Demonstration of a PFAS Free Fire Suppression Alternative
Abstract
A toxicologically low impact alternative to the traditional Aqueous Film Forming Foams for sprayable fire retardants offered by Paradise Environmental Group was tested by DEVCOM Chemical Biological Center. The goal of these alternative agents is similar to foam agents in that they aim to reduce the surface tension of water. However, instead of forming a foam blanket on a Class B fuel surface to block the source of oxygen in the air, the solution is vigorously mixed with the fuel to form a non-flammable emulsion. Emulsifiers have limited foaming capabilities. Emulsifiers are mixed with water at a given percentage and forcefully applied onto the entire surface of the burning fuel source. The resulting solution then mixes with the fuel, breaking it into very small droplets. These droplets of fuel are surrounded or encapsulated by the emulsifier/water mixture to extinguish the fire, knocking down the vapor pressure required to ignite and sustain combustion. Solutions of this type material known as Blaze Check offered by Paradise Environmental Group [Paradise Pennsylvania] are easily mixed in either fresh or salt water. Laboratory testing to verify the non-corrosive nature of Blaze Check, material properties and lack of PFAS containing compounds was followed up with field testing to verify performance against liquid fuel fires, metal fuel fires and pyrotechnic fires.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1217232
Entities
People
- Amee Polk
- Nino Bonavito
- R. Ranck