1. Section IV Foam Application and Operations
Foam Firefighting
Section IV
Foam Application and Operations
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

2. Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Objectives
Discuss the principals and considerations for fighting Class A fires.
Dispel myths surrounding Class A foam
Discuss Class A Foam for structural fire attack.
Discuss the effectiveness of Class A foam for exposure protection.
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

3. Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Objectives
Discuss Class A foam’s benefits during overhaul.
Define the principals of Class B fire attack.
Discuss the techniques of Class B foam application.
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

4. Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Objectives
Discuss considerations for after foam is applied
Discuss the strategies for exposure protection for Class B fire incidents.
Discuss water supply considerations.
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

5. Principals and Considerations for Fighting Class A Fires
Class A foam is biodegradable when used in small ratios of %.
Considerations should still be made to keep runoff out of sewers lakes and streams.
Use proper PPE when handling concentrates.
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

6. Principals and Considerations for Fighting Class A Fires
Clean PPE thoroughly if it has been soaked in concentrates.
Have backup lines in operation when high energy foam systems are in use.
Foam proportioning ratios can be tailored to suit the job.
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

7. Class A Foam Common Myth
Some people have promoted the theory that 200 of a foam solution aspirated to a 10:1 expansion ration actually gives you the fire protection capability of 2,000 gallons of water.
False
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

8. Class A Foam Myth Dispelled
Class A foam only makes water more efficient at soaking into the fuel and absorbing heat.
Less water is required to extinguish a fire than if plain water is used.
It does not create more water!!!
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

9. Class A Foam Common Myth
Foam lines may be flowed at lower application rates or from smaller hose lines than those of plain water.
False
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

10. Class A Foam Myth Dispelled
There is no reputable scientific data to prove this point.
Shorter discharge times results in less water being used.
It is recommended that foam solution flow rates and hose sizes be the same as the generally accepted flow rates and hose sizes for plain water.
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

11. Class A Foam and Structural Fire Attack
Most effective on interior fire attacks.
Must be applied directly to the burning material to be most effective.
Helps maintain visibility due to less steam conversion.
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

12. Class A Foam and Structural Fire Attack
When using Class A foam for an interior attack use with either a direct or combination attack.
Reduces time a fire stream needs to be applied.
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

13. Class A Foam and Structural Fire Attack
Fog nozzles should be used on low energy foam lines.
Fog or smoothbore nozzles may be used with CAFS systems.
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

14. Class A Foam and Structural Fire Attack
CAFS fire streams are well suited for exterior fire attacks.
The extended reach assures that the foam is being delivered deep into the structure.
The fire can be knocked down quickly from a window or a doorway.
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

15. Class A Foam and exposure Protection
Excellent for protecting exposures.
Insulating properties protect unburned areas.
Type 2 or Type 3 foam is recommended
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

16. Class A Foam Overhaul Operations
Class A foam exhibits some of it’s greatest benefits during overhaul operations.
Applied in the same fashion as water with standard nozzles and techniques.
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

17. Class A Foam Overhaul Operations
Drastically reduces the amount of water used.
Limited runoff
Less water damage
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

18. Class A Foam Overhaul Operations
Thermal blocking occurs when concealed hot spots contain enough heat to turn small amounts of penetrating water into steam.
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

19. Class A Foam Overhaul Operations
The use of foam helps defeat the phenomenon of thermal blocking by enabling more water to penetrate deeper and speed the cooling process.
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

20. Principals of Class B Fire Attack.
Size of the fire
Type of fuel
Required application rate
Amount of foam concentrate needed and available
Ability to deliver and sustain the required foam rate
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

21. Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Size of the Fire
Almost always involve the entire surface of an exposed fuel.
May remain that size throughout the duration of the incident.
Coincidently the size of the fire is fairly constant throughout the incident.
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

22. Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Size of the Fire
Determining the size of the fire in a circular enclosure in square feet.
Area = 3.14 X Radius²
Determining the size of the fire in a square or rectangular enclosure in square feet.
Area = Length X Width
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

23. Size of the Fire If the Fire Involves a Spill Area
Determine the maximum length and width of the spill and multiply by those numbers
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

24. Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Type of Fuel
Hydrocarbon
Polar Solvent
Toxic or Non Toxic
Water Reactive
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

25. Application Rate
Sq ft (X) 0.1 for Hydrocarbons = Application Rate in GPM
Sq ft (X) 0.2 for Polar Solvents = Application Rate in GPM
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

26. Amount of Foam Concentrate
Application Rate (In GPM) X
Discharge time (15 min)
Proportioning Rate (.03 or .06) =
Concentrate Required
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

27. Ability to Deliver and Sustain the Required Foam Rate
Have enough foam on hand
Have enough water
GPM (X) 15 min (–) Concentrate Required = Water Required
Have the proper equipment to flow the required application rate.
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

28. Techniques of Class B Foam Application.
Air Aspirated Foam
Non Air Aspirated
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

29. Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Air Aspirated Foam
Advantages
Foam is longer lasting.
Longer drainage time.
Highest quality.
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

30. Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Air Aspirated Foam
Disadvantages
Short Reach
Affected by wind conditions
Nozzles can be bulky and may be single purpose.
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

31. Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Non Air Aspirated Foam
Advantages
Can be applied through any standard fog nozzle.
Greater reach and penetrating power
Faster knockdown in lab tests.
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

32. Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Non Air Aspirated Foam
Disadvantages
Will not form as thick of a blanket.
Requires more frequent re-application.
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

33. Manual Application Techniques
Roll On Method (roll foam onto leading edge of spill or fire and roll foam toward the back).
Bank Down Method (hit an elevated object above the spill or fire).
Rain Down Method (foam is sprayed above and is rained down on spill or fire).
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

34. Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Exposure Protection
Not different from structural fire exposure protection.
Judgmental decision based on the situation.
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

35. Colleton County Fire-Rescue
After Foam is Applied
Protect your foam blanket at all costs.
Insure that no smoking or other sources of ignition around the blanket.
Insure that blanket is not broken, walked or driven through.
Insure that your hoses are not part of the spill.
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

36. Situations to Consider Exposure Protection
A large fire that cannot be immediately extinguished.
Employing a nonintervention strategy.
Extremely sensitive structures. (fuel tanks, etc)
Structures in the vicinity showing the effects of exposure to the fire.
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

37. Factors That Determine the Danger of an Exposure
Amount and intensity of the original fire.
Proximity of the exposure to the fire.
Wind and weather conditions.
Composition of the exterior of the exposure.
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

38. Water Supply Considerations
Foam operations usually require significant amounts of water.
Have the required water available before beginning foam operations.
Rule of thumb is 1 gallon per min for every 10 sq ft.
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

39. Water Supply Considerations
Questions to ask
What is my water requirements?
What is my water supply available?
Does access to the scene inhibit my ability to deliver the required flow?
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

40. Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Summary
Principals and considerations for fighting Class A and Class B fires vary.
There are may myths myths surrounding Class A foam
Class A Foam is an effective tactic for structural fire attack, exposure protection and overhaul.
Techniques of Class B foam application vary with the prescribed application and take in account many considerations .
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

41. Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Summary
What are the considerations after Class B foam is applied?
Exposure protection for Class B fire incidents are integral to an effective incident management strategy.
Water supply considerations for Class B Foam operations.
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

42. Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Questions???
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division

43. Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Acknowledgements
IFSTA Principals of Foam Firefighting 1st Edition, 1996
Dominic Colletti, Class A Foam-Best Practice for Structural Firefighters, 1998
Various Web Sources
Task Force Tips
Elkhart Brass Manufacturing
Operations Chief David A Greene
Colleton County Fire-Rescue
Training Division