History
Firefighting foam, also known as aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), has been used for decades to quickly extinguish hydrocarbon fuel fires. The foam works by coating the fuel source and preventing oxygen from reaching the fire. Early foam concentrates contained toxic perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) that were later linked to health issues. By the 1970s, newer fluorochemical foams without PFOS/PFOA became the standard for aircraft rescue firefighting (ARFF).
9/11 Tragedy Spurs Innovation
The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 exposed deficiencies in existing firefighting foams. When the World Trade Center towers collapsed, massive jet fuel fires erupted and burned uncontrollably for months without the foam effectively extinguishing them. This tragedy demonstrated the need for foam developers to improve flammability resistance and fuel separation capabilities.
It also highlighted the importance of fire suppression systems in high-risk structures like airports and oil/gas facilities. In the wake of 9/11, foam manufacturers intensified R&D efforts to formulate greener products with equal or better Firefighting Foams performance.
New Generation Foams Enter the Market
By the late 2000s, a new wave of EPA-approved AFFFs hit the market using short-chain and C6-based fluorosurfactants that break down faster in the environment. These “Green” foams were touted as having low or no PFOS/PFOA while maintaining the critical surface tension properties required for fast flame knockdown. Examples include solutions from Tyco Fire Protection, Angus Fire, National Foam and Solberg that quickly replaced the legacy foams in many applications. As environmental and health regulations tightened globally, Green foam became the preferred option and standard-setter for airport and industrial fire protection moving forward.
Advanced Applications Beyond Hydrocarbon Fires
While hydrocarbon fuel fires were the primary historical use, modern AFFFs have expanded capabilities against a wider range of hazards. New aqueous film forming fluoroprotein (AFFF-FP) solutions available since 2010 can suppress vapor phase fuels in addition to surface level liquid fires. Formulas from manufacturers such as Chemguard demonstrate effectiveness on flammable liquid gases and cryogenic fuels that pose risks in liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities, oil refineries and chemical plants.
Future Development Trends
Ongoing development of alternative fire suppression agents will likely influence future foam formulations. Fluorine-free foams not containing PFOA/PFOS are in the works, but face performance obstacles to match existing fluorinated solutions. Biodegradable synthetic surfactants may enable “green” foam technologies without compromising firefighting foam abilities. Hybrid systems pairing fluoroprotein foams with water mist, dry chemical or inert gas technologies could maximize fuel separation and extinguishment. As fire risks evolve with new energy sources, battery storage and other technologies, foam innovators must anticipate diverse hazard scenarios. The events of 9/11 demonstrated foam’s critical role in emergency response and structural fire suppression - driving continued progress in chemistry and application methods.
Quality Assurance is Paramount
To ensure public safety, quality control throughout the foam distribution network is essential. Regular testing confirms concentrated products and ready-to-use foam solutions meet manufacturer specifications for necessary properties like pH balance, surfactant content and surface tension performance characteristics. Proper storage in original containers prevents contamination or degradation. Strict equipment maintenance and certification validates proportioning devices accurately mix concentrate with water at terminals and disaster sites. Together, these QA practices guarantee fire departments and industrial customers receive products functioning as designed to save lives and property under extreme fire conditions. The firefighting foam industry will continue enhancing solutions through research while maintaining the highest reliability standards.
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