Computer-based models are in widespread use today as part of fire safety design. However, there is considerable concern about whether or not the use of such models may be leading to unacceptable options being adopted, writes Dr Alan Beard.

Gary McDowall of ABC MacIntosh and Thierry Bluteau of Bio-Ex foams remind readers that fluorosurfactants are still classified as organohalogens and as such remain prohibited under the UK’s Groundwater Regulations. What’s more, they believe that today’s new generation of fluorine-free foams put paid to the argument that reliability and performance can only be achieved through the use of film-forming foam.

Bio fuels have already had a big impact on our everyday lives – even Virgin Atlantic has tested bio fuels in a 747 short haul flight – which means firefighters must be prepared for the added problems of extinguishing bio fuel fires. Luc Jacobs, Product & Environmental Manager, Arctic Fire Fighting Foams, showcases some results of recent foam tests on E95.

Stephen Korzeniowski (DuPont) and Tom Cortina (Fire Fighting Foam Coalition) reflect on the fluorine-free vs fluorinated foams debate that was brought to the fore during last year’s Reebok conference.

Arrangements for providing and siting gas detectors for open areas and gas turbine enclosures (1) are generally considered to be reasonably well understood. But there is little information on the provision and siting of gas detection systems for HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) ducts supplying air to accommodation modules, temporary refuges or process areas, writes Kevin O’Donnell, Offshore Safety Division, Health and Safety Executive.

Following an ignition in a fireworks production facility, HSL (Health and Safety Laboratory) undertook work to quantify the size, duration and thermal emissive power of fireballs produced when different quantities of a range of pyrotechnic compositions are ignited. 

Exactly twelve months after the catastrophic fire at the Buncefield oil depot near Hemel Hempstead in the UK, which involved probably the largest foam attack ever mounted by the Fire Service using 786,000 litres of foam concentrate - equivalent to 13 million litres of 6% finished foam - the long-term impact on the environment remains unknown.

Dr. Roger Klein examines the rapidly changing commercial landscape in firefighting foams and the need for considering alter­native extinguishing methodologies for fire brigade personnel.

Let’s start with something all firefighters can appreciate: firefighting foam is either low expansion, medium expansion or high expansion, classified according to the ratio of air to liquid in the foam.

JOIFF, the Organisation for Emergency Services Management, concerns itself with the protection of life, property and the environment in those sectors in which its members operate.

The following are all essential terms used in the world of foam:

Mike Willson explains,  “Natural gas is the cleanest burning of all fossil fuels, and global demand for it as an energy source is growing rapidly. The tests were organised to re-evaluate current fire protection equipment and techniques in realistic fire scenarios”.

Good preparation means that half the job is already done when disaster happens. Knowing where the problem is likely to be the first step in avoiding it. All the following manufacturers of HazMat and chemical emergency equipment want you and your team to be well prepared.

Firefighting foams are widely used to control and extinguish fires involving Class B flammable liquids. There are many claims made that specific products are the best. A bewildering choice of foam types, grades, manufacturers and brands available, so how do you know which one is right for your particular application? asks Mike Willson.

The environmental impact of firefighting foams has become of increasing concern to both national regulatory authorities and fire services, as well as to manufacturers of the surfactants used and to companies in the fire engineering industry which formulate foam concentrates, following on from the announcement by 3M in May 2000 that they were phasing out fluorosurfactant production based on perfluorooctanyl sulphonate (PFOS) chemistry.