One argument, posed by the question ‘what should be used in today’s foams? – is that there is currently no viable alternative to using fluorosurfactants in foam.
Environmental sensitivity to the operational use of large quantities of firefighting foam has increased dramatically post-Buncefield.
On the one hand, the consequences of not extinguishing a large hydrocarbon fire may produce greater acute, but usually short-lived, environmental damage than the foam-contaminated run-off water.
Financial losses resulting from destruction of inventory and installations will be an overwhelming argument used by the petrochemical industry and its insurers.
On the other hand, long-term damage to the aquatic environment due to the release of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) degradation products which, in the case of fluorosurfactants, have half-lives measured in decades, is ecologically unacceptable.
This is especially true if groundwater becomes contaminated as remediation is well-nigh impossible.
Taking a precautionary stand
Environmentalists argue that any potentially significant and long-lasting environmental impact, with effects on future generations, cannot be ignored and that the ‘precautionary principle’ should be applied. Fluorosurfactant degradation products have been found widely dispersed worldwide in human serum and breast-milk, other animals including those in the polar regions, the atmosphere, sediments, groundwater, oceans and rivers.
Considerable work has been carried out in recent years. Advances made by the fire engineering industry on the development of alternative extinguishing agents and methods, include fluorine-free replacements for AFFF firefighting foam.
Unfortunately, comprehensive, unbiased information is lacking so that strategic commanders and procurement officers in today’s fire services are often in a poor position to make truly informed decisions. Furthermore, the ability to provide adequate training that is fit-for-purpose is compromised.
The current reduction in fuel supplies from the North Sea gas fields is creating a greater dependence on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), which has to be transported by sea, road or pipeline. The specialist expertise, equipment and extinguishing media necessary for dealing with LNG spills and fires are still relatively scarce in the UK.
Major UK seminar on foam
‘Firefighting Foam and the Environment’ is a top international seminar being held The Reebok Stadium, Bolton, UK, from 3rd & 4th September, 2007, backed by The Institution of Fire Engineers. This two-day Foam Seminar addresses all the major issues pertaining to foam.
Comments Dr. Roger Klein, one of the organisers: “The seminar will present new research and findings from foam manufacturers and producers, equipment producers, firefighters, environmental researchers and regulatory agencies, that have taken place since the last seminar was held in December 2004.
“A selection of the world’s most renowned and respected speakers has been drawn from Europe, the USA, Canada and Australia, in order to ensure a balanced and well-informed approach to the problems of foam,” he says.
Four major themes will be covered: the environmental impact of the operational use of foam; LNG spill control and firefighting; alternative technologies including CAFS; Class A and wildland fires.
“You might be involved in the petrochemical or chemical process industries, aviation, military or civil and municipal fire services, forestry and river authorities. You might work in waste disposal and water treatment undertakings, environmental consultancy or as a regulator, in which case attendance at this workshop is essential,” says Klein. “The range of knowledge and global expertise represented by the speakers has never before been assembled in such a single event and is unlikely ever to be repeated anywhere in the world,” he concludes.
The Reebok Conference Centre provides an excellent venue to facilitate the transfer of essential knowledge and the establishment of global networking.
Demand for delegate places and exhibition space will be high, says the organisers, and you are advised to make your reservations early.
A Conference Dinner is included in the delegate package, as well as the availability of on-site hotel accommodation, to further enhance networking opportunities and to add value to the conference. The cost of attending the seminar/workshop has been set at just £175 + VAT per delegate.
The event will also carry accredited CPD hours. For additional information, expressions of interest should be directed to: e-mail: foam@manchesterfire.gov.uk
Fax: +44 161 909 0309
Foam lessons from Buncefield
 It’s been 15 months since the UK suffered its biggest ever peacetime fuel depot fire. Interviewed by F&R, Divisional Officer Mark Samuels, one of the officers who co-ordinated the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service’s response, summarises what was learned as a result of firefighting operations.
“Buncefield proved to be very much an ODPM / Local Authority / Industry (JOIFF) Response in which everyone worked together in harmony towards a common goal.”
“The task now is to not let the opportunity to formalise the magnificent professional assistance that was sent to Buncefield slip away. With some effort, these ‘resources’ could be formalised into a National Mutual Aid Policy. The Chief Fire Officer’s Association is now working with JOIFF to this end,” says DO Samuels.
One of the most important lessons was the issue of getting approval for the widescale use of foam agents onsite, due to concerns of environmental damage.
Another lesson the Essex team discovered was that, in some cases, the bund wall had become so hot from radiated heat that this ‘killed’ the foam which was trying to seal adjacent to it, allowing the vapour to reignite.
 “Once you put foam on a bund you cannot just walk away. Different types of finished foams have differing properties. We had to be alert to the quality of the foam blankets, in all of the bunds, at all times.
“What we really needed was the ‘utopian foam’, a foam that was extremely resistant to heat and burnback, was environmentally friendly, that didn’t drain down too fast, had quick knock-down, was resistant to contamination (fuel pick up), had excellent spreading and re-sealing capabilities,” he says.
“We acknowledge that Class B foams on the market have passed BS EN 1568, but we would like to compare these foams against one another to procure the best foam for our needs, to ensure the Incident Commander can make dynamic risk assessments without having to instigate additional control measures due to the quality of the foam,” he points out.

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