TESTIMONY REGARDING THE USE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF PHOS-CHEK LONG-TERM

FIRE RETARDANT

TO PROTECT HOMES AND OTHER STRUCTURES

By

GEORGE A. ROBY

Retired Fire Chief & Incident Commander For The United States Forest Service

and International Wildfire Management Consultant

As I travel all over the United States and in other world areas, I often get asked if Phos-Chek (R)

fire retardant is effective in protecting homes and other structures during wildfires. I have over

forty years of experience in managing wildfires. During this time I have been involved in

hundreds of wildland fire incidents. Many of these fire incidents occurred in the urban/wildland

interface or intermix. Most of the more complex wildfire incidents require that actions be taken to

protect homes, structures, and other items of value on both government and private lands.

Fortunately, during many of these challenging incidents I was able to get air support from

(helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft) by dropping Phos-Chek long-term fire retardants. In addition

to enhancing my ability to establish miles of effective long-term retardant containment and

control lines, in the wildlands, the air support also provided me with Phos-Chek retardant which I

used as an effective resource to help protect homes and other structures that were at risk. By

applying a Phos-Chek long-term retardant barrier, on the vegetation adjacent to structures these

improvements can be effectively protected.

I can honestly say that I have personally witnessed many situations where hundreds of homes

and structures have been saved and damages minimized by the using Phos-Chek long-term fire

retardants during wildfire incidents. Phos-Chek provides long-term protection that retards the

wildfire’s encroachment into unburned fuels allowing more time for ground resources to safely

move-in and complete the control and mop-up processes. Long-term retardant protection can

last for many hours, days, and even weeks depending on the circumstances involved at the time

of application. I have observed instances where the retardant application was effective for

several months. In many cases wildfire control lines were held by Phos-Chek retardant without

further requirement for ground action.

I also frequently get asked why Phos-Chek works so much better than plain water, foam, and

other suppressants. Following is a brief explanation of a very complex process:

 Suppressants, such as water and foam, both rely solely on their contained water as the

active ingredient for their fire suppression effectiveness. Once the water evaporates,

either by solar radiation or by the wildfire induced radiation and convection, they no

longer impact the wildfire’s progress so the fire is quickly up-and-running again as it was

prior to coming in contact with the water yeilding suppressants. Depending on the

weather and the fire behavior conditions, the evaporation time for water is very short –

ranging at best from 10 to 30 +/- minutes.

 Phos-Chek long-term retardant, on the other hand, does not rely on contained water for

its effectiveness. The only reason that Phos-Chek retardant is applied as a water

containing solution is to allow it to be mixed and applied to the fuels-at-risk (in this case

cellulose containing vegetation). The Phos-Chek retardants were developed,

specifically, to retard fire in fuels that contain cellulose (grass, brush, trees, paper,

lumber, etc.). Most structures, in the urban/wildland interface or intermix, have cellulosic

fuels in close proximity and in most cases are constructed with forest products such as

lumber, cedar/redwood shakes, and many have wooden decks, porches and foundation

support structures. These are the fuel types that Phos-Chek retardant was designed to

protect from fire.

 The chemical structure of a molecule of cellulose is C6H10O5. When cellulosic fuels

decompose (burn) they emit many volatile gases (ethane, propane, methane, butane,

etc, etc, etc.) and many flammable oils and tars that actually carry the flames and cause

rapid wildfire rate-of-spread. The same decomposition process applies to most

structural components made from wood.

 The components in Phos-Chek long-term retardants, when in contact with cellulosic

fuels, actually change the decomposition process (burning) of these fuel types. When

Phos-Chek retardant is present, the route of decomposition of cellulosic fuels is

changed so that a highly temperature resistant graphite-like carbon ( C) char , and

water (H2O) are formed rather than the flammable gases and tars that would otherwise

result. Not only does the retardant alter the thermal decomposition to deprive it of fuel

but the resultant water also cools adjacent fuels during this decomposition process. This

reaction takes place if Phos-Chek retardant solution has been recently applied on the

fuels or if it was applied weeks/months before and all of its contained water has already

evaporated. Phos-Chek is effective as long as it physically remains on the fuels.

I have been very impressed with the effectiveness of Phos-Chek for many, many years. As I

conduct my International consulting business around the Globe, I always recommend Phos-

Chek retardants for the long-term fire protection in the urban/wildland interface and intermix, as

well as on remote wildfire incidents, as it is the highest performing and most environmentally

friendly product I have ever worked with.

George A. Roby

International Consultant

Arrowhead Wildfire 2000, Inc.

From :

http://www.fireveil.com/retard

ant/

 

3% AFFF Aqueous Film Forming Firefighting Foam 3% Military Specification

AFFF

   

  Part Number: CHI-C301MS 

  

     

     

   Aqueous Film Forming Foam

(AFFF) Synthetic Foams

  

FIREHOUSE Quality Aqueous Film

Forming Foam (AFFF) - These

agents are biodegradable and

environmentally friendly foams

which require very low energy

input to produce a very high

quality foam blanket that floats

on the fuel surface. The

application of AFFF provides the

fastest knockdown on

hydrocarbon fuel fires (gasoline,

kerosene, diesel, etc.) and

quickly covers the fuel surface.

AFFF may also be used on Class

A fires. All of Chemguard's AFFF

products are intended for use at

the proportioning rate of of the

product description, i.e. 1% = 1

part concentrate to 99 parts

water, 3% = 3 parts concentrate

to 97 parts water, etc.

DESCRIPTION

FIREHOUSE Quality 3% AFFF

C301 MS is a specially

formulated, synthetic, aqueous

film forming foam concentrate. A

vapor suppressing aqueous film

is formed by the foam solution

draining from the expanded

foam blanket. It is intended for

use at a proportioning rate of 3%

(3 parts concentrate to 97 parts

water) on Class B hydrocarbon

type fuels such as gasoline,

kerosene, diesel, etc.

FIREHOUSE Quality 3% AFFF is

not intended for use on fuels

which are polar solvent/water

miscible such as lcohols,

ketones, esters, etc.

FEATURES

FIREHOUSE Quality 3% AFFF C-

301 MS concentrate appears on

the QPL (Qualified Products List)

for MIL-F-24385F. Subsequently

this product conforms to all

performance and compatibility

requirements of U.S. Military

Specifications MIL-F-24385F.

FIREHOUSE Quality 3% AFFF C-

301 MS is the only MIL-SPEC

approved AFFF concentrate on

the QPL that is of the “New-

Generation”

of “Earth Friendly” foam

concentrates. · U.L. Listed, Foam

Liquid Concentrates

· Suitable for use with either

fresh or salt water

· Excellent wetting

characteristics when used in

combating Class A fuel fires

· Suitable for use with both

aspirating foam and standard

water fog nozzles

· Suitable for use with deluge or

closed head foam water

sprinkler systems

· If inadvertently frozen, thawing

will render product completely

serviceable again.

· Suitable for use with carbon

steel, fiberglass,

polyethylene or stainless steel.

Chemguard 3% AFFF C-301 MS is

not compatible with galvanized

pipe or fittings in an undiluted

form.

· Suitable for use with siliconized

dry chemical

extinguishing agents

· U. L. recommended application

rate on hydrocarbon type fuels is

.10/gpm ft.²

Synthetic AFFF Foam

3% MS AFFF

Part No. C-301 MS

FOAMING PROPERTIES

Aspirating type discharge

devices typically generate

expansion ratios between 6-10

to 1 when 3% MS-AFFF is mixed

with water at the correct ratio.

Non-aspirating type devices will

typically generate expansion

ratios of between 2-4 to 1.

Expansion ratios are dictated by

the type of discharge devices,

flow rate and discharge

pressure.

APPLICATIONS

FIREHOUSE Quality 3% AFFF C-

301 MS will provide quality

protection for a wide range of

hazardous areas such as:

· Crash Fire Rescue

· Storage tanks (non-polar

solvent type fuels only)

· Truck/Rail loading or unloading

facilities

· Processing/Storage facilities

· Docks/Marine tankers

· Flammable liquid containment

areas

· Mobile equipment

PERFORMANCE

To ensure the fire fighting

performance requirements

in today's environment,

Chemguard fire tests their 3%

AFFF C-301 MS to the fire

performance requirements of:

U.L. 162

UK. Ministry of Defense 42-24

U.S. Military Specification MIL-F-

24385F

 

  

Chemguard's 3% MIL SPEC

concentrate is on the

Government's QPL* and is the

highest quality AFFF available.  

  

  

MIL-F-24385F and UL 162

Listed, "Foam Liquid

Concentrates"  

  

  

PROPORTIONING Chemguard

3% AFFF C-301 MS is designed

for use with the following types

of proportioning equipment. ·

Fixed or portable in-line

eductors · In-line balanced

pressure and pump pressure

proportioning skid · Bladder tank

balanced pressure proportioning

systems · Around the pump

proportioners · Handline, air-

aspirating nozzles with fixed

eductor pickup tube 

  

  

TYPICAL PROPERTIES AT 77ºF

(25ºC) Appearance Clear Slightly

Yellow Specific Gravity 1.079 pH

7.5 Viscosity 4.0 

  

  

COMPATIBILITY Chemguard 3%

AFFF C-301 MS is compatible

with any other 3% AFFF

manufactured in accordance

with and conforming to all

performance requirements of

U.S. Mil-spec Mil- F-24385F or

any preceding version of this

specification. 

  

  

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

Chemguard 3% AFFF C-301 MS is

Biodegradable, low in toxicity

and can be treated in sewage

treatment plants. Please refer to

Chemguard Technical Bulletin

regarding foam products and the

environment. 

  

   STORAGE If kept in the

original manufacturer's supplied

  

container and stored within the

temperature range of 35ºF -

120ºF (2ºC - 49ºC) a shelf life of

between 20 - 25 years can be

expected. When stored in other

than the manufacturers supplied

container, please check with

Chemguard for storage

guidelines. 

  

MIL-F-24385F and UL 162

Listed, "Foam Liquid

Concentrates"  

  

 

   

 Price:    Please contact us for

current price on this item.  

 

3% MS AFFF

Part

# Size

Price

US $

CHI-C-

301

MSP

5 Gal.

Pail (19

L)

-

CHI-C-

301

MSD

55 Gal.

Drum

(208 L)

-

CHI-C-

301

MSBD

330 Gal.

Bulk

Drum

(1249 L)

-

 

 * All prices are FOB port of

origin.

 

This price was last updated on

9/24/2005 2:04:12 PM.

If price is more than 60 days old,

please, contact us for current pricing.

 

   Catalog Page Number: CHI-C301MS 

6% AFFF A Synthetic AFFF Foam 6% AFFF

  

  Part Number: CHI-C-603  

  

      

      

   Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF)

Synthetic Foams

FIREHOUSE Quality Aqueous Film

Forming Foam (AFFF) - These agents

are biodegradable and

environmentally friendly foams

which require very low energy input

to produce a very high quality foam

blanket that floats on the fuel

surface. The application of AFFF

provides the fastest knockdown on

hydrocarbon fuel fires (gasoline,

kerosene, diesel, etc.) and quickly

  

covers the fuel surface. AFFF may

also be used on Class A fires. All of

Chemguard's AFFF products are

intended for use at the proportioning

rate of of the product description, i.e.

1% = 1 part concentrate to 99 parts

water, 3% = 3 parts concentrate to

97 parts water, etc.

DESCRIPTION

FIREHOUSE Quality 6% AFFF is a

specially mulated,

synthetic, aqueous film forming foam

concentrate. A vapor suppressing

aqueous film is formed by the foam

solution draining from the expanded

foam blanket. It is intended for use

at a proportioning rate of 6% (6 parts

AFFF concentrate to 94 parts water)

on Class B

hydrocarbon type fuels such as

gasoline, kerosene, diesel, etc.

FIREHOUSE Quality 6% AFFF is not

intended for use on fuels which are

polar solvent/water miscible such as

alcohols, ketones, esters, etc.

FEATURES

· U. L. Listed, Foam Liquid

Concentrates

· Suitable for use with either fresh or

salt water

· Excellent wetting characteristics

when used in combating Class A fuel

fires

· Suitable for use with both air-

aspirating foam

and standard water fog nozzles

· Suitable for use with deluge or

closed head foam water sprinkler

systems

· If inadvertently frozen, thawing will

render

pro- duct completely serviceable

again

· Suitable for use with carbon steel,

fiberglass,

polyethylene or stainless steel.

Chemguard 6% AFFF is not

compatible with galvanized pipe or

fittings in an undiluted form.

· Suitable for use with dry chemical

extinguishing agents

U.L. recommended application rate

on

hydrocarbon type fuels is .10/gpm

ft².

PROPORTIONING

Chemguard 6% AFFF is designed for

use with the following types of

proportioning equipment.

Fixed or portable in-line eductor In-

line balanced pressure and pump

pressure proportioning skid

Bladder tank balanced pressure

proportioning system

Around the pump proportioner

Handline, air-aspirating nozzle with

fixed eductor pickup tube.

APPLICATIONS

Chemguard 6% AFFF will provide

quality protection

for a wide range of hazardous areas

such as:

· Crash Fire Rescue

· Storage tanks (non-polar solvent

type fuels only)

· Truck/Rail loading or unloading

facilities

· Processing/Storage facilities

· Docks/Marine tankers

· Flammable liquid containment

areas

· Mobile equipment

PERFORMANCE

To ensure the fire fighting

performance requirements

required in today's environment,

Chemguard fire tests their 6% AFFF

to the fire performance requirements

of:

U.L. 162

UK. Ministry of Defense 42-24

FOAM PROPERTIES

Aspirating type discharge devices

typically generate

expansion ratios between 6-10 to 1

when 6% AFFF is mixed with water at

the correct ratio. Non-aspirating type

devices will typically generate

expansion ratios of between 2-4 to 1.

Expansion ratios are dictated by the

type of discharge device, flow rate

and discharge

pressure.

DISCHARGE DEVICES

Chemguard 6% AFFF is suitable for

use with the following discharge

devices.

· Foam Chambers

· Air-aspirating and non air-aspirating

sprinkler

heads or spray nozzles

· Standard water fog nozzles for

handlines and onitors

· Air-aspirating foam nozzles

· Foam makers for use with either

Floating Roof storage tanks or

Dike/Bund protection systems

· High back pressure foam makers for

sub-

 

    Formulated for use at 6%

proportioning rate    

    Benefits: Lowest cost AFFF product   

    UL 162 Listed, "Foam Liquid

Concentrates"    

   

Also Available: PN C6LT- Freeze

protected to -20 F P/N SG6HE-

Standard grade, non listed  

  

 

   

 Price:    Please contact us for current

price on this item.  

 

6% AFFF

Part # Size Price

US $

CHI-C-

603P

5 Gal.

Pail (19

L)

-

CHI-C-

603D

55 Gal.

Drum

(208 L)

-

CHI-C-

603BD

330 Gal.

Bulk

Drum

(1249 L)

-

 

  * All prices are FOB port of origin.

 

This price was last updated on

9/24/2005 1:47:39 PM.

If price is more than 60 days old,

please, contact us for current pricing.

From

http://www.firehouseinternatio

nal.com