An Overview Of Fluorinated Firefighting Foams: Past ... · Compatibility with dry chemical (PKP) agents: Ensures satisfactory fire performance when used in conjunction with supplementary

:FOAM SYSTEM SYMPOSIUM

An Overview Of Fluorinated Firefighting Foams:Past, Present & Future

Presented by: Jerry Back, JENSEN HUGHES

2018 Foam Systems Technical Symposium Page 2

Brief History of Foam Standards and Performance State of the Art Updates to Standards What Happens Next

Overview


Originally Developed for liquid fuels suppression

Protein Foam (PF) Fluoroprotein (FPF) AFFF Other Variants – FFFP, FFF

Overview

Application (mass flow) rate – nozzle flow rate, gallons/minute-ft2 (gpm/ft2)Extinguishment density – mass of foam per unit area required for fire

extinguishment, gal/ft2


Naval Research Laboratory 1961 – Synthetic surfactant formulated 1963 – Patent application, initial spec 1966 – Patent award assigned to US Secretary of the Navy 1968 – NRL and 3M 6% seawater formulation 1969 – Jacksonville, FLA, large and moderate scale test results,

Mil-F-24385 “Light Water” characterized by spreading surface

tension/spreading coefficient AFFF = Aqueous FILM Forming Foam

AFFF Development


Somewhat Different Worlds

Commercial / Petrochemical Industry (UL 162) Tank Fuel storage Fuel handling systems

DoD/ARFF/FAA (MIL-F-24385F) VSAs Hangars Aviation / Crash

Main AFFF Uses


Aircraft carrier flight deck – <60 seconds Commercial Aviation – 60 seconds Aircraft Hangar Military Aircraft – 1 min (damageability

assessment) Commercial aircraft – 2 min Structure – several minutes

Shipboard spaces Military – 1 min desirable 2-5 minutes acceptable in some situations

Gasoline Fueling Facility, Sprinklered Liquid Warehouse – 1-5 minutes to hours Fixed Protection not always provided Critical application rate needed

Scenario Comparison

Genesis / Rationale


NFPA 11 Foam Basic foam protection, commercial petrochem, marine & industry 0.16 gpm/ft2 application rate, commercial UL 162 spec

NFPA 16 Foam Sprinklers – 0.16 gpm/ft2, UL 162 spec NFPA 403 Aircraft Rescue & Firefighting – commercial aviation, 1 min Performance-based approach

NFPA 409 Hangar Protection Structural protection option – 0.16 gpm/ft2 Low level AFFF to protect aircraft – 0.10 gpm/ft2

NFPA 412 – expansion and drainage measurement and criteria

NFPA Standards

Note – all recognize performance advantage of AFFF vs alternatives


UL 162 - Foam Equipment and Liquid Concentrates Listed as a complete package Concentrates, Proportioners, Discharge devices

Concentrations regulated (1,3,6% vol) Test parameters defined by manufacturer Application rate (0.04 - 06 gpm/ft2 typ) Expansion ratio (discharge devices)

Test and Design Requirements in Table 10.1

No compatibility

Commercial / Petrochemical Industry


NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORYMILSPEC (MIL-F-24385F) / QPL

ARFF is primary DoD hazard

Only concentrate is approved Physical properties regulated for compatibility

with DoD hardware Concentrations regulated (3 & 6% vol) Application rates (0.04 - 07 gpm/ft2 )

DoD / ARFF/ FAA


Based on MIL-F-24385F 28 ft2 fire test

– Application rate – 0.071 gpm/ft2

– Maximum extinguishment time – 30s– Maximum extinguishment density – 0.036 gal/ft2

50 ft2 fire test – Application rate – 0.04 gpm/ft2

– Maximum extinguishment time – 50s– Maximum extinguishment density – 0.033 gal/ft2

One-half and quadruple strength Burnback resistance Foam expansion and drainage Spreading coefficient Ignition resistance

AFFF MIL SPEC Extinguishing Performance


Requirement RationaleRefractive index Refractive index enables use of refractometer to measure solution concentrations in field; this is most common method recommended

in NFPA 412a

Viscosity Viscosity Ensures accurate proportioning when proportioning pumps are used; for example, balance pressure proportioner or positive displacement injection pumps

pH pH Ensures concentrate will be neither excessively basic or acidic; intention is to prevent corrosion in plumbing systems

Corrosivity Limits corrosion of, and deposit buildup on, metallic components (various metals for 28 days)Total halides/chlorides Limits corrosion of, and deposit buildup on, metallic componentsEnvironmental impact Biodegradability, fish kill, BOD/CODb

Accelerated aging Film formation capabilities, fire performance, foam quality; ensures a long shelf lifeSeawater compatibility Ensures satisfactory fire performance when mixed with brackish or saltwaterInteragent compatibility Allows premixed or storage tanks to be topped off with different manufacturers’ agents, without affecting fire performance

Reduced- and over-concentration fire test Ensures satisfactory fire performance when agents are proportioned inaccurately

Compatibility with dry chemical (PKP) agents

Ensures satisfactory fire performance when used in conjunction with supplementary agents

Torque to remove cap Able to remove without wrenchPackaging requirements Strength, color, size, stackable, minimum pour, and vent-opening tamperproof seal; ensures uniformity of containers and ease of

handlingInitial qualification inspection Establishes initial conformance with requirementsQuality conformance inspection (each lot) Ensures continued conformance with requirements

aNFPA 412, Standard for Evaluating Aircraft Rescue and Fire-Fighting Foam Equipment, 2003 edition

bBOD/COD: Biological oxygen demand/chemical oxygen demand

Chemical/Physical/Quality Parameters in the MIL SPEC


Test Fuel Application Rate Nozzle Movement Permitted

Max. Ext.Time

Ext. App. Density

gpm/ft2 sec gal/ft2

MIL-SPECMotor gasoline 0.071 Yes 30 0.036

28 ft2

MIL-SPECMotor gasoline 0.04 Yes 50 0.033

50 ft2

UL 162 Heptane 0.04 Yes 180 0.12

ICAO BKerosene 0.06 Yes

(horizontal plane) 60 0.06150 ft2

ICAO C

Kerosene 0.04 No 60 (flickering flame permitted) 0.038

80 ft2

ISO Forceful Heptane 0.06 No 180 0.18

Examples of Extinguishment Application Densities of Various Test Standards


How we got here: Started with C8 formulations DoD sticking with AFFF near term (C6

formulations approved)

The Present

In 2002, 3M ECF AFFF production

stopped.

In 2003, U.S. EPA banned ECF AFFF from

production & importation.

In 2006, U.S. EPA initiated PFOA Stewardship

Program.


Phos-Chek 3% & 6% AFFF MS Ansulite 3% (AFC-3MS) & Ansulite 6% (AFC-6MS) Chemguard 3% (C306-MS) & Chemguard 6% (C606-MS) FOMTEC AFFF 3%M National 3% (3EM-C6) & National 6% (6EM-C6) Tridol 3% (C6 M3) & Tridol 6% (C6 M6) Solberg Arctic 3% & Solberg Arctic 6% FireAde 3% & 6% MilSpec formulations

John P. Farley | 202-404-8459

[email protected]

QPL / MILSPEC C6 Formulations

NO MILSPEC FFFs


The Future of MILSPEC Foams

Where we’re going to end up: Fluorine in the environmental cross-hairs Major FFF research (SERDP and ESTCP) Fluorine Free Foams (FFF)

Will need to restart from fundamentals Hazards How good is good enough? New Spec


Dozens of UL 162 listed C6 formulations Some issues associated with C6 formulations

11 UL 162 listed FF formulations FFFs ≠ AFFFs FF formulations need additional research Extinguishment mechanisms Fuel compatibility

State of the Art


Group 1: Define variables needed to be included in acceptance

testing

Group 2: Review NFPA 11 for modification due

to new C6 and FF foams, also interface with NFPA 16, 30 and 400’s for consistency

Group 3: Develop pager work for NFPA – RF

funding

NFPA 11 (2020 Revision Cycle)

There is a separate UL 162 working group meeting hosted by UL on 1/17

NFPA 11 being revised to address Fluorine Free Foams:

Task Group / Working Groups:


UL / NFPA Test Procedure (264 Tests)

Type of tests: UL/FM Type III Topside

UL/FM Type II for Polar Solvents

Fuels: HeptaneMil-Spec GasolineIPA (Polar Solvent Test)

Fuel Temperature: Standard (60 degrees F + - 10 degrees F) 85 degrees F

Densities: Manufacturer Recommended (typically 0.06 gpm / ft.) 25% increase above recommended until pass or two increments

Foam Concentrates: One Reference AR-AFFF C6 foam

UL AR Listing Fluorine Free Foams (3 maximum)

Water Type: Fresh

Salt

Foam Quality Minimum listed

Maximum listed

NFPA 11 Subgroup 1


NFPA 11 Updates:

Key Findings: 6 out of 12 chapters

– 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10– Including 16 subsections

5 Annex sections (A, B, C, E, G)– Will need to review Annex sections and revisit post testing

NFPA 11 Subgroup 2


NFPA / NFPA Research Foundation Liaison: Develop SOW and RFP for RF solicitation: Completed and out for review by working group Fire Protection Research Foundation POC: Sreenivasan Ranganathan [email protected]

NFPA 11 Subgroup 3

Solicitation will be released early summer

mailto:[email protected]


Task Group Timeline

Kickoff meetingJanuary 11, 2018

1st quarter meeting (Host: ExxonMobil Houston)March 6, 2018 8-11AM CST

2nd quarter meeting TBDJune 5, 2018 8-11AM CST

TestingSeptember, 2018

3rd quarter meeting - Report test resultsOctober, 2018

4th quarter meeting (review draft report) Face to Face - TBD December 4, 2018 8 – 11AM CST

Final Report submitted as public inputJanuary 2, 2019

Public input closingJanuary 3, 2019


NFPA Timeline

Public input closingJanuary 3, 2019

First draft report postingSeptember 5, 2019

Public comment closingNovember 14, 2019

Second draft reportJuly 30, 2020

NITMAN ClosingAugust 27 2020

NITMAN PostingOctober 8, 2020


NFPA 16 fits easily into NFPA 11

Chapter 1 Administration

Chapter 2 Referenced Publications

Chapter 3 Definitions

Chapter 4 System Components and System Types

Chapter 5 Low-Expansion System Design (Tank and Spill Areas)

Chapter 6 Low-Expansion System Design (Sprinkler and Spray Systems)

Chapter 6 7 Medium and High-Expansion Systems

Chapter 7 8 Compressed Air Foam Systems

Chapter 8 9 Specifications and Plans

Chapter 9 10 Installation Requirements

Chapter 10 11 Low-Expansion Foam Systems for Marine Applications

Chapter 11 12 Testing and Acceptance

Chapter 12 13 Maintenance

Merger of NFPA 11 & 16


All Foaming Agents Have an Environmental Impact

Elimination of Fluorosurfactants is Inevitable Due To Regulatory Pressure Extinguishing effectiveness of current FFFs ≠ AFFF

Both Fire Extinguishment and Environmental Impact Should Be Performance Based

How Good is Good Enough?» Change is underway

Summary


ContactJerry Back

+1 410-737-8677 [email protected]

For More Information Visitjensenhughes.com

QUESTIONS?

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Questions?

http://www.jensenhughes.com/

Documents

An Overview Of Fluorinated Firefighting Foams: Past ... · Compatibility with dry chemical (PKP) agents: Ensures satisfactory fire performance when used in conjunction with supplementary