HomeMy WebLinkAboutSOG 202.03 NEW 12-2013_Foam FF Ops202.03 — Foam Firefighting Operations
Effective. 12/5/2013
Revised:
Replaces:
I. Guiding PhilosophX
Within our level of capabilities, we strive to operate as safely and effectively as possible.
We commit ourselves to understanding and effectively utilizing the apparatus, equipment and
systems provided to help us successfully achieve our mission.
II. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to outline the standards for appropriate use of Class A, Class
B, and Compressed Air Foam Systems.
III. Goals
The goals of this policy are to provide guidelines for:
A. Responsibilities and operational proficiency of foam system capabilities and
resources.
B. Considerations for the use of Class A and Compressed Air Foam Systems
(CAFS).
C. Considerations for the use of Class B Foam Systems.
D. Foam application and tactical considerations.
IV. Definitions
A. CAFS — Acronym for Compressed Air Foam System.
B. Class A Fire — Occurs when the fuel source contains solid, organic material such
as wood, cloth, rubber, or some plastics. "Ordinary combustible" materials are the
most common type of fires.
C. Class A Foam — Class A foams were developed in the mid-1980s for fighting
wildfires. Class A foams lower the surface tension of the water, which assists in
the wetting and saturation of Class A fuels with water. This aids fire suppression
and can prevent re -ignition.
D. Class B Fire — Occurs when the fuel source contains flammable or combustible
liquid or gas.
E. Class B Foam — Class B foams were designed primarily for flammable liquid
fires. There are two major subtypes:
1. Synthetic — Synthetic foams provide better flow and faster knockdown
of flames, but limited vapor suppression.
2. Protein — Unlike synthetic foams, protein foams are bio -degradable.
They flow and spread slower, but provide a foam blanket that is more
heat -resistant and more durable.
F. Class C Fire — Occurs when the fuel source contains potentially energized
electrical equipment.
G. Class D Fire — Occurs when the fuel source contains burning metals which
include, but are not limited to: sodium, titanium, magnesium, potassium, uranium,
lithium, plutonium, and calcium.
H. Compressed Air Foam — Foam created by mixing air and water in-line before
the nozzle. This process has several advantages over standard Class A foam,
including:
1. Better control over foam composition (drier or wetter foam)
2. Lighter hose lines
3. Lower nozzle pressures
V. General Guidelines for Operational Proficienc
A. Operations Section Responsibilities
1. All Uniformed Personnel: Shall be familiar with and follow these
guidelines.
2. Company Officers: Shall be responsible for maintaining an adequate
level of proficiency in these procedures for their assigned personnel.
3. Chief Officers: Shall ensure adequate training and proficiency in these
procedures.
B. All members must make a commitment to proficiency in the proper maintenance,
use and application of the various foam systems capabilities available within the
department. Points to remember:
1. Different types of foams are used for their specific tactical and safety
advantages.
2. Members must understand the capabilities of the various types foam
used by the department to be proficient and effective in their use.
3. Different apparatus have slightly different types of foam systems based
on their varying design, make, and model.
a. Members will familiarize themselves with the foam capabilities of
the apparatus and equipment to which they are assigned each
shift.
b. Each morning during apparatus inspection, members should
mentally go through the step by step process(s) that would be
required to produce effective firefighting foam using his/her
assigned apparatus and equipment.
c. If unsure of the appropriate process(s), immediately request
assistance through your chain of command.
SOG 202.03 — Foam Firefighting Operations Page 2 of 7
4. Members should routinely preplan about possible situations where use of
foam would lead to more efficient and/or safer operations.
VI. Class A & CAFS Foam Considerations
A. Advantages of Class A & CAFS
1. Faster knockdown and extinguishment
2. Reduction in water used, thus increasing longevity of limited water
supplies
3. Increased stand-off distance, allowing agent application to begin faster
4. Immediate reduction of heat
5. Lighter, more maneuverable hose lines
6. Increased saturation of fuel loads
7. Decreased incidents of rekindle
8. Reduction in collateral damage (water/overhaul)
9. Can reduce firefighter stress and fatigue
B. Disadvantages of Class A & CAFS
1. Creation of slippery surfaces
2. Slug Flow Nozzle reaction can be erratic if foam solution is not
supplied
3. Clatter of hose line
4. Additional training required for proficient use
5. More complicated pumping procedures
6. Can complicate investigative efforts
C. Members should consider the use of Class A foam at any of the following
incident types:
D. Class A foam shouldbe used:
SOG 202.03 — Foam Firefighting Operations Page 3 of 7
E. Water quality will affect bubble production, so water conditions must be taken
into consideration during Class A foam production. If the system is not producing
foam that meets the needs of the situation, increase or decrease the percentage as
necessary. General application rates for Class A foam are:
1. Direct Attack= 0.5%
2. Overhaul = 0.2%
3. Exposure Protection = 1.0%
4. Brush (pre-treatment) = 1.0%
F. Compressed air foam (CAF) should be considered at any of the following fires if
G
VII. Class B Foam Considerations
A. Class B foam should be considered at any of the following types of flammable
liauid incidents:
SOG 202.03 — Foam Firefighting Operations Page 4 of 7
C. Safety and tactical considerations when encountering two-dimensional
combustible and flammable liquid incidents include:
1. Utilize ICS, accountability and full PPE, including SCBA.
2. Attack from uphill and upwind whenever possible.
3. Remember that foam lines do not provide any thermal protection from
heat for hand -line crews.
4. Minimize personnel in flammable liquid/rescue area I.`..9f."„
%1 5l l:; )l l "t';i 111;'.1 mf ii Z %I RE,1 !
5. Foam blankets conduct electricity l)„4 i ,Ilt' i” 11 j i, v' ""Lo iD(/ l !
6. Misuse of water at flammable liquids fire suppression operations is the
most common mistake — water causes break-up of the foam blanket.
7. Failure to apply enough foam on a fire for a sustained period is the next
prevalent mistake.
8. Vapor seal, once established, must be maintained.
9. Sun and wind break down foam, therefore the more foam that is applied
the longer it will blanket the area.
10. Continually blanket area if emergency service responders and victims
are in the spill or fire area.
11. Establish well -protected rescue path with back-up foam lines whenever
possible (foam should at least cover toe of boots
12. Remember foam will not generally extinguish a moving, spraying, or
pressurized flammable liquids, or a three-dimensional fire. DDr
chemicals are most likely to stop the combustion chain reaction of a
three-dimensional fire.
D. Class B Application Rates & Times
1. Insure the brober amount of foam resources is on -scene before
attempting to extinguish the fire!
2. There are five (5) basic considerations that will dictate the amount of
foam concentrate needed, application rate and time:
a. Surface Size (Best Estimate of FeW Length x Width)
b. Fuel Type (Hydrocarbon or Polar Solvent and characteristics)
c. Fuel Depth (Surface only spill vs. I " depth or greater)
d. Application Time Needed
e. Foam Coverage Disturbance (Wind, hostile flame damage,
convection columns may require more foam or more frequent
application)
3. After sizing up the incident and determining the square footage and fuel
type, the IC or Operations Section Chief should insure the appropriate
application rate formula is used to determine the amount of Class B
foam needed to mitigate the situation.
SOG 202.03 — Foam Firefighting Operations Page 5 of 7
E. There are three generally accepted techniques for Class B AR-AFFF foam
application:
1. Bounce Off Technique — When
foam nozzles are used, particular
care should be taken to apply the
foam as gently as possible. When
straight stream nozzles are used,
foam should be banked off of a
wall or other obstruction when
available.
2. Bank -In Technique — Foam can
also be rolled onto the fuel surface
by hitting the ground in front of
the spill, and allowing the foam to
"pile up" in front of the spill. The
velocity of the stream will roll the
foam onto the fuel.
3. Rain -down Technique — The foam
nozzle is directed almost straight
up and the foam stream is allowed
to reach its maximum height and
break into small droplets. The
nozzle operator must adjust the
altitude of the stream so that the
fallout pattern matches that of the
spill area. When not to use:
1 A minimum 15 minute application time is recommended by NFPA 11.
SOG 202.03 — Foam Firefighting Operations Page 6 of 7
Surface (Spill)
Size
App.
GPM
% Foam.
Gallons of
Foam
L W
Ft
Fuel Type
Rate
Solution
Concentrate
Concentrate
for ��15 rnih',.1
25'
25'
625 ft2
.10
62.5,
15
Hydrocarbon
.13
81.25
oa
30
25'
25'
625 ft2
Thunderstorm
.16
100
45
25'
25'
625 ft2
1%-3%
AR-AFFF
25'
25'
625 ft2
.16
100
45
Polar Solvent
.20
125
N
56.25
25'
25'
625 ft2
.24
150
67.5
25'
25'
625 ft2
E. There are three generally accepted techniques for Class B AR-AFFF foam
application:
1. Bounce Off Technique — When
foam nozzles are used, particular
care should be taken to apply the
foam as gently as possible. When
straight stream nozzles are used,
foam should be banked off of a
wall or other obstruction when
available.
2. Bank -In Technique — Foam can
also be rolled onto the fuel surface
by hitting the ground in front of
the spill, and allowing the foam to
"pile up" in front of the spill. The
velocity of the stream will roll the
foam onto the fuel.
3. Rain -down Technique — The foam
nozzle is directed almost straight
up and the foam stream is allowed
to reach its maximum height and
break into small droplets. The
nozzle operator must adjust the
altitude of the stream so that the
fallout pattern matches that of the
spill area. When not to use:
1 A minimum 15 minute application time is recommended by NFPA 11.
SOG 202.03 — Foam Firefighting Operations Page 6 of 7
a. If the fuel has had a significant pre -burn and a thermal column has
developed.
b. If the weather is severe (high winds).
F. Foam Application: What NOT to Do
1. E 1! 1 Pu PLU���I
Plunging the stream
directly into the fire can splash the fuel causing
the fire to spread. If a foam blanket exists,
plunging can break the existing blanket and
cause vapors to escape, causing re -ignition or
flare-ups.
2. EV1",P3 D1fPE F W,'11"F,FII�. 1'fPE,'1 I
W 111�,, V4 E f 0., ILAS " L E E ����l
Oflk. 1S 1PEll,IG ,APPLED! Do not use water
streams in such a way as to physically disrupt a foam blanket. Water
streams may be used to cool adjacent areas or as a fine spray to reduce
radiant heat.
G. Nozzle Person's Responsibilities
1. Be alert to dangers.
2. Procedure for Advancing Hose Lines
a. Firefighters located on same side of hose line.
b. Bleed air out of hose line before entering fire area.
c. Open bale slightly while waiting for water. Open and close nozzle
smoothly.
d. Select proper stream pattern.
3. Watch quality of foam stream and applies foam effectively.
4. Never let go of hose line or turn his/her back to the fire.
5. When fire is out, back away always facing the fire.
H. If the estimated amount of foam needed to mitigate the situation is more than the
department's capability then the Incident Commander will request activation of
the Sabine -Neches Chiefs Association. He/she should include:
1. Estimated amount of foam required
2. Other mutual aid resource needs (additional apparatus, personnel, etc.)
I. When requested by the IC, the Dispatcher will initiate SOG 501.05 -Sabine -
Neches Chiefs Association Activation to coordinate deployment of the necessary
resources.
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