Author: Mark Siem, Perimeter Solutions
Firefighters are always on the lookout for new resources that will provide them with a tactical advantage when they are extinguishing fires. However, one of the best tools they can employ is a decades-old technology that is already available to them and has repeatedly proven its effectiveness: foam.
When battling a fire with water alone, it takes nearly four minutes for the fireโs temperature to drop from 1,000ยฐF to 212ยฐF โ attacking the fire with foam can achieve the same cooling in less than half that time. The quicker knockdown reduces the amount of toxic chemicals that are emitted by the fire, minimizes firefighter exposure, and keeps crews ahead of rapidly changing conditions. Adding foam to the mix also reduces water demand by up to 40%, a critical advantage in dry regions like the American Southwest.
The reduction in water achieved by using foam can make a real difference after the fire is extinguished. In many instances, the water damage that is caused by extinguishing the fire keeps families from returning to their homes. If a responding crew uses 2,000 gallons to extinguish the fire instead of 5,000, cleanup happens faster, and people get to return to their homes sooner. For businesses, less water damage means fewer losses and a quicker return to operations.
Caption: With water alone, cooling a fire from 1,000ยฐF to 212ยฐF takes nearly four minutes; foam cuts that time by more than half.
Addressing Misperceptions about Foam
So, why arenโt more firefighters already using foam?
- โAll foam contains PFAS.โ
Some firefighters mistakenly believe that Class A foams are fluorinated, but that is not the case. And the majority of Class B firefighting foams produced today are also fluorine-free. - โWater is free.โ
Fire departments perceive water is a free resource. This leads to the assumption that adding a foam agent incurs unnecessary costs. In reality, the amount of foam required to create the optimal mixture is minimal. The resulting water savings, reduced wear and tear on firefighters, trucks, and fuel consumption, along with the enhanced firefighting capabilities foam provides, make it a cost-effective tool for protecting lives, property, and communities.
Based on these misconceptions, many departments reduced or eliminated foam training, further accelerating its decline in use.
Today, the firefighting community is becoming more versed on foamโs benefitsโenhanced firefighter safety, improved water efficiency, and faster fire suppressionโand many departments are seeking training opportunities to rebuild the skills and confidence needed to use foam effectively on the fireground.
Caption: Perimeter Solutions has introduced an Industrial Foam School to train industrial firefighters, hazmat teams, and municipal firefighters on everything they need to know about foam.
Responding to that, the Perimeter Solutions Industrial Foam School was introduced for industrial firefighters, hazmat teams, and municipal firefighters supporting industrial facilities. Attendees at these sessions learn everything they need to know about foam, application techniques for applying fluorine-free foam, and how to preplan for an incident using firefighting foam.
Since its launch earlier this year, the Industrial Foam School has earned strong praise for its hands-on, science-driven style: “The program was presented in an impartial, no-nonsense approach with an excellent instructor/student ratio to ensure that any questions were directly addressed and reinforced by applying agents on actual fires,โ says Greg Jakubowski, Senior Fire Engineer โ Fire Protection with Asset Reliability and Engineering Services. โWe were able to see the refocusing on fire attack needed to use the new foams and the importance of training/retraining field personnel. This has helped me in my role working with both internal firefighting teams, and municipal firefighters that serve our facilities. This is a very valuable program for those responsible for applying or training others to apply the new fluorine-free foams.”
Interested firefighters can register to attend one of three Perimeter Solutions Industrial Foam School sessions currently scheduled for 2026:
- April 29-30 — RTFC in Corpus Christi, TX
- May 13-14 — Delaware State Fire Academy in Dover
- May 27-28 — Lambton College, Sarnia, Ontario
For more information and to register, email [email protected], or visit https://www.perimeter-solutions.com/en/industrial-foam-school.
Mark Siem is Manager, Business Development /Chemist at Perimeter Solutions. He has worked in Research & Development in the fire safety industry for 18 years. Mark started his career in a hands-on role as a Chemical Technician fighting fires and working in the lab, before advancing to lead Class B firefighting activities.
