International Fire Buyer takes you through the evolution, innovation and legislative practices of firefighting foams and their impact on the environment There are many integral fire truck systems that provide lifesaving resources and tools at the scene of an emergency. Fire-fighting foam systems are one such system, designed to improve the fire-extinguishing capabilities of water, enhancing on-scene efficiencies and promoting water use reduction. Despite the growing use among departments globally, there is some confusion as to what foam systems can offer, when to use foam systems and the types of foam required for varying emergency response needs.  Today, Firefighters are faced with an increasing number of flammable liquid and hazardous vapour risks. From traffic accidents to industrial incidents, many situations can result in a flammable liquid or hazardous vapor occurrence. Fire-fighting foam is made up of a mass of small bubbles of lower density than most flammable liquids and water. Foam is a blanketing and cooling agent produced by mixing air into a foam solution that contains water and foam concentrate.  A foam system allows a specific amount of foam to be mixed with water through the fire apparatus pump mechanisms. Anytime water is used, a foam system can be activated to improve water’s effectiveness and help expedite firefighting capabilities.  In a structure fire, water is used to remove heat from the fire by absorbing the heat in the room and cooling the available fuel. However, rather than directly contributing to the cooling of fuel below the temperature required for sustained burning, a large portion of the water hits the floor after passing through the atmosphere.  Foam concentrate, combined with water and compressed air forms a fire extinguishing agent that greatly reduces surface tension compared to that of plain water, enabling the solution to penetrate burning fuels much faster and more efficiently.  Class ‘A’ foam is used for Class ‘A’ fires, which include solid combustibles such as paper, wood, cloth and some plastics. Many Class ‘A’ foams are environmentally friendly and biodegradable when used in appropriate quantities.  Class ‘A’ foam typically runs at 0.3%, 0.5% or 1%. These are the most effective percentages based upon the foam manufacturer’s recommendations; any other percentages are considered running the foam too lean, or too rich, and are not effective. The different percentages are directly related to the size and type of fire at an emergency scene, as well as the equipment being used to apply the water and foam.  Class ‘B’ foam is used for Class ‘B’ fires, which are fires that involve flammable liquids such as alcohol, ether, oil, gasoline or grease. Class ‘B’ fires are best extinguished by smothering or applying a blanket of Class ‘B’ foam, which is meant to float on the surface of burning fluid. When Class ‘B’ foams are sprayed with water, the foam rises to the surface to create a vapor barrier to cut off the fuel source. Class ‘B’ foams require special clean-up after a fire by state or federal authorities.  Class ‘B’ foam typically runs at 1%, 3% or 6%. These are the most effective percentages based upon the foam manufacturer’s recommendations. Much like Class ‘A’ foams, the percentages are directly related to the fire size and type as well as the equipment used.  Departure from traditional foams  Water has long been a universal agent for suppressing fires but is not necessarily the best choice for all cases and certain classes of fires.  Firefighting foams are a fire-extinguishing agent for flammable and combustible liquids. Unlike other extinguishing agents such as water, dry chemicals, CO2, etc., a stable foam can extinguish a flammable or combustible liquid fire.  They do this by the combined mechanisms of cooling, separating the flame/ignition source from the flame/product surface, suppressing vapors, and smothering the fire until it’s extinguished.  Dangers of PFAS   Conventional firefighting foams contain several dangerous components: A combination of water, pressurised air, polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS), or perfluorochemicals (PFCs) substances. The mixture of these substances is more effective at controlling fires than just water, especially fuel-based fires. However, unlike water and air, PFAS and PFCs are human-made chemicals that do not break down over time.  Once dispersed, the chemicals can reside in a human’s body, going undetected for years and run into local water sources without anyone realizing it. (“Firefighting foam linked to health issues like cancer,” 2019) Firefighters run a considerable risk of cancer when exposed to these harmful chemicals.  Also, if humans consume water or food products contaminated with PFAS or PFCs, they could develop serious health problems such as:  Testicular and kidney cancer  Thyroid disease  Ulcerative colitis  Other health issues, such as hormonal imbalances  Senate Bill No.1044   Alongside evolving legislation around this topic, a new Senate Bill No.1044 will come into effect in 2022 which manufacturers and fire industry professionals must be aware of.   Existing law authorises the State Fire Marshal to make such changes as may be necessary to standardise all existing fire protective equipment throughout the state and requires the State Fire Marshal to notify industrial establishments and property owners having equipment for fire protective purposes of the changes necessary to bring their equipment into conformity with standard requirements.  This bill, commencing January 1, 2022, would require any person, as defined, including a manufacturer, as defined, that sells firefighter personal protective equipment to any person to provide a written notice to the purchaser at the time of sale if the firefighter personal protective equipment contains intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).  The bill would require the seller and the purchaser to retain a copy of the written notice on file for at least 3 years and to furnish the notice and associated sales documentation to the Attorney General, a city attorney, a county counsel, or a district attorney within 60 days upon request, as provided.  The bill would authorise the Attorney General, a city attorney, a county counsel, or a district attorney to request from a manufacturer, and the bill would require the manufacturer to provide, a certificate of compliance that certifies that