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Education
We deliver fire protection solutions and expertise across the education sector, including schools, universities, boarding houses, sports facilities and heritage buildings.
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Russian engineer and chemist Aleksandr Loran invented firefighting foam in the early 1900s.
Fire needs oxygen to burn.
The invention of fire extinguishing foam was to suppress a fire by cooling the fire down and coating the fuel to prevent contact with oxygen.
Different types of fire
There are six classes of fire:
- Class A – Normal combustibles such as wood or plastic
- Class B – Flammable liquids such as petrol or paint
- Class C – Combustible gases such as LPG gas or natural gas
- Class D – Flammable metals such as magnesium
- Class E – Electrically energised equipment such as short-circuited machinery or overloaded electrical cables
- Class F – Cooking oils such as vegetable oil, fats and lard.
Each fire type requires a specific fire safety approach when selecting fire extinguishers.
What is AFFF?
Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) is a synthetic, water-based foam developed in the 1960s by the US Navy. It has a low viscosity and can cover a large surface area quickly. The substance contains per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are processed chemicals used to resist heat.
AFFF is a foam blanket that suffocates a fire whilst cooling the fuel source or adjacent surface. The foam acts as a surfactant that lessens the surface tension of the water to improve water saturation in firefighting.
What are the concerns surrounding the use of AFFF?
The PFAS chemicals used in AFFF have been shown to negatively affect the environment. The chemicals seep into the soil over time and pollute the groundwater and surrounding ecosystems. Fish, animals and even humans have shown varying toxicity levels from accumulated traces of AFFF.
Although AFFF itself is not dangerous, the chemicals used in AFFF in the firefighting equipment are. Research has shown that overexposure to AFFF chemicals can lead to various forms of cancer.
What does the law say?
Under the Protection of the Environment Operations (General) Amendment (PFAS Firefighting Foam) Regulation 2021, discharging PFAS firefighting foam for training or demonstration purposes will be a punishable offence.
From 26 September 2022, it will be an offence to discharge PFAS in any other circumstance except for a particular person to prevent or extinguish a fire deemed as catastrophic or for a person to prevent or extinguish a fire on a watercraft in State or prescribed waters.
Also, from September 2022, it will be an offence to sell a portable fire extinguisher containing PFAS unless granted specific permission from the necessary authority or as part of a watercraft purchase.
What does this mean for fire prevention, fire protection and fire safety?
Local fire and rescue teams in NSW have elected to use firefighting foam that is environmentally friendly and does not contain PFAS, considering the adverse effects the legacy AFFF foam has on surrounding natural habitats.
Fire prevention solutions differ for shopping centres, stadiums, commercial strata or industrial facilities, so a fire safety expert must conduct an accurate fire safety audit and design a fire protection solution that meets the needs of the environment and building type.
What do I need to know about my firefighting equipment and AFFF alternatives?
You need to know which firefighting foam is used in your fire safety equipment, whether replacement equipment is necessary and if so, what these alternatives might look like. You will also need to test the firefighting foam every six months to ensure buildings are fire compliant.
An alternative firefighting solution being used in Australia is the biodegradable Foam-F3. It is a fire extinguisher foam with the least environmental impact that is free of fluoro-organic compounds. Foam-F3 can be used in airports, vessels or ships and chemical and petrochemical industries.
Contact us to book an appointment to discuss your fire extinguisher needs or conduct a fire safety equipment test with one of our expert team members.
Our areas of expertise
Commercial & Retail
We are experts in fire protection for commercial & retail properties. With decades of experience, we have calibrated and fine-tuned our fire protection process.
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Storage & Logistics
Installing fire protection systems and solutions in a logistics and storage environment is complex and can be risky. We use cutting-edge technology in our fire system design.
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Industrial Manufacturing
Industrial manufacturing requires a unique understanding of fire hazards in this environment. Best practice in fire system design is an absolute minimum.
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Hospitality & Tourism
Each hospitality & tourism location is unique, so focused fire safety expertise provided by an accredited team of experienced fire system engineers is vital to ensure safety for all.
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Residential Strata
Fire safety & property compliance must be a focus for strata owners & managers. Commercial property owners have a legal requirement to ensure the safety of all inhabitants.
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Public Venues
Large-scale and high-traffic fire protection solutions are critical for public venues - from clubhouses at sports complexes to large stadiums. They require meticulous fire safety strategies.
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