Aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) is a variation of foam fire extinguishers made specifically to combat Class A fires (plastic, wood, textiles and other solid combustible materials) and types of Class B fires (diesel, petrol and paint).
AFFF works by creating a foam barrier that smothers the oxygen needed to generate a fire, which also stops the fire from re-igniting. However, after decades of use, the AFFF type is phased out in the UK as of 4th July 2025.
While the AFFF has been utilised for many years, the man-made chemicals used for the barrier and smothering technique of the foam, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are known as ‘forever chemicals’ as they do not break down as easily as other chemicals and thus raise a significant health risk to health and environmental concerns.
The side effects of AFFF usage includes soil and water contamination, thus affecting the health of anyone and anything using water sources and soil, in addition to liver damage, cholesterol levels contributing to heart disease, decreased immunity systems, fertility issues, even cancer. Once suitable alternatives are in place, all AFFF extinguishers must be quarantined and properly disposed of via accredited disposal companies.
In place of AFFF fire extinguishers, C6 fire extinguishers will now be used. C6 contains film-forming fluoroprotein (FFFP), telomer-based foams that don’t break down into the type of pollutants as with AFFF. Water mist fire extinguishers are another viable safer alternative, allowing for ultra-fine water mist droplets to be sent out to suppress fires; they are certified for Class A (solid materials) and Class F (cooking oil and fates) fires and tested for Class B (flammable liquids, liquifiable solids).
In addition, Class A fires can be met with water extinguishers, water chemical extinguishers and dry powder extinguishers, as none of them possess the chemicals and health risks as AFFF. Dry chemical fire extinguishers and fluorine-free firefighting foam (F3) can also be used for Class B fires.
The following types of fire extinguishers are to be used as alternatives to AFFF extinguishers:
Class A:
Water extinguishers
Water mist extinguishers
Water chemical extinguishers
Dry powder extinguishers
Class B:
Dry chemical agents
C6 Film-Forming Fluoroprotein (FFFP) extinguishers
Fluorine-free firefighting foam (F3) extinguishers
Water mist extinguishers
Points to consider:
- Forever chemicals can contaminate soil and water and there must have suitable alternatives. Fire extinguisher substances need to be examined for their effects to reduce the appearance of forever chemicals.
- More environmentally-friendly alternatives must be used, such as different foam types as C6 and F3
- Different fire extinguishers that match the fire class types as AFFF can be used against said fires
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