Concentrates …

W + Conc + A + A = Foam (Bubbles)

Concentrates – Oh Boy!!!

Water is water, air is air and agitation is agitation – but concentrates?

There are two kinds of concentrates used in the fire service – those that foam, and those that do not.

All concentrates come in similar 5-gal buckets, those that foam make the same looking white bubbles.

But the chemistry in those similar buckets is quite different, and thus, the confusion when it comes to making bubbles to fight fire.

Concentrates have one purpose – to modify/enhance the water for a specific purpose. Chemistry!!!

NOTE: Here at CompressedAirFoam.com, we are dedicated to the promotion of the use of Class A Foam and CAF in firefighting for the purpose of firefighter safety.

However, with all the recent and ongoing changes and confusion going on in the concentrate world, it has been decided to discuss all forms of concentrates to ensure that the firefighting world has the truth available in making tactical and purchasing decisions.

[add the concentrate chart here – coming soon!!!!]

Read on to wade through the world of Firefighting Concentrates and learn the specific enhancement purposes of the different concentrates.

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Concentrates – Basic Facts/Properties

Foam vs Non-Foam – What’s in a name? Class A “Foam” is a foam concentrate and if it is a quality product, will make bubbles. Ditto for A/B “Foam” and B “Foam”. If the product name does not say “Foam”, it is probably a “non-foam” product meaning it will not make bubbles. To make Foam, …

Fluorinated Foams

Fluorinated type foam concentrates entered the market in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s as the end all beat all product for Class B (only) fires. Fluorine foam concentrates were never intended for use on Class A fires. Fluorine foams varied for hydrocarbon types – alcohol or non-alcohol and basically worked by creating a film …

Gels

Not a foam. Gel is designed for protection, and while long lasting for protection, offers no enhancement over plain water for suppression. Gels work by encapsulating the water drops to hold them in place. Since the water is surrounded by the gel, the gel may slightly inhibit heat absorption, as the heat must break through …

How to Purchase Foam Concentrate

So many departments & agencies purchase foam concentrate based either on price alone, or on the slick tactics of the sales person or both. Often times these products are not actually Class A Foam, or they do not provide adequate foam to do all the necessary jobs of firefighting and protecting structures. Here are a …

Performance Evaluation – DIY

Concentrate Performance Evaluation – DIY READ THE SDS, CHECK THE QPL, CHECK AHJ!!!! There are no national performance standards for Class A Foam. Therefore, there are no standard performance tests for Class A Foam. And, since testing is a process of comparing a product to a standard, it is technically not testing. So, technically, this …

Wetting Agents

Not a Foam. Wetting agents are specifically designed concentrates to enhance water by reducing the surface tension, but are not designed to make foam (bubbles). Wetting agents were the original Class A water enhancement products before Class A Foam concentrate was introduced. Wetting agents aid in wetting fuels, but there is no other added enhancement …

Concentrates

W + Conc + A + A = F (Bubbles) There are many Foam Concentrates on the market. There are also products available that are marketed as good foam products that are not actually foam concentrates at all. To make Foam, at a minimum, the Concentrate must 1) mix with Water, 2) Produce a variety …