AR-AFFF stands for Alcohol-Resistant Aqueous Film Forming Foam. It is a specialized type of firefighting foam designed to combat fires involving flammable liquids that are water-miscible but also have a certain percentage of alcohol content, such as ethanol or methanol. These types of fires can be particularly challenging to suppress using traditional AFFF or water-based methods, as the alcohol content can dilute the foam and make it less effective.

 

The key feature of AR-AFFF is its ability to form a stable and effective foam blanket on the surface of alcohol-based fuel fires. This is achieved by incorporating alcohol-resistant additives into the foam concentrate. These additives create a protective barrier that prevents the alcohol from breaking down the foam's blanket structure, allowing it to maintain its fire suppression properties even in the presence of alcohol. AR-AFFF foam works similarly to regular AFFF in that it spreads across the fuel's surface, creating a barrier that separates the fire from oxygen and cools down the flames. The foam's film-forming properties help to suffocate the fire, suppress its heat, and prevent re-ignition.

 

One of the important applications of AR-AFFF is in scenarios involving ethanol-blended gasoline, which has become increasingly common in the fuel industry. Ethanol is often added to gasoline to meet environmental regulations and reduce air pollution, but it can also pose unique firefighting challenges due to its alcohol content. AR-AFFF is specifically formulated to address these challenges and provide effective fire suppression for these types of fuel fires.