Fire Performance Evaluation of Solid Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF)

摘要

The fire performance of solid AFFF firefighting foam purchased from the 3M Company was determined and compared against the performance of liquid 3 percent concentrate which is on the Navy Qualified Products List (QPL). Twenty-eight and 50-square-foot fire tests specified in MIL-F-24385C were used to measure fire performance. A limited number of large-scale (1000-square-foot) fire tests were also conducted. Several mixing techniques were used to prepare solution samples at agent-to-water ratios of 6 grams per liter and 8 grams per liter. A total of 47 fire tests were conducted. In all tests, the fire was extinguished using solutions prepared with solid AFFF. These solutions averaged longer times to control and extinguish hydrocarbon fuel fires when compared to solutions prepared with 3 percent liquid AFFF concentrate. Less than desirable burnback and mixing characteristics were also identified. Because there is potential to achieve significant agent space and weight reductions by using a solid AFFF, additional testing and evaluation is recommended. Specific recommendations include evaluation of solutions prepared by increasing the solid agent-to-water ratio, or reformulation of the solid agent to improve performance. Super-concentrated AFFF (proportioned at 1 percent or less) and concentrates prepared by reconstituting a base AFFF formulation also have potential to reduce space and weight requirements compared to existing 3 and 6 percent AFFF concentrates.