Demonstration of a PFAS-Free Fire Suppression Alternative to Aqueous Film-Forming Foams

A nontoxic alternative to traditional aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) for sprayable fire retardants offered by Paradise Environmental Group (Paradise, PA) was tested by U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center (Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD). Liquid solutions of this material, known as BlazeCheck, are easily mixed in either fresh or salt water. Their method of action is presumed to be emulsification of the fuel volume, which lowers the vapor pressure required to ignite and sustain combustion. This is in contrast to the action of AFFFs, which create an oxygen-depriving film over the surface and are considered to be toxic to the environment and to humans. Laboratory testing to verify the noncorrosive nature of BlazeCheck as well as its material and physical properties and lack of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS)-containing compounds was followed up with field testing to verify its performance against liquid fuel fires, metal fuel fires, and pyrotechnic fires.