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Quick Tips: Is it time to switch to PFAS-free fighting foam?

Some of the firefighting foams known as aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF), including alcohol-resistant aqueous film-forming foams (AR-AFFF), contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals.” Fluorine is the key ingredient in AFFF that is the source of PFAS. Firefighting foams that do not contain fluorine do not contain PFAS. PFAS can remain in the environment indefinitely, potentially causing health effects. The environmental and health concerns with PFAS have led to an increase in regulation at both the state and federal levels. As a result, PFAS are being phased out in the U.S. and across the globe, and research on fluorine-free alternatives has surged.

For decades, AFFF has been considered the best option for extinguishing fuel-based fires (Class B flammable liquid fires), and these foams are widely used in both the power generation and oil and gas industries. In AFFF, PFAS act as an effective surfactant that helps spread the foam. These foams are a source of PFAS contamination because of their deployment during fires, fire system testing and firefighter training. AFFF is commonly used at member power stations in foam water sprinkler systems, in tank foam extinguishing systems or for manual firefighting where oil and fuel oil hazards are present. Member utilities that have fire training facilities may have used AFFF during training exercises.

Manufacturers have been working on AFFF replacements for years, and there are many foam products currently available that claim to be made without fluorine (that is, without PFAS). But testing on many of these foams has shown that their performance fluctuates based on such variables as the delivery equipment or system, the fuel that is burning, the foam aspiration level, firefighting tactics and application techniques. Unlike with AFFF, the effectiveness of fluorine-free foams varies widely. The currently available fluorine-free foams are essentially new products with varying properties. As a result, the delivery systems will be different for each of these dissimilar products and will most likely require full replacement of the mechanical portion of an existing foam delivery system.   

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) have been working together for years to find an alternative firefighting agent to AFFF. In April, a new MILSPEC, MIL-PRF-32725, was released by the DoD for a new type of non-PFAS fluorine-free foam (F3). This MILSPEC establishes the performance, quality, properties and testing requirements for the fluorine-free foams that will be used to replace the current AFFF at DoD and FAA civil aviation facilities. Given the use level and purchasing power of these entities, foam manufacturers will be clamoring to have their products qualified and added to the Qualified Products Database. Once qualified, foam manufacturers will be able to advertise their products as MILSPEC foam. The qualification process can take up to 120 days. Currently, no fluorine-free foam has been qualified.

Why wait for a MILSPEC-qualified foam?

  • It establishes quality and consistency in performance and properties
  • It requires the same viscosity as AFFF, which could maximize the use of existing infrastructure
  • It evaluates toxicity and potential for human health impacts
  • It evaluates and documents performance limitations
  • It evaluates the potential for environmental impact 
  • It requires PFAS content of less than one part per billion (non-detectable)

As they wait for their AFFF to be replaced or removed from service, members should avoid any activities that could unnecessarily discharge that AFFF.

For more details and a deeper dive into PFAS issues, check out our most recent webinar on this topic. That webinar, and all of our webinars, can be found on AEGISlink.

Those interested in this topic, or in classroom and hands-on fire protection training, can sign up for our three-day, in-person AEGIS Loss Control Fire Protection Training Class being held at Oklahoma State University on October 17-19.