F500 Encapsulator Foam Compound

F500

Encapsulator foam concentrate

Description

F500 encapsulator foam concentrate is based on the high performance firefighting capabilities of micelle encapsulation.

This mixture of attributes provides quick knockdown and rapid heat reduction, providing permanent burnback resistance.

F500 encapsulates hydrocarbon liquids and vapors rendering fuel non-flammable and non-ignitable while interrupting free radical coalescence, inhibiting the formation of toxic soot and smoke.

All of this leads to enhanced firefighting performance.

How does F500 distinguish itself from the traditional firefighting foam concentrate?

The Science

F500 simultaneously attacks the heat, fuel, and free radical legs of the fire tetrahedron providing rapid knockdown and extinguishment while also providing the additional benefit of minimizing smoke and soot.

Surface Tension Reduction

F500 reduces the surface tension of water. This reduced surface tension provides several benefits. First, it allows F500 to spread rapidly over the fuel area and penetrate surfaces quickly. Second, it provides for smaller droplets which means more surface area per volume of water coming out of the nozzle. This allows more of the F500 molecules to contact the fire and heat source which provides the benefits discussed below.

Rapid Cooling

While plain water provides cooling through steam conversion, creating scalding steam, and foam products form an insulating blanket that traps heat, F500 does neither of these. In contrast, one of the most unique and appreciated features of F500 is its ability to provide for rapid cooling by thermally conducting heat into the internal portion of the water droplet, consuming much more heat energy without the creation of scalding steam.

F500’s rapid cooling extends to surrounding objects, preventing re-ignition, allowing access to shutoff valves, and aiding rescue efforts.

The Unique Work of Fuel Encapsulation and Neutralization

F500’s molecular design allows for the formation of micelles, or “chemical cocoons”, around hydrocarbon fuel molecules. By bonding with the hydrocarbon molecules, F500 effectively surrounds and permanently neutralizes the fuel and its vapors, rendering them non-flammable and non-ignitable.

Interrupts Free Radical Chain Reaction

Free radicals are uncharged molecular fragments with high energy. Free radicals collide with Class A or Class B fuel sources at high speeds releasing heat and more free radicals. This sets up a chain reaction that propagates the combustion process. F500, because of its high molecular weight, acts as an inhibitor to the chain reaction by absorbing the energy released during these collisions. As the energy of combustion is reduced, the fire is more easily extinguished.

Also, as free radicals coalesce they form soot and smoke. F500 interrupts free radical chain reactions, preventing them from coalescing. Independent testing has proven that F500 in practical application reduces the toxic levels of combustion byproducts. F500’s ability to greatly reduce smoke and soot provides increased visibility and improved safety for firefighters.

Application

For Class A, Class B type fires

Class A:

Wood/ structure and wildland fires

Pulp and paper mills and recycling centers

Cotton and synthetic fiber production and products

Coal and power generation facilities

Rubber tire manufacturing and recycling plants

Class B:

Gasoline and diesel fuels

Jet A, JP4/ JP5/ JP8 aviation fuels

Acetone, Heptane and other non-polar solvents

Crude oils and refining byproducts

Polar solvents-

Ethanol and ethanol blended fuels

Industrial alcohols and solvents

Storage / Shelf life

Stored in original unbroken packaging the product will have a long shelf life of 15 years at least. As with all foams, shelf life will be dependent on storage temperatures and conditions. If the product is frozen during storage or transport, thawing will render the product completely usable.