Alcohol-Resistant Aqueous Film-Forming Foam concentrates

BIOEX AR-AFFF foams (Alcohol-Resistant Aqueous Film-Forming Foam) provide efficient vapor suppression and extinguishment of liquid class B fires containing hydrocarbons and polar solvents. AR-AFFF foams are required when fuels are water-miscible, such as alcohols, acetone… Polar solvents and alcohol are able to destroy the foam blanket generated by standard class B hydrocarbon fires foams. AR-AFFF foams are often required in high-risks facilities in the oil & gas and chemical industries such as refineries, ships, tank farms, pharmaceutical plants and process areas.

Alcohol-Resistant Aqueous Film-Forming Foams are suitable for quick extinguishment of large-scale class B fires. The aqueous foam would normally be destroyed very quickly on water-soluble fuels. AR-AFFF agents contain polymers, that forms a protective film between the burning surface and the foam blanket. This foam blanket blocks the oxygen which supply the fuel in fire, seals the fuel surface and prevents the release of fuel vapors. AR-AFFF film prevents foam breakdown by alcohols in the burning liquids. The water contained in the foam solution provides a cooling effect for faster fire suppression. BIOEX AR-AFFF foams had a good burnback resistance.

Polymers included in AR-AFFF formulations generally increase foam viscosity. It becomes “pseudoplastic” or “shear thinning”. However, the viscosity decrease as the foam concentrate flows. BIOEX launched FILMOPOL 1N, a Newtonian (liquid) AR-AFFF usable at 1% on water-miscible fuel fires and 1% on water-immiscible fuel fires.

BIOEX high performance synthetic AR-AFFF foam can be applied in direct or indirect application with a wide range of firefighting equipment. It can be used in high, medium and low expansion on the burning spill.  BIOEX AFFF-ARC foam is tested and approved by international standards appropriate to your industry, application and risk (EN 1568, UL 162, NFPA, LASTFIRE, IMO…).

Considering the growing concerns about fluorosurfactants, BIOEX uses C6 surfactants (short-chain) recognised as safer, and minimising the impact on health and environment, than PFOS and PFOA. The use of PFOS and PFOA is restricted all over the world due to their persistence in the environment, bioaccumulative characteristics and containing toxic substances.