ARFF: Airports transition to environmentally friendly fire fighting

by AviationIndustry SectorsProjects

In case of fire emergency at airport, every second counts. Aircraft Rescue Fire Firefighters (ARFF) have to be effective in a short time to save people lives in a burning aircraft. The firefighting foam must be quickly efficient.

The move from AFFF to FFF at airports

The world of firefighting is quickly moving toward fluorine-free foam products, getting away from PFAS-containing products (AFFF and AR-AFFF foams). The industry challenge was to provide efficient fluorine-free foams with same performance that fluorinated products.

Performing fluorine-free foams (FFF) that meet ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) specification are available in the aviation market. Some international airports are changing or have already changed for fluorine-free foam onboard fire trucks or in aircraft hangar fire safety systems.

New fluorine-free foam dedicated to aircraft fires ECOPOL A+

Thanks to its long experience in environmentally friendly foams and aircraft fire safety, BIOEX launched ECOPOL A+ fluorine-free foam: an high-performance FFF dedicated to aircraft fire extinguishment.

This fluorine-free foam quickly extinguishes a wide range of hydrocarbon fuels fires faced at airports, such as kerosene, jet A1, gasoline and heptane. ECOPOL A+ meets International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) certification and European Standard EN1568 Part 3 v2018 certification.

ECOPOL A+ forms a stable and thick foam blanket which flows rapidly above burning fuel to seals vapours and cut off oxygen supply, to quickly extinguish fire and prevent from reignition. ECOPOL A+ is a viable alternative to AFFF foams and offers equal or better performance than traditional AFFF foams.

The foam adheres to vertical surfaces to cool aircraft parts such as fuselage or body, providing long thermal insulation and allowing passenger evacuation. Formulated without PFAS-components, this fluorine-free foam is an environmentally friendly solution for airports fire protection. ECOPOL A+ meets environmental concerns balanced with high fire safety performances. ECOPOL A+ is fully biodegradable, fluorine-free and silicone-free.

ECOPOL A+ foam applications

ECOPOL A+ can be used in low or medium expansion depending on the fire scenario (landing gear, engine, fuel line fires…). Contained within ARFF vehicle, the foam concentrate can be applied on direct application by the airport fire truck monitor. For fires that cannot be reach by the aircraft fire vehicle, it can be put out with fixed or mobile foam proportioning and foam discharge devices. The foam concentrate is available in 3% and 6% version. Fire fighters can use it with fresh, brackish and sea water. BIOEX aviation foam concentrates are tested and approved by many international airports such as Paris airports, Geneve airport and Ottawa airport.

G3 Systems Fire Protection Services conclude operations at Mazar-e-Sharif Air Base

by AviationIndustry SectorsMiddle East - Breaking News

On the 6th June 2021 at 07:30 (AFG Time), G3 Systems handed over its Fire Protection Service (FPS) function to DEU (German Armed Forces) Air Operations Group firefighters, marking the conclusion of a continuous working relationship at the Mazar e Sharif (MeS) airbase which began on 21st November 2014.

During the last 6 and a half years, G3 Systems Limited, working through the NATO Supply & Procurement Agency (NSPA), has successfully provided the DEU at MeS with continuous aviation and structural fire cover, ensuring all airfield emergency responses to ICAO CAT 9 requirements, along with structural firefighting response to all elements of the airbase infrastructure and personnel.

This essential emergency service provision has been achieved with a total of 59 staff delivering ARFF, Structural, Fire Safety and Emergency Vehicle Technician support to fulfil 24-hour coverage for the changing mission requirements, in this austere and often challenging environment.

G3 Systems has also trained 14 Afghanistan Civil Aviation Authority (ACAA) firefighters during an 18 month ‘on the job’ training contract, which resulted in the airport gaining ICAO certified and trained staff, available to provide fire cover for the civilian side of the Mazar e Sharif International Airport. This training comprised Basic Firefighting skills, specialised aircraft firefighting, incident command and management, technical rescue skills, working at height and driver training.

Commenting on the handover, Chief Fire Officer Derek Tomlinson said “I would like to thank everyone who has worked, assisted and been a part of the incredible journey over the G3 Systems MeS FPS contract. I would also like to dedicate this final message to the memory of our colleague Firefighter Myank Mishra, who very sadly lost his life to COVID-19 in India during the demobilization of this contract”.

G3 Systems has also provided the FPS to the airbases in Herat and Kandahar and continues to support NATO and the ACAA in Afghanistan with FPS at Hamid Kharzai International Airport in Kabul.

Belfast City Airport chooses Dräger’s new PSS AirBoss SCBA to safeguard passengers and staff

by AviationBreathing ApparatusIndustry SectorsProducts

The Emergency Fire and Rescue team at George Best Belfast City Airport has become the first in the UK to opt for Dräger’s newly-launched AirBoss self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), to provide its firefighters and emergency services teams with the most advanced fire safety protection.

The 34-strong emergency service crew at Belfast City Airport is required by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to deploy and attend any fire safety incident in the airport or on the runway within three minutes of being alerted.

Although a previous user of Dräger’s equipment, the decision to choose AirBoss followed a rigorous review of SCBA systems from different providers and is part of a multi-million pound investment in all aspects of the Airport’s fire safety response. Seamus MacMahon, Chief Fire Officer and Head of Emergency Planning, says he is assured knowing Dräger is the global industry leader, and that they have chosen the most advanced equipment possible:

“By choosing Dräger, we are ensuring the longevity of our investment which is key for continuity. With a strong footprint in Northern Ireland, Dräger’s ability to support its customers with dedicated resource in training, aftercare, spares, service, and maintenance is invaluable and second to none.”

Dräger’s next-generation AirBoss includes a carrying system with pneumatics, monitoring systems, masks and communication technology and numerous accessories such as the ultra-lightweight Type 4 Nano compressed air breathing cylinders and lung demand valves. State-of-the-art ergonomics provide improved wearer comfort and mobility, complemented by a pivoting waist belt and three-step height adjustments.  

Belfast City Airport has opted for the AirBoss Connect as this model provides the most advanced situational awareness.

“We will benefit from Airboss Connect’s digital displays, and the new ‘Buddy Light’ feature – an innovative element allowing immediate and highly-visible signalling amongst our firefighters to alert them on aspects such as cylinder pressures and the physical condition of their colleagues.

“The advanced modular design of AirBoss means we can build in additional functionality as and when required to ensure we stay at the forefront of fire and rescue response capabilities.”

Seamus says that AirBoss’s easily adjustable backplate is a significant benefit: “Emergency Service teams have changed considerably during my career – minimum height requirements, for example, are a thing of the past – and so systems need to be easily borne by different physiques, both male and female.

“Overall, the whole team agreed that the system is very appealing, especially its lightness and ‘snag-proof’ design. Our overriding commitment is to the wellbeing and safety of passengers and staff, it is what underpins every decision in the business and has been the driving force behind this latest investment,” he concludes.

Liz Millward, Marketing Manager Emergency and Rescue Services at Draeger Safety UK, says it is fantastic that AirBoss has been ordered so soon after launch: “It is testament to the forward thinking nature of Belfast City Airport team – and indeed the long-standing relationship and trust that they have in our brand,” she says.

Fraport Aviation Academy teams up with STHAMER

by AviationIndustry SectorsProjects

Fraport Aviation Academy has announced a new partnership with STHAMER, one of the leading researchers, developers and producers of foam fire extinguishing compounds, as it prepares for stricter European legislative requirements, develops safer aviation foam training, and tries to decrease the overall impact of fire intervention on the environment and health of firefighters.

Growing environmental awareness and the related requirements are becoming increasingly challenging for the field of firefighting, but they also promote the development of environmentally sound technologies and products.

This particularly affects firefighting with foam agents; there is a push to replace the currently most-used foam agent worldwide, AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam), with Fluorine-Free Foam, which has been developed to avoid issues with recent European regulations on fluorine-containing chemicals. 

AFFF is known for its high performance, which is based on fluoro-organic compounds such as fluorosurfactants and fluoropolymers. As these chemicals make foam bubbles fuel repellent, AFFF has proven to be very efficient at extinguishing chemical and petrochemical fires.

However, apart from its lack of biodegradability, it poses hazards to health and the environment, and so its use is going to become more and more limited by both legal restrictions and the fear of liability issues following AFFF-use.

Fluorine-Free Foam agents have been known for a long time, and under the pressure on AFFF have improved significantly and are now able to yield a fire performance similar to AFFF if properly applied. 

Fraport Aviation Academy and STHAMER have wealth of experience

Fraport Aviation Academy provides training for airport firefighters based on several European, non-European and national standards and regulations, which all require safe and realistic training with all the available extinguishing agents. 

“Although our training field is well-equipped for training with AFFF, we have decided to use Fluorine-Free Foam as the safer alternative. It not only preserves the environment and the health of the training participants, but prepares them for the future,” said Thomas Uihlein, Director of Aviation Academy.

The new generation of foams require the development of new extinguishing/application methods and tactics to maximise their extinguishing capabilities, which can only be carried out through testing. The partners will work together to develop these tactics, increase awareness of raising environmental demands, and create better understanding of the new generation of Fluorine-Free Foams.

 
Fraport Aviation Academy and STHAMER both have a long tradition and huge experience in their respective fields. Outstanding theoretical knowledge and practical experience set the foundation for the development of new products, procedures and guidelines. The partners are committed to increasing firefighters’ knowledge of Fluorine-Free Foam and helping them understand how to best apply this new foam type in order to maximize results.

The companies already began to pursue this goal last week, when they prepared the first lecture and presentation for representatives of the Slovene firefighting community. At the same time, they have also begun to develop new training courses for aviation firefighters in order to fill the identified knowledge gap and equip firefighters with better skills for the future.