The evolution of firefighting foam
- November 8, 2023
- 8:00 am
Iain Hoey
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John Ottesen, CEO and Founder of Fomtec, navigates the complexities of the transition to fluorine free foam
In the rapidly evolving landscape of fire suppression, the transition to fluorine-free firefighting foam represents a pivotal shift.
At the intersection of environmental considerations and industry necessities, the transformation from C8 to C6 chemistry and the shift towards fluorine-free alternatives heralds a new era.
John Ottesen, the visionary CEO and Founder of Fomtec, provides an insider’s view of this intricate journey, emphasising the implications for the industry and the planet.
“The transition away from PFAS based firefighting foams is what everything is about these days,” Ottesen begins.
He highlights the urgency surrounding the decision to move away from PFAS, a topic at the forefront of discussions amongst legislators, consumers, and industry players.
“The current legislation is addressing the discontinuation of a PFAS substance called PFOA.
Fomtec completed the transition from PFOA based C8 chemistry to C6 chemistry in 2014 but now the EU has put in place legislation which brings to an end the legal use of C8 foams by July 4, 2025.
The legislation actually restricts the use of PFOA but no C8 foam will meet those restriction levels for PFOA..
Ottesen adds that the EU has now turned its attention to the shorter chain fluorochemicals and there are two pieces of legislation going through the legal process which will effectively provide a timeline for the use of PFAS containing foam agents.
Fomtec began its C8 to C6 transition in 2010.
The challenge lay in the misconception that C6 could replace C8 seamlessly as although they may appear similar, the process is not as simple as swapping percentages of C8 with C6.
“It wasn’t merely a matter of changing a chemical.
Re-qualifying products to meet the various fire performance standards including UL and FM required extensive fire testing,” Ottesen tells.
By the end of 2014, Fomtec completed its C6 transition, more than 12 months before the deadline required under the US EPA 2015 PFOA Stewardship Programme.
This transition was more than just a regulatory move for Fomtec as it came at the time where the company was looking to increase market penetration in the North American markets through the partnership with the Viking Group and the need for increased approvals with UL and FM.
Changing the game
Delving into the evolution of Fomtec’s fluorine-free foams, Ottesen looks back to 2010 at which point a large multinational launched a fluorine-free foam: “I said, ‘If they’re adopting that approach, we definitely need to get started’”.
This saw the birth of what eventually became Fomtec’s Enviro programme.
Fomtec soon saw a chemical breakthrough which led to the introduction of the ‘Enviro Plus’ series of products, which are still part of Fomtec’s portfolio today: “The DNA of that product is still with us today in our most advanced products because it really was a game-changer.”
After their successful transition from C8 to C6, Fomtec redirected its focus entirely towards the development of fluorine-free foam.
The primary objective of the Enviro programme was to develop fluorine-free products that could equal the performance of their fluorinated counterparts, with a particulare focus for those used in fixed foam systems like sprinkler systems.
Achieving this goal led to a significant milestone: “It was a major breakthrough for us having a sprinkler-enabled fluorine-free foam passing UL 162 and FM 5130 sprinkler approvals.”
Fomtec launched the fluorine-free foam solution Enviro USP in 2016.
This was followed a few years later by the Enviro ARC, which was the first fluorine-free foam to be FM approved with a standard sprinkler for polar solvents.
Fomtec remained unchallenged in this domain for nearly two years before any competitor achieved the same FM 5130 approvals.
When asked about Fomtec’s approach to ensuring international safety standards, Ottesen underlines the exhaustive process of research and development.
“We have carried out 2,500 fire tests to date.
In our R&D process we create hundreds upon hundreds of formulations,” he explains.
Only a fraction of these undergo initial fire tests, and after identifying the most promising candidates, they are subjected to extensive full scale fire testing.
“We want to make sure the products not only to pass a test but can be genuinely versatile products that can be used in a real-world system.
Client needs
When asked about what clients typically seek in a firefighting foam, Ottesen explains that what most clients really want is a “drop-in replacement”: “They want to remove the current foam and replace with the new foam.”
But the reality, as Ottesen aptly put, isn’t so straightforward.
A one-size-fits-all solution is, in the majority cases, a fantasy.
Yet, Fomtec’s commitment to its clients remains unyielding.
Ottesen says that clients receive is honest consultation, tailored solutions, and well-documented product guidance: “What they get from us is an honest answer,” Ottesen emphasises.
This involves a holistic review of the client’s specific requirements – from application, fuels, and heights to approval needs.
Ottesen’s candid insight underscores a truth that’s often glossed over in the industry – the sheer complexity of transitioning from PFAS-containing foams to fluorine-free alternatives.
Such a transition isn’t as straightforward as it might seem.
even before considering the often-overlooked challenges of cleaning and decontamination.
Essential equipment
Ottesen makes the point that whilst the foam concentrate composition is important he says that it is important to remember that it is the finished foam that extinguishes the fires.
He highlights the critical bond between the foam concentrate and the system that disperses it.
“The marriage of the concentrate with the system requires that you test the concentrate with the system components,” he stresses, adding, “If you have not tested it how can we know how it performs ?.”
The sensitivity of fluorine-free foams towards equipment, particularly the discharge devices, is delicate: “The nozzle dictates what finished foam qualities a suppression system will yield, and this is absolutely crucial to the performance of the system.”
To emphasise his point, he says that it can come down to minute differences in nozzle design, dismissing the oversimplified notion that ‘a sprinkler is a sprinkler’.
This holistic approach is supported by established guidelines and standards, such as UL162, FM 5130, FM data pages, and NFPA standards.
However, the distinction that must be understood is that UL and FM approve systems, not products.
This means the foam concentrate, proportioner, and discharge device need to be tested together.
Without comprehensive testing, says Ottesen, it is impossible to predict the fire performance.
Enviro USP and ARK
Shifting focus to Fomtec’s products, specifically the Enviro range, Ottesen says: “The Enviro USP is quite unique.”
With the influx of fluorine-free foams in the market in the last 5 years, all seemingly 3 x 3’s suitable for hydrocarbon and polar solvents, the Enviro USP carves its niche.
Launched in 2016 as an alternative to AFFF, its primary design intention was to suppress fires from hydrocarbon fuels.
“We wanted a really high-performance sprinkler-capable replacement of AFFF, and USP is exactly that,” he says, highlighting its efficacy and its commercial viability.
The Enviro ARK is Fomtec’s fluorine free alternative to a high performance sprinkler capable AR-AFFF and we regard this as one of the major stars in the Enviro range.
Ottesen stresses the adaptability and performance of their foams to suit the different applications and missions.
“What’s distinctive about the USP is its versatility across various applications.
“It consistently delivers exceptional performance no matter the challenge.
“We continue to add approvals and test this product in different applications.”
Fluorinated firefighting foam’s persistence
An emerging question within the industry pertains to the continued manufacturing of fluorinated foams, especially given the growing emphasis on fluorine-free alternatives.
As two large multinational companies pull out of fluorinated foams, where does Fomtec stand on this contentious issue?
When posed with this question, Ottesen says Fomtec has already adopted its position and is happy to state: “We are going to carry on supporting our clients who still have C6-fluorinated foams for their systems and have operational plans based on the use of equipment designed for use with C6 foams.
“To do this we plan to continue to manufacture C6 foams for as long as we are allowed to do so, and for as long as it is economically viable to do so.”
Ottesen references the impending legislation, highlighting the proactive stance of the foam industry: “Our industry has said we need derogations to allow foam users to effect the transition away from PFAs foams.
“The EPA and the European Union has proposed derogations for various industries, especially for the high-risk industries, of up to 10 years to enable them a safe transition away from PFAS foam.”
Acknowledging the challenges of swift transitions for high-risk industries, Ottesen stresses the need for continuity in the foam market.
“I believe there’s a crucial need to fill that gap.
“We’re committed to remaining in that market segment, offering fluorinated foam, playing our part for a safe transition for those clients who need the time to make the switch.”
His closing thoughts echo Fomtec’s commitment to the broader community of fire safety stakeholders: “We’ll carry on supporting our clients with C6 form for as long as we are allowed to do it and for as long as it’s economically viable to do so.”
Fluorine Free Foams – Are we there yet?
In this online-exclusive, Fomtec Owner and CEO John Ottesen reflects on how far Fomtec’s range of Enviro Fluorine Free Foams have progressed towards the target of being able to achieve similar performance to the last generation of PFAS containing C6 fluorinated foams manufactured by Fomtec, reinforcing Fomtec’s commitment to ‘data not opinion’: https://internationalfireandsafetyjournal.com/fluorine-free-foams-are-we-there-yet/
