Comments on: Fire Truck Responding- Engine 16

By: xx7stringxx

xx7stringxx — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:39:15 +0000

Another thing we …
Another thing we noticed between the 2 was the distance when attacking a fire. Class A was much more effective on knockdown at a distance vs water but close in, as we use to fight, there’s no difference. We use to have a saying that if you couldnt touch it, you weren’t close enough. We extinguished many working structure fires, including hydraulic ventilating, using between 250 and 500 gal.

By: xx7stringxx

xx7stringxx — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:39:15 +0000

I never understood …
I never understood the use of Class A foam. I understand the theory behind it, but i have experimented with Class A vs water many times and found that a fire can be extinguished just as fast with plain old water as it can with foam. The biggest key we noticed with experimenting between the 2 was experience on the nozzle and with the crew. You can see the same thing on Class B fires too or any fire for that matter. Me personally, just give me the wet stuff to put on the red stuff.

By: xx7stringxx

xx7stringxx — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:39:15 +0000

Also, the reason to …
Also, the reason to carry AFFF is to extinguish class B fires that you may encounter during a vehicle fire, industrial fire, vehicle fire, etc. As with almost all Hydrocarbon liquids (oil based products), their are lighter than water and thus will float on water and spread the fire. Yes, you can use water fog to extinguish and contain the fire, but why bother when you can set your foam system to 3-6% and use an aspirating nozzle and put the thing out in minutes.

By: xx7stringxx

xx7stringxx — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:39:15 +0000

I use to be an …
I use to be an Industrial Firefighter/HazMat Specialist/Foam and Flammable Liquids Technician, so I speak from many years and many fires of experience in saying that foam is not as effective on this type of fire that it would be on another type, like say class B. With a fire like this, penetration is key to extinguishing the fire and preventing a rekindle and the best way to penetrate a bunch of debris is a straight tip nozzle or use of a deludge gun. Personally, I think Class A foam is a joke.

By: fatboycj65

fatboycj65 — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:39:15 +0000

You are correct, …
You are correct, but why carry AFFF in the tank when most fires you are going to extinguish are Class A type fires. Most Engines I see today have both A & B foam tanks to select from. It should only take less than two gallons of concentrate to fill a dumpster, it does not cost a whole lot. You wast more flowing your foam system every week. Fot not being effective any surfactant works on Class A fires just not the other way around.

By: ldr1ff

ldr1ff — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:39:15 +0000

I love Mars 888 …
I love Mars 888 lights. Always a great attention getter.

By: 1kallogs

1kallogs — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:39:15 +0000

We use foam on all …
We use foam on all fires! except we didnt use afff on this fire. or any other class b. we used class a foam. we use the very same thing on house fires too.

By: Thebookguy1

Thebookguy1 — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:39:15 +0000

Thx I appreciate it!
Thx I appreciate it!

By: xx7stringxx

xx7stringxx — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:39:15 +0000

Foam is a waste of …
Foam is a waste of money on a dumpster fire. Besides, the most common foam, AFFF, isnt not effective on Class A fires or fires with un even surfaces. It works by producing a thin layer or film and surpressing flammable liquid vapors, thus extinguisher a fire, hence the name, Aquious Film Forming Foam. or A Triple F as its known in the fire service.

By: xx7stringxx

xx7stringxx — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:39:15 +0000

After 9-11 happened …
After 9-11 happened, our sister station, Station 55 Emlenton PA, sponsored FDNY station 55 in “Little Italy”, that lost 5 guys in the WTC collapse, and I asked their LT. that same question and what he said was the origins of that were suppose to be because it is the Fire Department of New York City instead of New City Fire Department, hence the FDNY, as opposed to the New York City Police Department (NYPD). Thats the best I can help you with and hoped that answered your question.