bvfa leaflet - Foam extinguishing systems and PFAS/fluorine ban
The European Commission has already regulated various per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the past. In addition, there are other legislative initiatives that will further restrict the use of PFAS. This has particular implications for the use of fluorinated foam fire extinguishing agents (AFFF). It must be assumed that fluorinated foam concentrates will only be used in the EU in the medium and long term [...]
The water extinguishing systems specialist group in the bvfa has produced this leaflet:
bvfa leaflet - Foam extinguishing systems and PFAS/fluorine ban
Gezamenlijke Brandweer Rotterdam – Vergabe der Ausschreibung – vaPUREx®AR 3x3 F-5 #8342 ausgewählt
We are proud that the Gezamenlijke Brandweer relies on our products and service.
vaPUREx AR 3x3 F-5 #8342:
- High-performance foam extinguishing agent for industrial fire brigades
- Fast availability & emergency deliveries
- Extensively tested PFAS-free foam extinguishing agent
Foam exercises: Practice with foam agents from Dr. STHAMER
Customers often tell us that foam exercises with our foam agents are prohibited. They refer to the statement in our Safety Data Sheet (SDS) that discharge into the sewer system is not allowed.
This connection is not quite correct:
-A Safety Data Sheet always applies only to the product in its delivered state - in this case, the foam concentrate! This means that the measures described in the Safety Data Sheet relate, for example, to a transport accident or product leakage during storage, or when handling the concentrate.
-The handling of the application solution for use or a foam exercise is not described here.
The instructions for handling the application solution can be found in the product data sheet. Among other things, we point out there the user's obligation to coordinate the discharge in advance with the disposal company (sewage treatment plant). For assessing the application solution, we offer degradation values in the product-related environmental data sheet for both the concentrate and the resulting application solution. The concentration of the application solution depends on the purpose of use and our dosage recommendation. Therefore, for discussing and assessing the discharge of foam after exercises, the values of the application solution found in our environmental data sheet should be considered.
Note card - Use of wetting agents for wildland fires
TI-068 Foam Concentrate Induction Rate Testing
For testing the induction rate with the respective proportioning system, we have prepared a Technical Information (in English), which can serve as a test recommendation and assistance.
Our latest ICAO Level B & C foam agents with NATO Stock Number!
vaPUREx® LV ICAO are foam agents that are 100% biodegradable. When foamed, the agents can be used for direct foam application on aviation fuels. Other fuels and oils used at airports can also be extinguished with vaPUREx® foam agents. The advanced formulations from new raw material combinations reduce the loading of the foam with fuel during direct foam application. The thin, Newtonian concentrates offer advantages in converting fire trucks and extinguishing systems from AFFF to F3 foam agents. The metering technology usually does not need to be adapted or reconfigured. Safe metering even at low product temperatures is ensured. For the conversion of stationary systems, we offer a separate consulting service. Additional additives can be added for the stabilization of premix.
No renewal of approval according to FM-5130 for STHAMEX-AFFF FXS AS 1% F-0 #2147, MOUSSOL FXS LV AS 1/1 F0 #2149; STHAMEX-AFFF FXS AS 3% F-0 #2354, and MOUSSOL FXS LV AS 3/3 F-0 #2356
The American property insurer Federal Mutual (FM) has changed the requirements of the test standard FM-5130 for foam extinguishing agents, to comply with current legislation regarding fluororganic compounds, as well as to accommodate the specifics of the new class of fluorine-free foam extinguishing agents.
The direct consequence is that the approval of all FM-approved foam extinguishing agents must be renewed.
Since we already decided in 2018 to phase out fluorine technology, we will not pursue re-approval for the aforementioned foam extinguishing agents.
If you have any of the above products in your FM-approved extinguishing system,
it may be necessary to refill the extinguishing agent to ensure the full operational capability of the system.
On the other hand, this is not possible if the designated extinguishing agent no longer has an FM listing.
We have contacted FM directly to obtain recommendations for action. They are as follows:
- Products that were installed in the field before the expiration of FM recognition (end of June 2023)
or produced as extinguishing agents will continue to be considered FM-compliant.
However, products that are not re-approved will lose their existing FM approval because they fall out of the FM monitoring program.
- If such a product needs to be refilled using a refill quota that was produced
before the implementation of the change in the test standard (mid-2023), the FM approval of the extinguishing agent and thus the system retains its full validity.
- If the refill quota was produced after the implementation of the change in FM-5130, technically, it is no longer an FM-approved product. In this case, however, refilling can be carried out in coordination with the FM inspection engineer authorized for the affected company, if the inspection engineer approves this refill.
This means for you: If a refill with one of our aforementioned products is pending or needs to be carried out, please first contact the FM inspection engineer responsible for you, who conducts the regular FM audits at your facility. He will work with you to determine under what circumstances a refill of the FM system with a no longer approved product is possible and will be approved by him.
We are available to answer any further questions on this matter.
Does fluorine-free mean free of fluorine
The topic of 'fluorine-free', or the presence or absence of organic fluorine compounds in foam agents, is currently a hot topic. It's the subject of various discussions, regulations, and a cause of significant uncertainty among users. To contribute to the clarification of the term 'fluorine-free', we have developed a technical information sheet.