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An Evaluation of the Firefighting Performance of Alcohol-Resistant Aqueous Film Forming Foams (AFFF-AR) and Alcohol-Resistant Fluorine-Free Foams (FFF-AR) in the Past Two Decades

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Abstract

Aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) have a long and successful history in industrial firefighting operations due to their unique properties allowing rapid knock-down of fires and efficient vapor suppression from large fuel surfaces preventing (re)ignition. However, all AFFF foams available on the market contain per- and polyfluorinated compounds which are expected to phase out in near future due to ongoing regulation. This paper summarizes foam testing of alcohol resistant AFFF (AFFF-AR) and fluorine-free alternatives (FFF-AR) in our company since 2001. It can be concluded that AFFF-AR foams’ performance has decreased in the past while at the same time, FFF-AR foams’ performance has significantly increased and some can be seen as replacements for AFFF-AR if correct application can be guaranteed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. BASF SE, Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany

    Martin Kaller & Gert Van Bortel

  2. BASF Antwerpen N.V., Antwerp, Belgium

    Tom Engels & Raf Thierens

  3. Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany

    Johannes Fachinger

Authors
  1. Martin Kaller
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  2. Gert Van Bortel
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  3. Tom Engels
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  4. Raf Thierens
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  5. Johannes Fachinger
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Contributions

MK has since 2018 selected foam concentrates, designed the experiments, interpreted the results and written the initial draft. JF has worked up the data stored in print and digital archives and interpreted the results. GVB and RT selected foam concentrates, designed and supervised the experiments before 2018 and recorded the data. TE supervised the experiments in 2020.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Martin Kaller.

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Kaller, M., Van Bortel, G., Engels, T. et al. An Evaluation of the Firefighting Performance of Alcohol-Resistant Aqueous Film Forming Foams (AFFF-AR) and Alcohol-Resistant Fluorine-Free Foams (FFF-AR) in the Past Two Decades. Fire Technol 59, 429–452 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10694-022-01345-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10694-022-01345-9

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