January 2008

Firefighting Field Notes

by Dominic Colletti

Class A Foam System: A Necessity For Safety

A short walk down any fire apparatus builder's production line will confirm that Class A foam injection systems are here to stay.

Another short stroll on any fire industry trade show floor illustrates a growing majority of new engines have some type of Class A foam proportioning units installed, most often electronically-controlled systems.

This begs the question, what about the remainder of new engines which do not?

One has to wonder why foam systems were not ordered when the apparatus was being built. Perhaps some fire apparatus committees don’t know about the benefits of Class A foam and, therefore, it was low on the list of priorities.

The single most compelling reason to add a Class A foam injection system to a new engine is to increase firefighter safety. The effect of using Class A foam in firefighting operations is well documented over the past 20 years. Simply by using a Class A foam additive to increase the capability of water to suppress fire, the result is that hose team exposure to heat and toxic products of combustion is lessened.

Class A foam makes the team more effective at extinguishing fire, inherently reducing stress and risk during firefighting operations since knock down can be accomplished in less time, compared to water-only fire attack.

While the use of Class A foam is in no way a cure-all panacea or silver-bullet, do not overlook its many benefits. The capability of the agent to make a positive stop on a fire, when applied in sufficient volume, is remarkable.

For just one example, during the interior structure fire attack, Class A foam blankets cling to interior surfaces, absorb heat, evaporate and drain foam solution onto hot fuel surfaces.

Experience has shown hose teams using Class A foam have less chance of finding fire at their backs when advancing a hose line from room to room in an aggressive offensive fire attack. Less chance of flashover reoccurring behind them is due to the superior fuel cooling and wetting characteristics provided by the agent.

Added benefits occur during overhaul operations. Foam solution applied during initial attack starts draining from the foam blanket immediately. It penetrates cracks and crevices between window and door moldings to begin extinguishing hidden and smoldering fire.

While overhaul time is reduced when Class A foam is used, breathing apparatus must still be worn during overhaul operations to prevent serious health problems. All too often, firefighters are quick to remove their masks, but it should be pointed out that this practice is a human error training issue, and it must be corrected. While an extensive check for hidden fires still needs to be conducted after applying Class A foam, less time conducting overhaul is normally required. This can lead to less crew exposure to the toxic byproducts of smoldering combustion.

Less time spent during initial fire attack and less labor during overhaul are two key benefits that should be near the top of the priority lists when considering increased firefighter safety when designing a new engine. The successful application of Class A foam can help reduce firefighter stress, an important consideration when we take into account cardiac events are significant contributors to firefighter fatalities on the job.

If you need some really good secondary reasons to install Class A foam systems on new engines, consider the fact it reduces fire and water damage from suppression activities for our customers. And let’s not forget the environmental conservation of water when using Class A foam.

Since fire is extinguished in less time, reduced total water supply is required for a given size fire – a real benefit if you carry your water supply to the fire in tankers or tenders.

Commentary has been made that future wars may be fought over water and water rights. As we look today at the drought conditions in the Southeast and watch the news, it seems like civil war over water rights might be in the future for some areas.

In drought-prone areas, environmental conservation of water is yet another good reason to install a Class A foam proportioner on a new engine.

As a last thought, when considering whether or not to purchase a Class A foam injection system on a new engine, think about this – would you consider seat belts as “optional” on a new apparatus? Of course not, they are major safety equipment.

Forward thinking firefighters are approaching the use of Class A foam in the same way – as a required safety device. So, when the apparatus committee debates “To suds or not” on a new engine, present the facts on Class A foam.

Remember to reinforce the firefighter safety benefits of using the technology.

Educational resources on Class A foam, including books and videos, can be found at Fire Protection Publications Web site, www.ifsta.org, and at the CAFS Institutes Web site at www.CAFSinstitute.org.

Stay safe, buckle-up and use Class A foam.

Editor’s Note: Dominic Colletti is the global foam systems product manager for Hale Products and the author of two books – “The Compressed Air Foam Systems Handbook” and “Class A Foam – Best Practice For Structure Firefighters.” Colletti is a former assistant fire chief in Royersford, Pa. and serves on the technical committee of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1500 Fire Department Occupation Safety and Health Program. He is an instructor specializing in CAFS implementation.

?Class A foam applications reduce the chance of fire at the attack team’s back as they aggressively advance a hose line from room to room. (Dominic Colletti Photo)