Firefighting Foam Types and Properties

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Questions and Answers

Which statements regarding Class A and Class B foam are true? (Select all that apply)

  • Class B foam is effective on hydrocarbon fuels. (correct)
  • Class A foam reduces the surface tension of water. (correct)
  • Class A foam is used on flammable liquids.
  • Class B foam is used on Class A materials.

Hydrocarbon fuels are lighter than water.

True (A)

Which foam extinguishment method intervenes between the fuel and the fire?

Separating

Polar solvent is another name for a hydrocarbon fuel.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which are foam extinguishment methods for Class B firefighting foam? (Select all that apply)

<p>Smothering (A), Cooling (B), Separating (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statements about Class B firefighting foam are TRUE? (Select all that apply)

<p>Class B foam is effective on polar solvents in special formulas. (A), Class B foam produces a cohesive blanket. (B), Class B foam is effective on hydrocarbon fuels. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In general, there are three types of foams used in firefighting.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which are essential ingredients for producing firefighting foam? (Select all that apply)

<p>Foam concentrate (A), Air (B), Mechanical aeration (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the device called that injects the correct amount of foam concentrate into the water stream?

<p>Foam proportioner</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct term for 'a mixture of foam concentrate and water before the introduction of air'?

<p>Foam solution</p> Signup and view all the answers

High-quality fire-fighting foam can be produced by mixing all of the required elements in any ratio.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

After the foam solution reaches the nozzle and air is mixed in, what is the product called?

<p>Finished foam</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is raw liquid in its storage container called?

<p>Foam concentrate</p> Signup and view all the answers

Eductors use the pressure of air flowing through a restriction to create suction of the foam concentrate.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which is the most common type of portable proportioner used in the fire service?

<p>In-line eductor</p> Signup and view all the answers

Apparatus equipped with balanced-pressure proportioners MUST have the foam concentrate supplied from an off-the-truck source.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statements about the proportioning rates for foam concentrates are TRUE? (Select all that apply)

<p>Foams for hydrocarbon fires are proportioned at 1% to 6%. (A), Foams for polar-solvent fires are generally proportioned at 3% or 6%. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

To produce a foam that sticks to vertical surfaces for exposure protection, you should use?

<p>A higher percentage of Class A foam solution</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which are usually built directly into the apparatus fire pump? (Select all that apply)

<p>Balanced-pressure proportioner (A), Around-the-pump proportioner (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of portable educator would you use if you wanted to switch from foam to water and back quickly?

<p>Bypass educator</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which are types of foam proportioners? (Select all that apply)

<p>Around-the-pump (A), Eductor (B), Balanced pressure proportioners (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of educator is part of the nozzle?

<p>Self-educting nozzle</p> Signup and view all the answers

Uniformly sized bubbles result in a longer-lasting foam blanket.

<p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The ______ foam nozzle produces a higher quality finished foam, but the energy required...

<p>high-quality</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Foam Types and Properties

  • Class A foam is designed for fires involving ordinary combustibles, reducing water's surface tension for better penetration.
  • Class B foam is effective for flammable liquids, especially hydrocarbon fuels and polar solvents.

Hydrocarbon Fuels

  • Hydrocarbon fuels are lighter than water and will float on the surface.

Foam Extinguishment Methods

  • Key methods include smothering, cooling, and separating to effectively extinguish Class B fires.

Characteristics of Class B Foam

  • Creates a cohesive blanket that floats on fuel surfaces.
  • Effective on hydrocarbon fuels; special formulas needed for polar solvents.

Foam Production Essentials

  • Four essential ingredients for fire-fighting foam: mechanical aeration, foam concentrate, air, and water.

Foam Equipment

  • Foam proportioner injects foam concentrate into water to create foam solution.
  • Foam solution refers to the mixture before air is added.

Foam Quality and Production

  • High-quality foam requires precise mixing ratios; not just any ratio will suffice.
  • Finished foam is produced after air is mixed with the foam solution at the nozzle.

Eductors and Proportioners

  • Eductors create suction for foam concentrate using water pressure, not air pressure.
  • In-line eductor is the most common portable proportioner in fire services.
  • Balanced-pressure proportioners utilize foam concentrate lines from the apparatus or an external source.

Proportioning Rates

  • Typical rates are 3% to 6% for polar-solvent foams and 1% to 6% for hydrocarbon foams, marked on foam containers.
  • Class A foams can have adjustable proportioning rates to fit specific objectives.

Vertical Surface Application

  • A higher percentage of Class A foam solution is required to stick to vertical surfaces.

Types of Proportioners

  • Types include eductors, around-the-pump proportioners, and balanced-pressure proportioners.
  • Self-educting nozzles have built-in educators.

Foam Durability

  • Uniformly sized bubbles contribute to a longer-lasting foam blanket.

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