Technical Foam Fire Extinguisher Questions & Answers

1.  How should a foam-extinguishing agent be applied to a burning class "B" liquid? A general rule when using a foam fire extinguisher, the most effective way for a foam agent to be applied, is in a gentle manner that does not aggravate or plunge the foam solution down into the fuel surface where it can become contaminated with the fuel. Put out the fire is often best accomplished with a gentle sweeping action of the discharge or better yet, by applying the foam agent against an obstacle within the hazard or against the backside of a container where the foam solution can flow gently down onto and over the surface of the fuel.   2.  Can "Universal Ultra" foam be simultaneously used and applied with dry chemical agents? Yes-"Universal Ultra " foam can work very effectively with dry chemical agents during fire situations, especially when the foam solution is applied to a flame free class "A" or class "B" flammable liquid fuel surface that has been extinguished with dry chemical.   3.  What type of water should be utilized, when recharging a hand portable foam fire extinguisher? Because the quality and stability of a foam solution it is often directly related to the water used when recharged, Badger Fire Extinguishers recommends that only fresh potable (drinking) water be used for recharge.   4.  What is the basic difference between a FFFP and AFFF type of foam? The FFFP(Film Forming Fluoro-Protein) foams have an organic protein base typically comprised of hydrolyzed waste materials such as chicken feathers, explaining the solution stability, smell and clean up issues often associated with their use. The AFFF's ( Aqueous Film Forming Foams) utilize biodegradable synthetic base materials that are more stable and desirable to work with. 5.  Is the "Universal Ultra" foam environmentally safe? Yes - Universal Ultra is non-toxic and biodegradable. It also contains no ingredients reportable under the Superfund Amendments & Reauthorization Act (SARA) or Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation & Liability Act (CERCLA).   6.  What is the shelf life of the "Universal Ultra" foam concentrate charges? If stored in the original sealed concentrate container between the recommended temperature limitations of 35F to 120F, the shelf life will be a minimum of 15 years. Outdated or questionable concentrate charges can sometimes be utilized in training evolutions. 7.  How does the new Badger "Universal Ultra" foam work on water miscible polar solvent types of fuels? Badgers new "Universal Ultra" foam contains a special biosynthesized polymer, which forms a protective surface membrane that enables the discharged foam solution to bond and float, even upon water miscible types of liquid fuels. 8.  How can I determine if a class "B" liquid fuel is a hydrocarbon or polar solvent? In lieu of running laboratory tests, obtain a copy of the MSDS for the fuel.  The MSDS will specifically identify the type of fuel it is and provide recommendations for the proper type of foam fire extinguishing agent that should be utilized. 9.  Are foam agents suitable for all class "B" hazards? NO - Foam agents are best suited to address flammable liquid class "B" hazards where the fuel is in a horizontal state. Foam agents work by floating on the fuel surface to effectively create a barrier between the fuel and oxygen, foams work best when the liquid fuel is horizontally situated such as in a spill, fuel-in-depth or obstacle hazard configuration. 10.  What is the shelf life of the "Universal Ultra' foam solution within an extinguisher? While initial testing has indicated that our foam agent pre-mix solution should retain its original fire fighting performance for six years, the NFPA regulations specify much shorter intervals. The 1998 NFPA-10 regulations require foam agent solutions to be replaced every three years or that an annual analysis be performed upon them. The costs associated with conducting an annual foam agent analysis are typically not practical for the limited agent quantities associated with hand portables. (Reference 1998 NFPA-10 paragraph 4-5.2.3) 11.   What is the proper way to clean up a foam discharge? The limited quantity of foam solution discharged from a hand portable foam fire extinguisher does not normally represent much concern or create any problems with ground water run off or sewage treatment systems if they are flushed away with water. The primary concern is typically associated with addressing the handling of the remaining fuel involved within a spill or fire situation. The recommendations contained on the fuel's MSDS and the local authority having jurisdiction should be followed. 12.   Can anti freeze additives be utilized within a  foam extinguisherto lower it operating temperature limitation? NO-This would violate NFPA-10 requirements and void the approval agency manifest along with the manufacturer’s warranty. The problem with such additives is that they may cause hardware material compatibility problems within a pressurized container, which is often not visually apparent. Freezing point depressant additives are also often detrimental to the fire fighting performance of a foam agent solution.   14.  Can I substitute or mix "Universal Ultra" concentrate with other AR-AFFF types of foam concentrates? NO- You should never substitute or mix any foam agents within the same extinguisher. To ensure hardware material compatibility and optimum fire fighting performance, only fill a foam fire extinguisher with the specific type and volume of foam concentrate charge specifically identified on the extinguisher's nameplate.   15. Will all foam agents work on all class "B" liquid fuels? NO - Some foam agents will only work on hydrocarbon types of liquid fuels that do not mix with water, while others have special additives that allow them  work on water miscible polar solvent types fuels like alcohol's, which mix with water based agents. The universal or dual-purpose foam agent solutions like Badger's "Universal Ultra " are often identified with an "Alcohol Resistant" or "AR" designation.   16. How much foam should be applied to a liquid fuel surface to suppress combustible vapors? Many variables affect the coverage and seal-ability of a foam blanket such as the type of fuel, the temperature and wind conditions. The general rule of thumb for a film forming type of foam is that there should always be a visual foam blanket covering the fuel to be safe. When conditions dictate, additional foam should be applied to any fuel areas where the foam is not visually apparent.

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