Overview Of Department Foam Systems

Question 1

What are the two types of class B foams used in FFX?

Answer 1

National Universal Plus 3-6% AR-AFFF

Williams Thunderstorm ATC 1-3% AR-AFFF

Question 2

What type of class B Foam is used by All E-One and Volunteer owned apparatus?

Answer 2

Universal Plus 3-6%

Question 3

What brand of class B foam is used in all Pierce Engines?

Answer 3

Williams Thunderstorm 1-3%

Question 4

What Nozzle has become the standard foam application device for foam application using the E-One Feecon foam system?

Answer 4

The fog nozzle. While this is acceptable for the E-one, it is not compatible with other foam induction systems.

Question 5

What is imperative when choosing a nozzle for a Venturi style proportioning system?

Answer 5

The nozzle flow must match the flow of the educator.

Question 6

Because modern foams require less energy to produce a finished foam, making it is possible to achieve what two styles of nozzles?

Answer 6

Air aspirating and non-air aspirating.

Question 7

All foams in FFX are AR-AFFF. What does AR-AFFF stand for?

Answer 7

Alcohol resistant aqueous film forming foam

Question 8

What properties are a characteristic of a AR-AFFF?

Answer 8

Good knock down ability, heat resistance, fuel tolerance, vapor suppression and alcohol resistance

Question 9

What chemicals typically comprise class B foams?

Answer 9

Class B foam is typically compromised special flaurochemical and hydrocarbon surfactants, hi molecular weight polymers, and solvents

Question 10

What three fire extinguishing mechanisms does class B foam use?

Answer 10

1. An aqueous film is formed on a conventional hydrocarbon fuel, or a polymeric membrane is formed on a polar solvent fuel. This film or membrane forms a barrier to help prevent the release of fuel vapors
2. A blanket is formed that excludes oxygen and drains the liquids forming the films.
3. The water content cools

Question 11

What type of foam system is used in the E-one reserve fleet?

Answer 11

Feecon around the pump system. They feature:
Variable flows gpm
Variable discharge pressures
No back pressure restriction
Not affected by hose length or elevation
No nozzle restriction

Question 12

What nozzles can be used with the E1 reserve fleet to flow foam?

Answer 12

Akron assault nozzle and JS10 air aspirating nozzle.

• operator should calculate and pump the hand lines and nozzles at the appropriate pressure and flow rate for the selected nozzle.

Question 13

What type of foam system is used in pre-2012 Pierce engines?

Answer 13

The pierce engine has an Akron 95 GPM truck foam system. This is a single discharge inline in doctor delivery system dedicated to the front bumper line.

Question 14

When using a pre-2012 pierce engine with an Akron 95 GPM foam system, what is the required psi and max hose lay for 1% and 3% foam concentrations?

Answer 14

The educator is suppled at 200 psi with a max hose lay of 350’ at 1% and 250’ at 3%.

Question 15

When using a pre-2012 pierce engine with an Akron 95 GPM foam system, what nozzle should be used?

Answer 15

Foam application with this system should be accomplished by utilizing a JS 10 air aspirating foam nozzle with the Akron bail/shut off. 

Question 16

What foam system is used in the newest pierce engines?

Answer 16

The newest pierce engines will have the husky 3 foam delivery system. This is an injection style system where foam concentrate is added at the discharge and will also be dedicated to the front bumper line.

Question 17

What is the Flow capability of the Husky three foam system and the newest Pierce engines?

Answer 17

This foam system is capable of 300 GPM at 1% foam application and 100 GPM at 3% foam application.

Question 18

When using the newest pierce engines with the Husky 3 foam system, what nozzles are compatible for use?

Answer 18

Both the Akron assault nozzle and JS 10 are compatible with the system, however application percentage should be taken into consideration when selecting your nozzle for foam operations.
300 gpm @ 1% = Akron assault
100 gpm @ 3% = JS-10

Question 19

What type of Portable in-line educators does Fairfax use for every engine company?

Answer 19

National foam HLP-9M. The style inductor must be positioned to receive 200 PSI inlet pressure with a max hose lay of 200 feet on the outlet side of the reductor regardless of foam concentration.

Question 20

What nozzle should be used when operating with the portable in line eductor?

Answer 20

The JS 10 air aspirating foam nozzle with the Akron bail/shut off

Question 21

What foam systems are equipped on the CAFS engines?

Answer 21

Husky 12 – Hercules foam system. This is an ejection style foam system where foam concentrate is added at the discharge.

Question 22

What is the flow capability when using class B foam in a CAFS engine?

Answer 22

The Husky 12 foam system is capable of 1000 GPM at 1% and 400 GPM at 3% class B foam

Question 23

What nozzles should be utilized to flow form from a CAFS engine?

Answer 23

Both the Akron assault nozzle and JS 10 nozzles are compatible with the system

Question 24

What four engines currently contain class a foam and are also equipped with compressed air foam systems?

Answer 24

412, 416, 420 and 441

Question 25

What type of class A foam does Fairfax utilize?

Answer 25

Ansul Silv-ex Plus foam. This is a low, medium, and high expansion foam formulated from specialty hydrocarbon surfactance, stabilizers, corrosion inhibitors and solvents. It is proportioned between 0.1 to 1.0%

Question 26

What fire extinguishing mechanisms are in effect when using class A foam?

Answer 26

Reduction of surface tension for increased wedding and penetration characteristics for deep-seated class and fires.
Extended drain time providing longer surface wetting and reduced risk of reignition.
A foam blanket which provides an insulating barrier between the fuel and air, reflects heat, and cools the fuel.

Question 27

How is a class A foam solution applied (what nozzle, concentration rate)?

Answer 27

This application produces a milky form solution without aeration. It is supplied at a rate of 0.3% - 0.5%. The Akron assault nozzle is compatible for this application.

Question 28

How is class A foam mixed with both air and water when utilized for a CAFS fire attack?

Answer 28

This application consists of 2/3 water and 1/3 air with a class a foam application rate of 0.3%. The appearance should be sudsy and milky. The Akron assault smoothbore option is compatible with this application.
* a fog nozzle would break down the bubble production. 

Question 29

How is class A foam utilized in CAFS for overhaul and exposure protection? 

Answer 29

This application consists of 2/3 air and 1/3 water with a class a foam application rate of 0.5%. The finished product will be fluffy and sticky. The Akron a salt gated but with smooth bore slug removed is the best nozzle for this application.

Question 30

Recommended practices for foam systems:

Answer 30