Pine Mountain Georgia Fire Department News

May 2010
Firefighters Train with New Foam

Ethanol blend gasolines are causing problems for a number of fire departments, and the Pine Mountain Fire Department is now using F500 Encapsulator foam, which is reported to be effective on Class A, B and D fires.

In the past, foam formed a blanket which served to smother fires. But reports indicate that ethanol blend fuels render the foam blanket less effective, or not effective at all. Some of the older technology foam was also limited in application use.

In testing the F500 with ethanol blend fuel, the department used a mixture of gasoline and a gasoline-oil mix in a containment pan. About six ounces of F500 was mixed with water in a water extinguisher.

The gasoline mixture was lit, and the F500 quickly extinguished the fire. An attempt was made to reignite the mixture, and while it did on occasion re-ignite, the mixture burned very low, very slow and with a relatively cool flame.

In a second test using more of the F500, the mixture of ethanol fuel, water and F500 would not re-ignite.

The F500 did not create a smothering blanket as seen with older technology foam.

In addition, the F500 did not create the foam mess more typically encountered when using older technology foam.

These tests were not scientific, but rather used to familiarize firefighters with using the F500 Encapsulator foam. A formal, multi-departmental training class has been scheduled.

Due to the ability to be used on Class A, B and D fires, the Pine Mountain Fire Department is putting F500 Encapsulator form in all water fire extinguishers.

According Hazard Control Technologies, the F500 is environmentally friendly.

An update to this report will follow the formal training class which has been scheduled in August.

Departments with experience using the F500 Encapsulator foam are asked to share their experiences with us by emailing info@pinemountainfiredepartment.org

For more information on the F500 Encapsulator foam, visit www.hct-world.com

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