NOFOAM KIT - AIRCRAFT RESCUE FIRE FIGHTING (ARFF) VEHICLE
 |
|
||||||||||||
| Overview: | A NoFoam kit has been developed and
demonstrated that replaces Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) with a benign,
biodegradable dye/water mixture that eliminates the need to release AFFF
for operational maintenance and routine checks. The use of the kit
produces a waste stream that can be assimilated by natural systems or can
be treated easily at treatment plants, thus producing a 100% reduction in
the problematic AFFF wastewater stream. (Typically, the amount of
AFFF wastewater generated ranges from 500 to 900 gallons per vehicle per
test.)
The Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicle is currently a main line of defense at shore-base airfields facilities. These vehicles must be periodically tested, used for training, and maintained to provide for appropriate operational readiness. The vehicles use an AFFF for fire suppression. Despite its wide use and effectiveness for firefighting, AFFF poses an environmental risk because of its resistance to biodegradation, its toxicity, and its high Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). In addition, AFFF has been prohibited for discharge to the ground and treatment plants at many facilities due to its non-biodegradable nature, its extreme foaming capacity, and its tendency to upset biological treatment systems. The combination of these issues has created a conflict of needs with regard to meeting operational requirements in the protection of life and property and the stewardship of the environment. The NoFoam Kit has been demonstrated as a retrofit to the existing ARFF vehicles models CF4000L (Amertek) and P-19 (Oshkosh). In the cab of the vehicle, the fire fighter simply pushes and holds a push-button to activate the kit. Then the fire fighter continues through the normal firefighting discharge procedure. A flow sensor installed in the kit piping sends electrical signals to the meter in the cab. The firefighter simply reads and quickly determines the vehicle’s AFFF delivery system performance. By releasing the push-button the kit is deactivated and the vehicle is in the ready, firefighing mission mode. |
| Compliance Benefit: | The use of a NoFoam Kit can
help facilities meet material pretreatment standards for discharges of
wastewater into a POTW (40 CFR 403). In addition, this treatment
process may help facilities meet the requirements of waste reduction under
RCRA, 40 CFR 262, Appendix.
Under US Naval Fire Protection Program (NAVFAC Guideline P-1021) and NFPA requirements, tests and training on the vehicles and structural pumpers are mandated quarterly and annually. In some cases, based on local airfield requirements, fire chiefs often conduct daily, weekly, or monthly AFFF system tests in addition to the mandated requirements. The use of the NoFoam Kit provides an opportunity to meet or exceed these mandates without environmental consequence. The compliance benefits listed here are only meant to be used as a general guideline and are not meant to be strictly interpreted. Actual compliance benefits will vary depending on the factors involved, e.g. the amount of workload involved. |
| Materials Compatibility: | No materials compatibility issues were identified. |
| Safety and Health: | No safety and health issues
were identified. As always, personnel should consult their local
Industrial health specialist, or local health and safety personnel, and
the appropriate MSDS prior to handling or implementing any new chemical
mixture or process.
|
| Benefits: | The following benefits are possible
with this system:
|
| Disadvantages: |
|
| Economic Analysis: | The NFESC NoFoam Kit is
currently available for ARFF vehicle models CF4000L (Amertek) and P-19
(Oshkosh). The estimated capital cost is $7,500. The estimated pay
back period is less than two weeks, based on daily foam distribution
system checks. For the purposes of this analysis, one check consists
of eight routine, 5-second system tests (i.e., 5-second through each
nozzles eight times). The minimum payback period is estimated at 6
months based on minimal testing frequencies.
Additional cost avoidance savings can be realized by not using AFFF concentrate in the tests. A 30-second test consumes approximately 10-20 gallons of AFFF concentrate; thus, a savings of $70 to $140 per test can be achieved. Other non-tangible or not readily quantifiable savings include those realized by elimination of costs associated with hazardous waste disposal, treatment of the wastewater stream and/or downtime of treatment plants due to upsets. |
| Approving Authority: | Approval is controlled locally
and should be implemented only after engineering approval has been
granted. Major claimant approval is not required.
|
| NSN/MSDS: |
|
| Points of Contact: | Navy: Mr Rance Kudo (Technical) Technical POC Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center 1100 23rd Avenue Code 421 Port Hueneme, CA 93043-4370 Phone: (805) 982-4976 FAX: (805) 982-4832 DSN: 551-4976 Email: kudort@nfesclnavy.mil Mr. Bob Frederickson (Implementation) Donald Martin, Station Captain Dr. Richard Lee |
| Vendors: | Mr. Rance Kuto Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center Code 421 1100 23rd Avenue Port Hueneme, CA 93043-4370 Phone: (805) 982-4976 DSN: 551-4976 FAX: (805) 982-4832 Email: kudort@nfesc.navy.mil
|
| Sources: | "NoFoam Kit -
Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) Vehicle" data sheet, dated
4/00 Joint Services Pollution Prevention Technical Library, P2 Handbook. 1996 NELP Initiative, NAVSTA Mayport and NS Norfolk, P2 Equipment Handbook. 1997 NLEP Initiative, NAS Oceana, P2 Equipment Handbook. |
[Back]