FOAM Ops Calculation Guide (Ref.
NFPA-11)
I. Calculate the size of the area involved?
a. For a SPILL it is: (length X width) = square footage of surface
b. For a TANK it is: (radius squared) X 3.142 = square footage of a round tank surface area
II. What is the application rate (AR) of Finished Foam Solution (FFS) per SqFt of area (from I.)?
a. Hydrocarbon SPILL is 0.10 GPM
b. TANK diameter <150’ is 0.16 GPM
c. TANK diameter <200’ is 0.18 GPM
d. TANK diameter <250’ is 0.20 GPM
e. Polar Solvent SPILL is 0.20 GPM
f. NEW F3 Foams may require higher application rates (0.2 to 0.3 GPM) – check with manufacturer
III. How long is the AR of FFS to be flowed?
a. For a SPILL the minimum recommended duration is 15 minutes
b. For a hydrocarbon TANK Fire the minimum recommended duration is 55 minutes
c. For a polar solvent TANK fire the minimum recommended duration is 65 minutes
IV. How much foam concentrate is needed?
a. Finished Foam total (from II.) X % of concentrate X application time (from III.)
b. For planning the above should be DOUBLED to account for reapplication and blanket breakdown
V. How much total water supply is needed?
a. FFS – FC = total water needed
FOAM COMPATIBILITY GUIDELINE
A. Concentrate percent is same (i.e.: 0.5%, 1%, 3%, 6%, etc.)
AND
B. Type of concentrate is the same (Class-A, AR-AFFF, FFFP, F3, etc.)
C. Mixing different manufacturer formulas may be combined if A. & B. are TRUE in
the event of an actual emergency
D. Use of AR-AFFF or AFFF containing PFAS (Fluorine) is REQUIRED to be reported by
date, location, and amount used to the CDPHE, and may result in additional
required clean-up measures by the responsible party
NOTE: Extreme FLUSHING of systems & equipment used after foam application is
necessary to prevent equipment damage (polymerization) – FLUSH all equipment on
the incident scene to keep clean-up to a single location when possible.
What to look for in a Foam:
1. Application formula – is it made for Class-A, Class-B, hydrocarbon, polar solvent, etc.
2. Delivery method – direct application (rain down, roll on, bank down) or subsurface injection
3. Percent concentration – ratio of concentrate to water to create foam solution (<1%, 1%, 3%,
6%)
4. Expansion ratio – low, medium, high expansion (expansion is done by aeration of FFS)
a. Low 1:1 up to 1:20 – usually heavier and wetter
b. Medium 1:20 to 1:200 - susceptible to wind breakdown
c. High more than 1:200 – susceptible to wind breakdown, usually requires specialized
equipment, best for large compartments
5. 25% water drain out – how long is the foam rated to hold up before water drains and foam
blanket diminishes, or water separates to impact fuel in container, reapplication of foam to
create a persistent blanket for as long as needed
6. Back burn resistance – when penetrated how well does the foam blanket reseal itself
7. Aeration needs – does it require aeration at the nozzle to be effective, most F3’s require
aeration to be effective
8. Freeze protection – resistance to freeze during storage or transport to incident
9. Container size – pails, drums, totes; once opened it should be used within 90 days unless
resealable to prevent oxidation is possible
Incident Considerations:
1. Life Safety –
a. Is everyone accounted for? if not – rescue becomes top priority
b. Can responders operate inside the incident with acceptable risk?
2. After life safety –
a. Are there resources available to initiate control and stabilization actions at the incident?
b. Are resources regionally available to arrive within a timeframe to initiate control and stabilization at the incident?
c. If A & B are negative, then non-intervention and prepare to support specialized contractor operations
3. Operational Objectives – for Unified Command
a. Isolate & control access to location
b. Can the hazard be isolated (shut in, controlled or reduced)
c. Personnel accountability & safety
d. Exposures & values at risk identified
e. What level of intervention is possible or is non-intervention best course of action
4. Logistics needed to support Operations
a. Is there adequate access & egress, and staging available
b. Water supply available by shuttle (Tenders and Commercial Trucks)
i. Fill site supervisor
1. Adaptors for hose connections
2. Traffic patterns
ii. Dump site supervisor
1. Porta-pond configuration
2. Traffic patterns
3. Adaptors for hose connections
iii. Delivery route supervisor (LE or PD) to coordinate emergency vehicle routes
iv. Road conditions (ice or snow) sand trucks or plows
c. Water supply available by hydrant or private water system:
i. LDH needed?
1. Berthoud Hose Wagon – 1.5 miles LDH
2. MV Hose Wagon – 2.5 miles LDH
ii. Relay pumper needed?
d. Water supply available by long distance draft or shuttle
i. LDH needed?
ii. Intermediate storage (Frac tanks)
1. Number of Frac tanks (22k capacity)
2. Connection hardware compatible?
e. Foam supply available
i. Foam supply supervisor
ii. Tote movement operator (bobcat/forklift)
iii. Foam manifold for continuous operations
f. Trained personnel available
i. Operations Personnel
1. Suppression tasks
2. Specific equipment operators
3. Supervisory
ii. Support Personnel needs
1. Rehab, hydration, food
2. Shelter (weather considerations)
3. Decon
4. Medical eval
g. Foam equipment
i. Flow capacity (GPM) to meet calculated need
ii. Flow reach is effective (can the target objective be successful)
h. Ancillary needs
i. Hazmat monitoring
ii. SCBA refill capability
iii. Dual Agent suppression (purple gorilla’s)
iv. Runoff containment
v. Water-way & values-at-risk diversion/protection
vi. Road and intersection controls
5. Additional ICS needs
a. PIO
b. Safety Officers
c. Accountability (check-in & check-out, reimbursement accounting)
d. Medical unit
e. Communications & IT unit
