What Is Firefighting Foam and Why Is it Used?

12/19/2022

2 firefighters using firefighting foam to put out a fire

If you were exposed to PFAS, contact Firefighting Foam Lawyer Timothy L. Miles

Firefighting foam provides a critical layer of protection against fire and its associated hazards. This unique substance is specially formulated to prevent and suppress fires, and it has been a staple of firefighting for decades. Firefighting foam is a blend of chemicals, surfactants, and other compounds that work together to create a thick, viscous barrier between a flame and the combustible material it is attempting to burn. Firefighters rely on this foam to help contain and extinguish fires, protect people, and save property. It is an essential component in the fight against fires and it is why firefighters are so successful in reducing the destruction caused by them.

Two firefighters using firefighting foam to put out fire

Firefighting foam is a thick, viscous liquid that is used to fight fires. It is used mainly as a water-based solution to prevent flammable solids, liquids, and gases from igniting. Firefighting foam is sometimes referred to as firefighting water, and it is often used in combination with dry chemical extinguishers, as well as Fire Extinguisher Cartridges, to put out fires. Firefighting foam is used in a wide range of industries, including airports, chemical plants, oil refineries, petrochemical plants, military installations, and textile mills. It is often employed in situations where some combustible liquids or gases must be prevented from igniting or spreading.

Firefighting foam is commonly used to prevent fires from igniting in fuel storage tanks, marine vessels, and other locations where flammable materials are used. It is also used to extinguish fires involving flammable liquids and gases. Firefighting foam is a blend of water, surfactants, and other additives that work together to create a thick, viscous barrier between a flame and the flammable material it is attempting to burn. If a strong enough stream of firefighting foam is applied to a fire, the foam will extinguish the fire because it smothers the flames.

Firefighting foam is a water-based solution that uses surfactants and other additives to create a thick, viscous barrier between a flame and the flammable material it is attempting to burn. If a strong enough stream of firefighting foam is applied to a fire, the foam will extinguish the fire because it smothers the flames.

There are several different types of firefighting foam, including Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF), Alcohol-based Foam (ABF), and Foam Blending. Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) is the most common type of firefighting foam. It is a synthetic, fluorocarbon-based foam that is designed to be applied through an air- or water-based pump system. It is ideal for fighting hydrocarbon fires and can be used on a wide range of flammable materials. Alcohol-based Foam (ABF) is a synthetic, alcohol-based foam that is highly effective at fighting Class B combustible materials, such as paper, wood, and other cellulose-based materials. Firefighting foam can also be mixed with water to create a foam that has a more tailored application. This blending process allows the foam to be customized to fight specific types of fires.

There are two types of firefighting foam: Class A and Class B foams. Class A foams are typically used to combat wildfires and structural fires, while Class B foams are designed to put out fires involving “flammable and combustible liquids and gases; petroleum greases, tars, oils and gasoline; and solvents and alcohols,” a fact sheet from the Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC) states.

The “vast majority” of Class B firefighting foam currently in stock or in use in the United States is AFFF and all AFFF products contain Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of manufactured chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s because of their useful properties. However, these toxic chemicals have long been linked to serious health problems. Lawsuits continue to be filed from individuals developing cancer from firefighting foam and alleging a handful of companies who knowingly sold firefighting foams that contained PFAS. One Firefighting Foam Lawsuit blamed PFAS as a "substantial factor and proximate cause of the cancers, serious illnesses and bodily injuries" one firefighter suffered.

Approximately 2,500 victims of Firefighting Foam have filed AFFF Firefighting Foam Lawsuits up through September 2022 mainly by firefighters exposes to PFAS. If you or a family member worked as a firefighter and developed cancer, hyperthyroidism or ulcerative colitis, contact Firefighting Foam Lawyer Timothy L. Miles you probably meet the eligibility for a Firefighting Foam Lawsuit and may be entailed to significant compensation.

Firefighting foam is regulated at the local, state, and federal levels. Fire departments and other related organizations typically conduct inspections to ensure that employees are using the correct type and amount of foam for each fire situation. Firefighters may face disciplinary action and/or fines if they do not use the proper amount of foam. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires all industries that use firefighting foam to follow strict regulations regarding the use and disposal of this substance.

If you or a family member worked as a firefighter and developed cancer, hyperthyroidism or ulcerative colitis, contact Firefighting Foam Lawyer Timothy L. Miles you may meet the eligibility requirements for a firefighting foam lawsuit and be entitled to significant compensation. While there is still time to file a lawsuit, be mindful that these cases are time sensitive, and give us a call today.

Timothy L. Miles, Esq.

Timothy L. Miles is a nationally recognized shareholder rights attorney raised in Nashville, Tennessee. Mr. Miles was recently selected by Martindale-Hubbell® and ALM as a 2022 Top Ranked Lawyer, 2022 Top Rated Litigator. and a 2022 Elite Lawyer of the South. Mr. Miles also maintains the AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, their highest rating for both legal ability and ethics. Mr. Miles is a member of the prestigious Top 100 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyers: The National Trial Lawyers Association, a superb rated attorney by Avvo, a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by Premier Lawyers of America (2019) and recognized as a Distinguished Lawyer, Recognizing Excellence in Securities Law, by Lawyers of Distinction (2019). Mr. Miles has published over sixty articles on various issues of the law, including class actions, whistleblower cases, products liability, and more. Please visit our website.

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