When Intelagard was founded in 1991 the company designed
stationary compressed air foam (CAF) systems to protect homes
in high-risk areas from wildfires. Intelagard developed a
proprietary method of creating compressed air foam, resulting
in a very uniform bubble structure allowing the foam to adhere
better and “live” longer.
Firefighters were impressed with the residential systems and
requested a smaller system be developed. This resulted in the
first miniature compressed air foam system.
Fluorinated, or PFAS-containing, firefighting foam concentrates such as AFFF, AR-AFFF, FFFP, AR-FFFP, FP, and AR-FP contain small amounts of fluorinated surfactants. Fluorinated surfactants are key raw materials within many foam concentrates that substantially reduce surface tension, enabling rapid extinguishment, low fuel pick-up as well as superior post-fire security and protection. This Notice is issued as a reminder concerning the use, discharge, and disposal of firefighting foam products containing fluorinated surfactants.
As has been advised previously, these firefighting foam products may leave a fluorosurfactant chain, including certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in the environment which can persist and potentially reach groundwater, including drinking water. In 2016, the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) issued a Final Lifetime Health Advisory relating to the levels of certain PFAS, specifically PFOA and PFOS, which potentially may be found in drinking water, and various Countries, States, and Territories have been setting their own levels, laws, and regulations concerning PFAS. The regulatory landscape concerning PFAS and firefighting foam continues to evolve, with additional regulatory agencies reviewing the issues and some Countries, States, and Territories or agencies setting or considering drinking water levels that are lower than the US EPA’s levels. The EPA’s health advisories containing its views relating to PFOA and PFOS may be found via the link below. PFAS are ubiquitous in the environment and may be found in many commonly used products, in addition to firefighting foam products. Certain PFAS also may break down in the environment to form other PFAS chemicals. The applicable Safety Data Sheets (SDS), Guidance Documents, and Technical Bulletins, as well as EPA’s health advisories and any laws, regulations, and codes concerning PFAS or firefighting foam products applicable in your area, should continue to be consulted before usage, discharge, and disposal of these products.
As has been previously advised and following these regulatory developments, care should continue to be taken to avoid or minimize when possible the uncontrolled use, discharge or disposal of the product into the environment, including waterways. In addition, we remind our customers that for many years training foams not formulated with fluorinated surfactants have been available for use during training to simulate the usage of a variety of these products. These training foams should continue to be strongly considered for use during training.
If any foam product is released into the environment, efforts should continue to be made to control, contain and collect the discharge for proper disposal, while following all applicable laws, regulations, and codes.
As a further resource concerning the use, discharge, and disposal of these products, we remind our customers also to consult the Fire Fighting Foam Coalition’s (FFFC) Best Practice Guidance for Use of Class B Firefighting Foam and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Code 11, including its Annex E, entitled, “Foam Environmental Issues”.
External Resources (accuracy of external links cannot be guaranteed)
EPA health advisories:
Muni®F3 Green Plus 3% is a superior synthetic fluorine free foam concentrate, designed for municipal firefighters on Class A and B fires. The UL/ULC listing for Muni®F3 Green Plus 3% covers various blends of gasoline from unblended (i.e. sport racing) through, E5, E10 and up to E15 (i.e. 15% ethanol/gasoline blend).
Muni®F3 Green Plus is GreenScreen certified*, assuring that no regrettable chemical substitutes have been used in the formulation. MuniF3 Green Plus 3% is a patented formulation producing a vapour sealing blanket of foam that rapidly spreads over the surface of the fuel to provide rapid control and extinguishment.
- Unique patented formulation only available from National Foam.
- Specifically designed for municipal responders
- Fluorine free – can be used where traditional fluorinated products cannot be used.
- No intentionally added PFAS (PFOA ,PFOS) chemicals
- UL / ULC listed
- UL / ULC cross listed with the JS-10 handline foam nozzle
- GreenScreen certified ensuring no chemicals of high concern have been used in the formulation.
- Low viscosity to ensure easy induction
- 100% biodegradable
*GreenScreen Certified™ is an independent, non-profit certification that promotes the use of inherently safer chemicals in products and manufacturing.
Universal®F3 Green 3%-3%
Alcohol Resistant Synthetic
Universal®F3 Green 3%-3% is a superior quality 3% synthetic fluorine-free (FF) foam concentrate, designed for extinguishing and securing Class A and Class B chemical fires. Universal®F3Green 3%-3% has been designed specifically for general emergency responders who are faced with a variety of risks in a range of situations.
Universal®F3 Green 3%-3% is a patented combination of surfactants and other ingredients to produce a vapor-sealing blanket of foam that rapidly spreads over the surface of the fuel to provide rapid control and extinguishment.
- Unique patented formulation is only available from National Foam.
- Specifically designed for local authority and municipal responders.
- UL listed
- Lastfire
- Approved to EN1568 part 3 and 4 on all fuels and all water types
*GreenScreen Certified™ is an independent, non-profit certification that promotes the use of inherently safer chemicals in products and manufacturing. Until today no certification existed for PFAS-free firefighting foam products, or that evaluated all chemicals used in these products for their human and environmental health hazards,” highlighted Dr. Mark S. Rossi, Executive Director of the non-profit organization, Clean Production Action.
National Foam’s Avio F3 Green KHC is a new breakthrough in the aviation industry. This 100% biodegradable product is the world’s first film-forming fluorine-free foam with ICAO Level C certification.
Avio F3 Green KHC has been designed for extinguishing and securing flammable aviation fuel spills and fires (Jet A and Jet A1).
- Film-forming fluorine-free foam with ICAO Level C certification
- For use on flammable Jet A and Jet A1 aviation fuels
- Green Screen certified Fast knock-down and extinguishment meeting the requirements of ICAO level C
- True Newtonian, flows like water to ensure accurate, easy induction and airport crash vehicle compatibility
- Fluorine free to meet airport policy on minimizing environmental persistence
- For various induction rates, see datasheets.
*GreenScreen Certified™ is an independent, non-profit certification that promotes the use of inherently safer chemicals in products and manufacturing. Until today no certification existed for PFAS-free firefighting foam products, or that evaluated all chemicals used in these products for their human and environmental health hazards,” highlighted Dr. Mark S. Rossi, Executive Director of the non-profit organization, Clean Production Action.
- Meets USDA Forest Service Requirement per Specification 5100-307
- Environmentally responsible formulation
- U.L. Listed as a Wetting Agent, at substantially lower usage rates than most Wetting Agents
- Premix is stable for more than 30 days (using potable water), which is significantly longer than traditional Class A foam solutions.
- Emulsifies Class B Hydrocarbon fuels
- Contains NO alcohols for higher flash point and compatibility with Class A/B Systems
- Can be used with fresh, brackish, and seawater, plus exhibits good foamability, even in cold water
Environmentally responsible Knockdown®, Class A foam concentrate, is a unique new formulation providing unmatched firefighting performance and flexibility. Knockdown is specially designed for use in Class A/B foam systems and is excellent for Compressed Air Foam Systems (CAFS). This environmentally responsible formulation does not contain reportable components under SARA Title III, Section 313 of 40 CFR-372, or CERCLA.
Knockdown works in two ways. First, it improves the penetrating capability of water. It reduces the surface tension of plain water which allows it to penetrate surfaces where water might normally run off, to reach deep-seated fires.
This helps reduce the amount of water required to extinguish the fire and also provides quicker knockdown.
Secondly, Knockdown increases the heat-absorbing capabilities of water. Foaming ingredients give water the ability to adhere to vertical surfaces which allows the water longer contact with the fuel. The longer the water is in contact with the fuel, the more heat it is able to absorb. A coating of Class A foam may also be used for exposure protection to prevent fuels from igniting by raising their moisture content and providing a tough protective barrier to an oncoming flame front.