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Foam agents for all fire classes

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are designed for extinguishing solid material (class A) fires such as wood, paper, textiles, coal, hay, cotton, some types of plastics, tyres.
The use of Class B foam agents can quickly and reliably extinguish fires involving liquid and liquefiable substances. Fuels of Class B must be differentiated into non-polar (not miscible with water) liquids (e.g., gasoline, diesel, kerosene, oil, etc.) and polar (miscible with water) liquids (methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, etc.). The polarity of the fuels is crucial for the selection of applicable foam agents.
are used to extinguish burning edible oils and fats in private and commercial kitchens easy and safe.

Foam types

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The Compressed Air Foam System, or CAFS, is a technology used to generate compressed air foam. Unlike traditional methods, where the foam concentrate is mixed into the water stream and then aerated using a nozzle and ambient air, CAFS mixes all three components (air, water, and foam concentrate) in a mixing chamber. This approach differentiates CAFS from conventional foam generation techniques, such as the free intake of air typical for heavy foam nozzles or air blending with fans as seen in light foam generators. In CAFS technology, the mixture of all three media (air, water, and foam concentrate) occurs in a mixing chamber. The independent control of all three media streams allows for highly flexible manipulation of the foam properties. Foam can be made wet, soft, and flowing, or dry, stiff, and highly adhesive.
 
One significant advantage of CAFS, in addition to the flexible control of foam properties, is its extended reach and water savings of up to 80% compared to conventional water-based firefighting methods. This enables quick extinguishment of fires even with limited water resources, significantly reducing water damage. The overall lighter weight (approximately 25% less than water) further enhances the mobility of the attack team.
   
CAFS is particularly valued for its versatile application possibilities in mobile municipal firefighting, for both exterior and interior attacks in building fires, as well as in forest and wildland fires. Firefighting is carried out using wet compressed air foam as needed, while dry compressed air foam is used for property protection and covering already extinguished areas. In the industrial sector, the long reach of CAFS allows for safe firefighting from a distance. Additionally, compressed air foam can be used to flood conveyor and ventilation shafts. Thanks to the propulsion provided by compressed air and its lighter weight, it can be transported much higher than conventional foam.
Wetting agents are additives mixed with water in very small amounts (<0.5%) that significantly enhance the extinguishing effect of the water. Wetting water has a greatly reduced surface tension, which decreases the interfacial tension between water and solid materials. This breaks the droplet form of the water, creating a thin, spreading film of water on the surface of the burning material.
Inside Air Foam (IAF) is generated with special foam concentrates and light foam generators in enclosed spaces, such as warehouses or engine rooms. IAF systems use the hot, combustion-product-laden gases from the fire event for foaming. This immediately binds the smoke gases and cools the surrounding atmosphere. This firefighting method does not require an external air supply or exhaust openings, making the structural requirements for IAF systems potentially more cost-effective compared to conventional light foam systems.
   
This method places specific demands on the extinguishing agent, as heat, smoke particles, acidic combustion gases, and other pyrolysis products are highly destructive to foam. Therefore, only special IAF foam extinguishing agents can be used for this process; conventional foam agents are not suitable. The suitability of foam extinguishing agents must be proven for each project with the respective fuels through a hot test. Special medium-expansion foam generators, developed for industrial fire protection, operate with approximately 25- to 35-fold expansion in the lower medium-expansion foam range and can achieve throw distances of up to around 35 meters.
High-expansion foam has an enormous foam volume yet is very light. It contains a very high air content, resulting in coarse bubbles and a particularly "dry" appearance. Due to its large volume and low weight, high-expansion foam cannot be "thrown." Its extinguishing effect is primarily based on its separation, insulation, and displacement effects. These extinguishing effects are further enhanced by the relatively high foam destruction rate (bursting of the foam bubbles). This releases tiny water droplets, which immediately evaporate due to the high combustion temperatures, forming 1,700 times their volume of water vapor. The surrounding air is cooled accordingly. High-expansion foam is produced using high-expansion foam generators.
   
High expansion foam works by displacing air or oxygen. Due to its low volumetric weight, light foam should only be used in enclosed spaces, as it would otherwise be carried away by thermal currents or other air movements.
   
Due to the very high expansion ratio of up to 1000 liters of foam from one liter of foam concentrate solution, even the largest spaces, such as airplane hangars or warehouses, can be completely flooded with light foam in a short time. The water content in the foam is so low that water damage is practically eliminated. When used preventively, light foam displaces flammable gases and provides effective protection against flames and heat exposure.
Depending on the expansion ratio, "wet" fine-bubbled foam or "dry" coarse-bubbled foam with low weight and high volume is produced. The extinguishing effect is primarily based on separation, cooling, and displacement effects. Medium-expansion foam is generated using medium-expansion or combination nozzles. In the nozzle, the foam concentrate solution mixes with the induced air, impacts a screen mesh installed in the nozzle under pressure, and is further foamed. This process quickly produces a large amount of foam, which can be built up to a considerable height.
   
Medium-expansion foam is particularly versatile due to its wide range of expansion ratios. With 50- to 100-fold expansion, it is effective against plastic, smoldering, and liquid fires. With 80- to 200-fold expansion, it is suitable for flooding shallow spaces such as channels, pits, and shafts, and anywhere rapid buildup of large quantities of foam is essential for extinguishing success. Medium-expansion foam can achieve throw distances of up to approximately 12 meters. It spreads, meaning it slowly covers the surface of burning materials within certain limits, forming a stable, closed, and gas-impermeable foam blanket.
Low expansion foam is a "wet," fine-bubbled foam with high weight and relatively low volume. It is highly flowable, burn-resistant, gas-tight, and particularly effective at preventing re-ignition. Heavy foam adheres well to vertical surfaces and quickly seals liquid surfaces in a gas-tight manner. Its extinguishing effect is primarily based on separation and cooling. In the case of F3 foam extinguishing agents, the separation effect is further enhanced by a polymer film.
   
Low expansion foam is generated in stationary installed systems or mobile through nozzles or foam monitors. Any installed screens or downstream enhancement sections, such as pourers, ensure that the foam concentrate solution is even better aerated with the induced air, resulting in a "stiffer," fine-bubbled foam.
   
Due to its excellent flowability, low expansion foam can be used to extinguish both liquid and solid fires. The foam spreads over the entire fire surface in a very short time, sealing it gas-tight.
   
For solid fires, its good adhesion to three-dimensional objects is particularly advantageous. Special foaming methods, such as CAFS, enhance this effect. When used preventively, low expansion foam suppresses the emission of flammable gases. The fire surfaces remain covered with a gas-tight, insulating, and cooling foam layer for an extended period. Due to its relatively high weight, low expansion foam can achieve large throw distances, allowing for firefighting from a safe distance.
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