AFFF represents “aqueous film-forming foam.” It is a type of Firefighting Foam that's most commonly utilized by firefighters to extinguish Class B and Class A fires. Class B fires are those who involve flammable liquids, such as gasoline, oil, or paint, while Class A fires are those that involve combustible materials, such as for instance wood or paper.
AFFF functions forming a slim layer of water on top of the burning liquid, which effectively smothers the fire and prevents it from spreading. Additionally, AFFF contains surfactants—substances that reduce the surface tension of water—which help the water to spread easier and evenly over the surface of the liquid.
How AFFF Works
● Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) is a form of firefighting foam that is most commonly utilized by firefighters to extinguish Class B and Class A fires. Class A fires are the ones that involve combustible materials like wood or paper, while Class B fires involve flammable liquids like paint, oil, or gasoline.
● To know the way AFFF works, it's first vital that you know the way fire works. When a fire burns, it does so because three elements are present: oxygen, heat, and fuel. The oxygen provides the air essential for combustion, while heat causes the fuel to ignite. Once ignited, the fuel begins to burn, releasing energy in the form of heat and light.
● If one of these simple three elements is removed, the fire should go out. That is where AFFF comes in. When put on a fire, AFFF forms a thin layer of water on top of the burning liquid. This effectively smothers the fire and prevents it from spreading. Surfactants, which lower water's surface tension, are another ingredient in AFFF. They ensure it is easier and more uniform for water to spread across a liquid's surface.
● Surfactants are specially important when fighting fires involving liquids with high surface tensions, such as diesel fuel or crude oil. Without surfactants, these kind of liquids would repel water, making it difficult for firefighters to extinguish them.
AFFF Firefighting Foam Lawsuit
AFFF Firefighting foam lawsuit is really a class action lawsuit which was filed in the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina. This product has been utilized by the U.S. Military, as well as many fire departments throughout the country.
● The primary allegations in the lawsuit are that the companies knew or must have known that the chemicals in AFFF firefighting foam were dangerous and caused health issues, but they failed to warn the public or take steps to get rid of the chemicals from the product.
● The chemicals at issue, in this case, are perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).
● These chemicals have already been associated with cancer, as well as, other health problems. The plaintiffs, in this instance, are seeking compensatory and punitive damages. They are also seeking to really have the companies remove these chemicals from AFFF firefighting foam and other products.
Conclusion:
Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) is an essential tool in the fight fires. By forming a thin layer of water on the surface of burning liquids, it effectively smothers flames and prevents them from spreading. Additionally, its surfactant content helps water to spread more evenly over surfaces with high surface tensions.
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