Design and installation guide
Class A foam concentrates: wetting and cooling solid combustibles
Class A concentrates improve water wetting on wood, paper, textiles and other suitable solid combustibles. Protection considers water reaching hot areas and reducing reignition risk alongside control of visible flames.
Class A identifies the purpose. Concentration, water and equipment compatibility, environmental properties and any specialist approvals are checked for the selected model. A Class A concentrate is not automatically suitable for Class B liquids.
01
How does the foam form and provide protection?
Concentrate chemistry, proportioning with water and application method together determine foam behaviour.
Water wetting
Surfactants reduce surface tension to help water spread and wet suitable materials. Results depend on material structure, application and concentration, rather than unlimited penetration into every solid.
Foam blanket and water delivery
Aerated solution can form a visible blanket that helps retain water and identify treated areas. Wetting-oriented solution and a drier blanket may require different equipment settings.
Cooling and follow-up checks
Hot or smouldering areas are checked after suppression. Suitable foam supports access and cooling while hot-spot inspection and reignition monitoring remain necessary.
02
Selection, hardware and product condition
Combustible material, product documentation and installed hardware are assessed together for appropriate selection.
Fuel and concentration
- Suitability for the material
- Selection considers suitable Class A materials such as wood and paper. Water-reactive substances, specialist chemicals and electrical hazards require separate assessment.
- Model-specific low concentration
- Some Class A products use low concentrations. The manufacturer specifies settings for wetting, blankets or CAF applications. Increasing concentration does not necessarily improve suppression.
Proportioning and discharge equipment
- Branchpipes, nozzles and CAFS
- Hand equipment or compressed-air foam equipment is matched to the required foam structure. Air–solution balance, flow and reach follow equipment guidance. Specialist applications such as aerial delivery require their own product and hardware qualification.
- Suitable water and clean equipment
- Water type and temperature are checked without assuming seawater suitability for every Class A concentrate. After-use cleaning is planned to prevent contamination of stored concentrate.
Storage, documentation and environment
- Preserving concentrate condition
- Storage temperature and tank materials follow manufacturer instructions. Evaporation, dilution and contamination are controlled, with batch identification and sample checks recorded. Different concentrates are not mixed without documented compatibility.
- Documentation and environmental properties
- Product data, SDS and any Class A or wetting performance documentation are reviewed. Biodegradability and fluorinated ingredients depend on the model. Used solution and contaminated water require a suitable collection plan.
03
Applications and selection approach
The actual fuel, site conditions and validated scope of the selected model govern the following applications.
Wood and paper production
- Application need
- Solid materials, hot spots and operating conditions vary.
- Selection approach
- Suitable wetting and cooling are coordinated with the site response plan.
Textile and storage areas
- Application need
- Water interaction with fibres, fabric and packaging is assessed.
- Selection approach
- Access, effects on materials and reignition checks are considered together.
Fire-service and suitable outdoor use
- Application need
- Portable equipment or specialist application may be required.
- Selection approach
- Model scope, water supply and trained response arrangements are verified.
04
Checks considered together for this product
Scroll the table horizontally to view every column.
| Item | Product approach | Verification |
|---|---|---|
| Protection objective | Wetting and cooling suitable solid combustibles. | Actual material and suitability for water. |
| Concentration | Model setting for the application. | Wetting / blanket / CAF instructions. |
| Class B scope | Class A designation alone does not establish this. | Separate fuel and product performance evidence. |
| Environment | SDS and documented product properties. | Collection and management after use. |
A family description does not certify identical performance across manufacturers. Model values and approved application conditions are matched to current product data and the relevant documentation.
Share the combustible material, water supply and existing equipment so we can assess a suitable concentrate and application arrangement together.