Principles of Foam Fire Fighting (1st Edition)
Complete List of Terms
25 Percent Drain Time
The time required in minutes for one-fourth of the total liquid solution to drain from a foam blanket. Synonymous with Quarter-Life and Quarter Drain Time.
Actuator
A triggering device, most commonly heat or flame detection-driven, used on automatic protection systems.
Adhesion
The act of binding together substances of unlike compositions.
Adverse
Abnormal or unusual; as in conditions.
Aeration
The introduction of air into a foam solution to create bubbles that result in finished foam. Synonymous with Foam Expansion.
Alternative Fuel Vehicle
A vehicle which runs on fuel other than gasoline.
AnchorPoint
A safe, secure area where a wildfire attack begins.
Application Rate
The minimum amount of foam solution that must be applied to a fire, per minute, per square foot of fire.
Approach Suit
Special personal protective gear designed to protect against radiant heat while approaching the fire.
Aspirated Foam
Foam that has air injected into the stream.
Auto-Ignition Temperature
Temperature at which a substance will ignite without an outside ignition source.
Axiom
A self-evident or necessary truth.
Backdraft
Condition created by a sudden inflow of fresh air to an oxygen-deficient smoldering fire which creates an explosion.
Backfire
Technique used in the indirect attack method for natural cover fires in which a fire is intentionally set between the control line and the advancing fire.
Backpressure
Pressure loss or gain created by changes in elevation between the nozzle and the pump.
Bank-Down Method
A method of foam application that is employed when an elevated object is near or within the area of a burning pool of liquid in which the foam is directed off of the elevated object, allowing the foam to run down onto the surface of the fuel.
Batch-Mixing
The making of foam solution by pouring an appropriate amount of foam concentrate into a water tank.
Biodegradable
Capable of being broken down into innocuous products by the action of living things, such as microorganisms.
Boilover
Overflow of crude oil from its container when the heat wave reaches the water level in the tank which causes water to turn to steam and a violent expulsion of the material occurs.
British Thermal Unit
The amount of heat required to raise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.
Burnback Resistance
The ability of a foam blanket to resist direct flame impingement such as would be evident in a partially extinguished petroleum fire.
Chemical Foams
Foams produced as a result of a reaction between two chemicals.
CHEMTREC/CANUTEC
Organization which acts as a source of information on chemicals and physical characteristics of products.
Class A Fire
Class of fire involving normal combustibles such as wood, paper, and cloth.
Class A Foam
Foam specially designed for use on ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, and cloth.
Class B Fire
Class of fire involving flammable and combustible liquids and gases such as gasoline, kerosene, and propane.
Class B Foam
Foam designed to be used on spills or fires involving flammable or combustible liquids.
Class C Fire
Fires involving energized electrical equipment.
Cohesion
The act of binding together substances of like composition.
Combies Aircraft
Large aircraft with a passenger cabin in the front of the aircraft and a separate cargo compartment in the rear of the aircraft. Synonymous with Combination Aircraft.
Combination Aircraft
Large aircraft with a passenger cabin in the front of the aircraft and a separate cargo compartment in the rear of the aircraft. Synonymous with Combies Aircraft.
Combustible Liquid
A liquid having a flash point at or above 100oF and below 200oF.
Commercial Aviation Aircraft
Airline, commuter, cargo, and fire fighting aircraft classification.
Conduction
Transfer of heat through direct contact between two objects or through contact with an intervening medium that transfers heat.
Conductivity
The ability of a substance to conduct an electrical current.
Conduit
A pipe or channel.
Confinement
The process of controlling the flow of a spill and capturing it at a specified location; or, fire fighting operations required to prevent fire from extending to uninvolved areas or structures.
Containment
The act of stopping the further release of a material from its container.
Containment Boom
A floating physical barrier serving as a continuous obstruction to the spread of a contaminant.
Convection
Transfer of heat by the movement of fluids such as air or water.
Cooling
The act of lowering the temperature of the fuel and adjacent surfaces.
Corrosives
Those materials that cause harm to living organisms by destroying body tissues.
Dead-Man Valve
A spring-loaded valve that controls the flow of fuel from a loading rack to a tank and is designed to shut off immediately when the operator releases the handle.
Declared Emergency
An aircraft emergency in which an aircraft crew is aware that there is a problem and before they prepare to land notify the airport authorities of the emergency.
Decomposition
The breakdown of a substance over time due to chemical action or natural decay.
Defensive Attack
Exterior fire attack with emphasis on exposure protection.
Density
Weight per unit volume of a substance which is obtained by dividing the weight by volume.
Diked Areas
Areas that are either bounded by natural or man-made barriers intended to keep spilled fuel within these boundaries.
Direct Attack
Application of a fire stream directly onto a burning fuel; or, to attack a natural cover fire at or close to the burning edge.
Drainage Dropout Rate
The amount of time it takes for foam to break down. Synonymous with Drainage Rate and Drainage Time.
Drainage Rate
The amount of time it takes for foam to break down. Synonymous with Drainage Rate and Drainage Dropout Rate.
Drainage Time
The amount of time it takes for foam to break down. Synonymous with Drainage Rate and Drainage Dropout Rate.
Dry Foam
Foam that has a very high air-to-foam solution ratio.
Eductor
Portable proportioning device that injects a liquid, such as foam concentrate, into the water flowing through a hoseline.
Electromagnetic Waves
Waves of heat radiated from an object of critical importance to exposure protection.
Engine Nacelles
The protective housing surrounding the working parts of the engine.
Envelopment
Attacking key or critical segments around the entire fire perimeter at the same time.
Explosive Limit
Percentage of a substance in air that will burn once ignited. Synonymous with Flammable Limit.
ExplosiveRange
The range between the upper flammable limit (UEL) and lower flammable limit (LEL) in which a substance can be ignited. Synonymous with FlammableRange.
Exposure Protection
Covering any object in the immediate vicinity of the fire with water or foam.
Feed
To add to the intensity of.
Fire Flow
Quantity of water available for fire fighting in a given area; or, the amount of water required to extinguish a fire in a timely manner.
Fire Point
Temperature at which a liquid fuel produces sufficient vapors to support combustion once the fuel is ignited. Synonymous with Burning Point.
Fire Tetrahedron
Model of the four elements required to have a fire in which the four sides represent fuel, heat, oxygen, and chemical chain reaction.
Fire Triangle
Plane geometric figure in which the three sides of an equilateral triangle represent oxygen, heat, and fuel, the elements necessary to sustain combustion.
Flame Spread
The spreading of flames from a point of origin to near by combustibles.
Flammable Limit
Percentage of a substance in air that will burn once ignited. Synonymous with Explosive Limit.
Flammable Liquid
Any liquid having a flash point below 100oF and having a vapor pressure not exceeding 40psi absolute.
Flank
Sides of a natural cover fire.
Flanking
Attacking the sides of the fire from a less active area or from an anchor point.
Flashover
Stage of fire at which all surfaces and objects within a space have been heated to their ignition temperature and flame breaks out almost at once over the surface of all objects in the space.
Flow Rate
The velocity at which water or a waterous solution flows through fire hose or appliances.
Foam
Extinguishing agent formed by mixing foam concentrate with water and aerating the solution for expansion. Also known as finished foam.
Foam Concentrate
The raw foam liquid as it rests in its storage container prior to the introduction of water and air.
Foam Expansion
The introduction of air into a foam solution to create bubbles that result in finished foam. Synonymous with Aeration.
Foam Monitor
A foam master stream nozzle.
Foam Proportioner
Device that injects the correct amount of foam concentrate into the water stream to make the foam solution.
Foam Solution
Mixture of foam concentrate and water after it leaves the proportioner but before it is discharged from the nozzle and air is added to it.
Foam Stability
The relative ability of foam to withstand spontaneous collapse or breakdown from external causes.
Forcing Foam Maker
An in-line aspirator used to deliver foam under pressure in which air is supplied directly to the foam solution through a venturi action. Synonymous with High-Backpressure Foam Maker.
Frangible
Easily broken; used in many automatic fire protection systems.
Free-Burning Phase
Generally considered the phase of the fire where sufficient oxygen and fuel are available for fire growth and open burning to a point where total involvement is possible. Synonymous with Steady-State Phase.
Frontal Attack
Situation where the crew begins the attack from an anchor point at or near the head of the fire and then proceeds to the flanks.
General Aviation Aircraft
Aircraft used for pleasure or training, business, or agricultural purposes.
Handline Nozzle
Any nozzle that can be safely handled by one to three firefighters and flows less than 350gpm.
Heat Resistance
A foam's ability to resist the actual heat of the liquid or surface on which it is applied.
High-Backpressure Foam Maker
An in-line aspirator used to deliver foam under pressure in which air is supplied directly to the foam solution through a venturi action. Synonymous with Forcing Foam Maker.
High-Impact Crashes
Aircraft crashes with severe damage to the fuselage and with a significantly reduced chance of occupant survival.
Homogenous
A substance having uniform structure or composition throughout.
Hot-Smoldering Phase
Phase of combustion when the level of oxygen in a confined space is below that needed for flaming combustion and is characterized by glowing embers, high heat at all levels of the room, and heavy smoke and fire gas production.
Hydrocarbon
An organic compound containing only hydrogen and carbon and found primarily in petroleum products and coal.
Hydrolyze
A chemical process of decomposition involving splitting of a bond and the addition of the elements of water.
Hypergolics
A chemical reaction between a fuel and an oxidizer that causes immediate ignition on contact without the presence of air.
Immiscible
Not capable of mixing together.
Impingement
To move upon as in flame.
Incipient Phase
First phase of the burning process where the substance being oxidized is producing some heat, but the heat has not spread to other substances nearby and the oxygen in air has not been significantly reduced.
Incompressible
Inability to be compressed into a smaller space.
Indirect Attack
Directing the fire stream at the ceiling level of a room or building in order to generate a large amount of steam which in turn darkens the fire and cools the area so that firefighters may enter and make a direct attack; or, a method of controlling a wildfire where the control line is constructed or located some distance from the edge of the main fire.
In-Flight Emergencies
Emergencies that include fires as well as other problems that may cause or contribute to fire such as hydraulic failure, engine failure, landing gear malfunction, or other system malfunctions of an aircraft that is in flight.
Inherent
An essential characteristic; intrinsic quality.
Inorganic Acid
An acid generally does not contain carbon and will not burn.
Jettisoned
Removal of an object from an aircraft while in flight.
Joule
The amount of heat energy provided by one watt flowing for one second.
Knockdown
To reduce in size or contain.
Life of Foam
The period of time that the foam blanket remains in place until more foam must be applied.
Loading Racks
Fixed facilities where either truck or railroad tank cars are bulk loaded with flammable and combustible liquids.
Low-Expansion Foam
A form of foam which creates an aqueous film that floats on top of fuels; also called "light water".
Low-Impact Crashes
Aircraft crashes that do not severely damage or break up the fuselage and are likely to have a large percentage of survivors.
Mechanical Foam
Foam produced by physical agitation of a mixture of water, air, and a foaming agent.
Mechanical Shoe Seal
A fabric seal that is anchored to the top of the roof and rides on the inside of a large fuel storage tank wall. Synonymous with Pantograph Seal.
Military Aviation Aircraft
Classification of aircraft which includes cargo, fighter, bomber, trainer, and special mission aircraft.
Miscible
The ability to mix together.
Mitigated
End process of lessening severity or danger from a situation.
Mobile Foam Apparatus
Apparatus used to fight large-scale flammable and combustible liquid fires in areas that are not protected by fixed systems.
Non-Intervention
Allowing the fire to burn until all fuel has been consumed.
Octane
A characteristic of petroleum products which indicates its burning efficiency.
Oleophobic
The characteristic of shedding oil.
Opaque
Impenetrable to light.
Organic Acid
An acid that contains carbon and will burn.
Orifice
A hole or small opening.
Overproportioning
The result of to much foam concentrate being educted into the water stream due to incorrect settings or a clogged orifice.
Oxidation
Chemical reaction in which oxygen combines with other elements.
Oxidizer
Substance that yields oxygen readily and may simulate the combustion of organic and inorganic matter.
Pantograph Seal
A fabric seal that is anchored to the top of the roof and rides on the inside of a large fuel storage tank wall. Synonymous with Mechanical Shoe Seal.
Peripheral
To the side; outer edge.
Point and Cut Off
Attacking several heads or fingers of a wildfire at the same time and then connecting the short line segments.
Polar Solvents
Flammable liquids that have an attraction to water.
Positive Heat Balance
Situation in which heat is fed back to the fuel.
Preclude
To rule out by circumstance.
Premixing
Mixing premeasured portions of water and foam concentrate in a container.
Proportioning
The mixing of water with an appropriate amount of foam concentrate to form a foam solution.
Proximity Suit
Specialized protective gear which has an aluminized surface to allow firefighters to move in close to put out a fire.
Purge
The process of emptying.
Pyrolysis
Chemical decomposition caused by heat that generally results in the lowered ignition temperature of a material.
Quarter Drain Time
The time required in minutes for one-fourth of the total liquid solution to drain from a foam blanket. Synonymous with 25 Percent Drain Time and Quarter Drain Time.
Quarter-Life
The time required in minutes for one-fourth of the total liquid solution to drain from a foam blanket. Synonymous with 25 Percent Drain Time and Quarter Drain Time.
Radiation
Transfer of heat through heat waves (infrared).
Radiative Feedback
Radiant heat providing energy for continued vaporization.
Rain-Down Method
A method of foam application in which the foam stream is directed into the air and allowed to gently float down onto the surface of the fuel.
Rate of Vaporization
The speed at which a liquid evaporates or vaporizes.
Refractometer
A device used to measure the amount of foam concentrate in a solution.
Reignition
To re-enter flame state due to inadequate extinguishment.
Residual Fuel
Unburned fuel left behind after a fire.
Resistance to Freezing
A foam concentrate's usefullness after it has been frozen and then thawed.
Retention
The characteristic of Class A foam and foam solution to remain on and in the fuel, reduce the fuel temperature, and increase the fuel moisture content.
Roll-On Method
A method of foam application in which the foam stream is directed onto the ground near the front edge of a liquid pool on fire and rolls across the surface of the fuel.
Rollover
Unburned superheated combustible gases released during the incipient or early steady-state phase that accumulate at ceiling level and are pushed, under pressure, away from the fire area and into uninvolved areas where they mix with oxygen and ignite once reaching their ignition temperature resulting in flames rolling across the ceiling.
Rotor
Part of a helicopter that provides for lateral and vertical movement.
Semisubsurface Injection
A process in which foam is discharged through a flexible hose that rises from the bottom of a tank, up through the fuel, and to the surface.
Separating
The act of creating a barrier between the fuel and the fire.
Shelf Life
The time period that a product will work if stored properly prior to use.
Ship
Another name for aircraft.
Size-Up
Mental evaluation made by the operational officer in charge that enables them to accomplish the mission; or a mental evaluation process that evaluates all influencing factors before committing personnel and equipment to a course of action.
Skin
The outer covering of an aircraft.
Skydrol
A type of synthetic hydrocarbon hydraulic fluid used in some aircraft.
Solubility
Degree to which a solid, liquid, or gas dissolves in a solvent.
Specific Gravity
Weight of a substance compared to the weight of an equal volume of water at a given temperature.