Fighting fire with fire

By Dennis Smagac

Dennis Smagac outlines the potential of compressed air foam systems in fighting multiple hazard fires.

First responders are becoming aware of the need to widen their focus from single to multiple hazard response. A fire department first on scene could discover an intentionally set fire intended to cover up a biological attack. Local citizens may contact the fire department regarding a spill that results in a toxic plume. Traditional mindsets are changing. Fire fighters, police departments and HAZMAT teams are all learning to become more versatile. This shift will require cross-training and more reliance on equipment that is suitable for multiple hazards. There will continue to be a place for dedicated equipment side by side with multifunctional apparatus. Compressed air foam (CAF) systems can meet this multi-functionality requirement. Pioneered by wildland firefighting departments, compressed air foam is a liquid medium created by injecting air under pressure into a foam solution stream.

Studies show that CAF systems use on average 79 percent less solution to suppress a fire than water alone, and on average 64 percent less solution than air aspirated foam to suppress a fire. Studies have also shown that CAF systems are 78 percent faster than water and 66 percent faster than air aspirated foam in achieving fire suppression. CAF technology is poised to become the new tradition of fire fighting.

In the emerging multiple hazard environment, CAF systems are showing their versatility and effectiveness as the preferred technology for responders. When US Military Forces identified a need for equipment, solutions and associated support for rapidly deployable and highly effective chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) decontamination systems, CAF equipment met mission requirements. Systems manufactured by Intelagard of Colorado were selected due to their unique design and operational characteristics that make them well suited for demanding environments. These systems have proven to be particularly effective for diverse decontamination missions, HAZMAT remediation operations, vapor suppression environments and critical exposure protection functions in addition to traditional fire fighting applications.

CAF systems multiply on-board resources in the form of expanded foam, allowing for maximum effectiveness per size and weight, whether used for fire, decontamination or other emergency response. They also have the ability to apply a wide range of liquid and foaming solutions for a variety of needs. The systems have deployed Class A, AFFF and AR-AFFF foams for fire suppression, and HAZMAT remediation solutions and bio-remediation foams to inert and break down hydrocarbon spills and other hazardous incidents. The same systems have been tested with and deployed EasyDECON DF200, Reformulated Decon Green (RDG), hot and cold water/soapy water and chlorine-based decontamination solutions including HTH and STB.

CAF-generated foams, especially when generated through Intelagard systems deployed in decontamination operations, have the unique ability to adhere to vertical and inverted surfaces, allowing the durable foam blanket to maintain required wet contact time between the detected agent and the decontamination formulation. 

Used extensively by the US military, Intelagard systems are widely chosen for decontamination efficacy testing because of their ease of use and fully replicable foam expansion settings. The systems have been fully calibrated and rigorously tested to ensure that they will perform to exacting standards in extreme environments. The systems are capable of no-prime remote drafting operations. All Intelagard systems have been through extensive materials compatibility analysis to ensure that they are capable of deploying aggressive decontamination formulations without damage to the equipment. Intelagard CAF technology has been shown to be extremely flexible in adapting to meet specific performance and technological requirements.

The unique capabilities of Intelagard technology make it ideal for diverse incidents. Their ability to expand payloads and effectively respond to multiple hazardous situations in harsh environments is valuable to any first responder dealing with the demands inherent to these settings. The wide range of system sizes and configurations allow for a comprehensive package of response equipment to fit current and future requirements. While the traditional first responder single focus of fire, HAZMAT, law enforcement and EMS shift to wider multi-hazard response capabilities, expect to see CAF systems play a wider and more crucial role.

Biography

Dennis Smagac is one of Intelagard’s founders. He combined his expertise in compressed air foam technology with his knowledge of decontamination to create a technologically advanced product line of multi-hazard response equipment for fire suppression as well as decontamination and hazmat remediation.