As concerns over PFAS-related environmental and health issues continue to rise, so does the call for new innovations and solutions to be made into laws. For firefighters, the recent prohibition of fluorinated firefighting foams represents a big change in not only how fires are tackled, but also the entire system for fire prevention.
Understanding what's changed in fluorinated firefighting foams can also help prepare you for what's next. And as non-fluorinated firefighting foams continue to be updated, it can also help you stay up to date with any upcoming industry changes. For the safety and compliance of firefighters and maintenance operatives, this is extremely important.
There are currently very few bans on the use of PFAS. However, with the EPA publishing an action plan to resolve PFAS challenges, there's momentum for some big potential changes down the line. For the firefighting industry, this can mean some positive news that may require a lot of readjustment.
How will the rise in fluorine-free foam affect standard fire management? Are these non-PFAS foams the answer to reducing environmental impact while keeping firefighters safe? This guide will help you understand what these changes in fluorinated foam mean and what may lie beyond them.
What Are PFAS?
Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a collection of chemicals manufactured for several uses to protect against moisture and fire. The larger body of fluorinated chemicals often uses fluorine to create carbon bonds to act as fire and water repellents.
These fluorinated chemicals have many essential qualities that firefighters can use as practical firefighting tools. Because fluorine is practically indestructible, it acts as a thermal and evaporation barrier in foams to extinguish fires and combustion.
The strong fluorine and carbon bond of PFAS means it's extremely difficult to break down. For this reason, PFAS are also referred to as “forever chemicals.”
Concerns With Fluorinated Firefighting Foams
Fluorine is an extremely reactive, yellowish-green, gaseous substance. It can be used to break down metals and other components. Because it repels water, moisture and dirt, firefighters have used fluorine in their clothing and protective equipment to protect them from fire, smoke and hazardous chemicals.
Despite the use of fluorinated firefighting foams to extinguish liquid fires, there are growing concerns about the health risks associated with using aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) containing perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). This chemical group has been linked to several health risks, dangers to wildlife and a negative impact on the environment.
Some health concerns include the following:
- Cancer: PFAS can lead to various kinds of cancer years after exposure.
- Thyroid hormone distribution: Fluorine from PFAS or firefighting foam may affect the thyroid by distributing various hormones.
- Affected cholesterol levels: Changes to cholesterol levels may lead to other health complications in the body.
- Compromised immune systems: A weakened immune system can open the door to other health issues and illnesses.
The Shift From C8 to C6 Foams
AFFFs like C8 firefighting foams have been slowly phased out over the last decade, and they're now officially banned, as part of a shift in environmental sustainability and organizational accountability. Instead, manufacturers have mostly transitioned to C6 extinguishers.
C6 firefighting foams use perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA) PFAS chemicals, which don't stay in the body as long as C8 chemicals do. The reduced bioaccumulative factors of these shorter-chain PFAS chemicals make them less toxic for use.
While the shift from C8 to C6 foams is a notable improvement, it's not the final solution. Despite having lower levels of forever chemicals than C8 firefighting foams, C6-based AFFFs still contain PFAS. This has led to calls for non-fluorinated firefighting foam alternatives to be more commonplace.
Fluorine-Free Foams
Despite fluorine's usefulness in fast and effective firefighting, the risks of it entering water systems and harming animal and human life are great. For this reason, alternatives like fluorine-free firefighting foams, also known as F3 foams, are being used to remove PFAS entirely. F3 foams are specifically designed to use different surfactants and technology to fight fires.
Instead of fluorine, these alternative foams use a range of naturally sourced surfactants. These surfactants are oleophilic (strongly attracted to oils) and attract hydrocarbons to smother fires like a blanket. This resistant blanket of foam has a rapid cooling effect to help control the fire or put it out completely.
Examples of Fluorine-Free Foams
Many fluorine-free foams (FFFs) are available on the market. Each choice has its own specific performance benefits and characteristics. Some popular examples used today are:
- BIOEX: BIOEX's range of FFFs has a deep history, with its first actual fluorine-free solutions coming out over 20 years ago. Its line of firefighting foams includes products aimed at fighting Class A, Class B and polar solvent fires.
- Fomtec: Fomtec's Enviro SPX 1% is a fluorine-free solution for sprinkler systems on Class A and plastics. They also offer an Enviro Sea 1% firefighting foam concentrate that consists of foam stabilizers and surfactants, which is intended for use on hydrocarbon fuel fires like oil and diesel in the marine industry.
- Orchidee: Orchidee offers a range of FFFs to meet the environmental requirements for Class A and B fires. Many of them offer airtight foam for optimum safety and to prevent burn-back, and are used in industrial companies, oil refineries and by many fire brigades.
Common Challenges
While the increased use of fluorine-free solutions is a positive move away from fluorine foam, embracing new ways of fighting fire doesn't come without challenges. It's also important to remember that studies on PFAS replacement foams are still being conducted to determine the long-term pros and cons of these products, and that future modifications may be required for compliance.
Some of the biggest obstacles to overcome in planning new fire management strategies include:
Effectiveness and Compatibility
F3 foams are usually made up of different properties, as opposed to the traditional fluorinated foam. This can impact their performance and lead to several adjustments for them to work effectively in firefighting situations.
The thickness of an F3 foam may also not be as compatible with equipment, affecting how the foam flows and spreads on a fire. These challenges can sometimes require new approaches and processes to maximize the use of F3 foams' operating characteristics.
Infrastructural Requirements
Most current fire suppression systems have been carefully designed to suit the needs of fluorine foam. This can not only lead to equipment incompatibility issues, as mentioned above, but also issues with the larger-scale fire suppression systems and measures that have been in place for so long.
It doesn't end at the infrastructure of these systems — one F3 solution might not be compatible with another, which can lead to further complications in the future.
Cost and Business Delays
The foams and systems require careful evaluations to ensure the best possible use and performance, which often necessitates planned upgrades. Testing or upgrading systems can halt business operations and impact your earning potential, with several potential disruptions affecting how smoothly a business functions.
While incentive programs and bundle options may be available, a strategic approach will be required to transition away from fluorinated firefighting foams.
Training and Effectiveness
Fluorine-free firefighting foam tackles fires differently, so firefighters and maintenance staff will need to be trained on how to best work with these systems and materials. Firefighters, in particular, will need comprehensive training on how to use F3 foams properly by learning their components, benefits and limitations.
The NFPA's 1970 Standard has updated its regulations to reflect the move away from PFAS and has addressed PFAS in turnout gear. Understanding when personal protective equipment (PPE) will be certified to new standards is an important part of updating your PPE to ensure you're staying compliant and safety-conscious.
Changes in Turnout Gear Clothing for Fire Protection
Bunker gear, also called turnout gear, is a kind of PPE worn by firefighters to protect them from heat while they save lives on the job. Turnout or bunker gear can minimize the risk of harm from fire and other chemicals while using the latest technology to make it comfortable and durable.
The Outer Shell
The outer shell layer of the bunker gear is often the first line of defense against different substances. While heat and fire may be the first hazards, bunker gear can also shield the wearer from water, sharp objects and dangerous chemicals. An outer shell also protects the rest of the layers from damage.
While solid and flexible, the outer shell allows firefighters to move freely throughout the scene while remaining protected against various dangers during the workday.
The latest NFPA 1970 update on PPE for outer shell performance and durability introduces new durability testing that includes:
- 20 laundering cycles.
- A high heat exposure of 285 degrees Fahrenheit for a period of 10 minutes.
- 3,000 flexing cycles.
- UV and diesel fuel resistance testing.
These updates are intended to better demonstrate the durability of these PPE fabrics.
The Moisture Barrier — Adjusted Requirements for Non-PFAS Options
The third layer of fabric within the bunker gear is the moisture-resistant barrier. This layer protects the skin from dangerous liquids like swimming pool chemicals, antifreeze, battery acid or hydraulic fluids that may all be present at the scene of a fire. A moisture layer also wicks away moisture by lessening the intensity of temperatures found in fires and reducing the amount of sweat that builds up on the skin and fabric.
While fluorine was standardly used in the moisture barrier, non-PTFE options are now tested with requirements adopted from NFPA 1851 (1850) to reflect its Standard on Selection, Care, and Maintenance of Protective Ensembles for Structural and Proximity Firefighting and Open-Circuit Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).
The new moisture barrier testing approach also applies to outer shell, thermal liner, helmet textiles and hoods. The new testing approach includes:
- Being evaluated as part of a full gear composite and not a single layer.
- Testing moisture barriers as a sandwich that sits between the barrier and the outer shell.
- Replacing the viral penetration test with the hydrostatic test (Level 3 standard).
- Using mineral oil-based fluids for realistic liquid penetration tests.
- Conducting UV degradation tests to reflect field exposure.
Semi-Fluorinated Gear Maintenance
The health risks associated with poorly maintained bunker gear can undo many of these new safety measures. Protective gear must be cleaned routinely to eliminate hazardous vapors or liquids. Safety gear can also encounter ash and dirt, which can harm the material of your PPE if left untreated.
Be sure to implement a routine cleaning schedule after every use and maintain the NFPA 1851 recommendation of an advanced cleaning annually, or when you are exposed to contamination. Adhering to advanced cleaning recommendations is essential for avoiding contact with substances that can lead to future health complications.
Optimistic Futures and New PFAS-Free Gear Laws
As many different associations and advocates work together to eliminate or lessen PFAS usage, the future of firefighting seems optimistic. Many companies have begun to offer semi- and non-fluorinated gear that takes advantage of new technological advancements and encourages industries to use fewer fluorine chemicals.
The laws around PPE continue to evolve. New legislation on gear sold in Massachusetts and Connecticut requires that it be PFAS-free by 2027 and 2028. The Massachusetts law has gone a step further and now also requires gear manufacturers who sell PFAS-treated PPE to make this fact clear to the buyer in writing.
Many fire departments must follow the standards set by their city legislators, and Bunker Gear Specialists can ensure you have the required equipment.
Find Semi-Non-Fluorinated Bunker Gear at BGS
While the technology to provide bunker gear that is wholly fluorine-free and effectively moisture-resistant is still ongoing, Bunker Gear Specialists can offer the next best thing. All our bunker gear is semi-non-fluorinated and treated with fluorine only in the essential areas.
Bunker Gear Specialists offers a fantastic array of gear for companies to rent and purchase. Our company provides bunker gear to industrial companies, fire departments and other municipal sectors that need safe, durable and NFPA 1851-compliant rental equipment.
Whether you need gear for a short-term rental, a quick replacement for the gear that's out for cleaning and repairs or want to rent bunker gear for training, we can find the right long-lasting product for your every need.
Shop our range now or contact us for a free quote.
