Transitioning from Fluorinated Foams to Synthetic Fluorine-Free Foams (SFFF) - September 2025

All the talk in the firefighting foam industry today seems to revolve around the phasing out of all fluorinated foams due to the environmental and health issues associated with PFAS. PFAS stands for Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances. PFAS are the ingredient—typically 1-3 percent of the concentrate formula—in fluorinated foam that lowers the surface tension of the foam below 20 dynes/cm enabling film formation and reduced fuel pickup. PFAS are also tagged with minimal degradation over time causing concerns for their buildup in the environment, particularly water supplies, and in living organisms, including humans. Thus, because of this environmental and health concern, many states have outlawed training and testing of fluorinated foams, while a few states have outlawed their use altogether.

Fluorinated foams include Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF), Film-Forming Fluoroprotein Foam (FFFP), and fluoroprotein foam. Typically, PFAS are not present in high expansion or class A foam. Most firefighting foam producers in the United States no longer manufacture (or test) foam containing PFAS. Replacement nonfluorinated formulations are available. These formulations are referred to by the National Fire Protection Association Standard on Low-, Medium- and High Expansion Foam (NFPA 11, 2024 Edition) as Synthetic Fluorine-Free Foams (SFFF).

If you are still using fluorinated foam, consider the following:

1. Check with the local authority-having-jurisdiction (AHJ) to ensure the use of fluorinated foam in a fire situation is still allowed.
2. Consider methods to test proportioning without discharging the fluorinated foams; such as surrogate fluids or the water-equivalency method.
3. Make continency plans should you have a fire and need to refill your system. Fluorinated foam replacement may not be available, and you may need to switch to an SFFF. Depending on the hazard, an SFFF may require system changes.
   1. A larger storage tank as the application density may be higher.
   2. Many SFFFs require application at a higher expansion which may require a different discharge device.
   3. Some SFFFs concentrates have a high viscosity requiring a specific proportioner.

NFPA 25 recommends that field foam be sampled and sent to a laboratory for testing “at least annually.” This applies to both fluorinated and nonfluorinated foam. Though most of the manufacturers no longer test fluorinated foam, Dyne Fire Protection Labs provides testing for all types of firefighting foam. Dyne utilizes a XXXXX gallon tank to collect all the laboratory wastewater generated during testing. The contents of this tank along with the unused sample and sample jar are properly disposed of by approved hazardous waste incineration.

So, if you have fluorinated foam and it is due for annual testing, send it to us as Dyne Fire Protection Labs. We provide free, postage-paid kits—in order that taking, and sending a foam sample to our laboratory, is hassle-free. Additionally, we will test your sample and deliver accurate and precise results within one-week of receipt. To order a kit, give us a call at (800) 632-2304 or send an email to dyne.lab@nfpaglobal.com.