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CAFS...to use or not to use...that's the question
I want to see what everyone thinks about the use of CAFS. it seems there are alot of departments out there that like to use CAFS on every fire no matter what. I personally think CAFS is a great "TOOL" that should be used in certain situations but not every fire. I guess I'm still old school and believe in the tried and true steam conversion. What are your thoughts? P.S. everyone stay safe out there.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Michael Meadows on
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We use CAFS mainly for car fires. We use water for structure fires unless it's a situation where the CAFS would be beneficial. The foam is too costly to use every time. TCSS.
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Permalink Reply by Reg Mathis on
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A wonderful luxury and a fantastic tool. Use it every chance you get!!
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Permalink Reply by Dale Scribner on
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Thanks for the answers....when you use CAFS what kind of nozzle do you like to use. do you get the same effect from a fog nozzle as apposed to a smooth bore?
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Permalink Reply by Joe Stoltz on
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Excellent question. I have recently heard that the use of Class A foam for fire suppression activities impairs fire investigation procedures.
Specifically, accelerant detection tests cannot be run after foam is used, because of the possibility of a false positive reading.
Anyone out there who can chime in on this?
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Permalink Reply by Trainer on
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I think Reg says it best, it's a luxury and a fantastic tool, I've seen it work and Joe I can believe it would. CAFS is an expensive system to buy and to operate, if you can bill for it's use go for it. We installed the old stand by system in our new truck with the only addition of a 20gal foam tank, we didn't go CAFS for the simply reason of no ARFFF.
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Permalink Reply by Matthew Powers on
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I have grown up with CAFS. It is a great system but to unilaterally say use it every time? I think this mindset could get you in trouble. Room and contents fires, house fires, businesses without large open rooms, it works great on. If you are proficient with it, it can save a lot of time. If you have a barn fire, or I would imagine an auditorium or such large rooms, and they are fully involved, foam will not stand its own to a water stream.
Making the red stuff go away is quick with CAFS, but it makes for a lot of overhaul. The largest advantage I see is that you can start shutting down the fire by coating it with foam. Advances can be made rapidly, but you will have to go back. You can starve the oxygen, but if you do not cool the heat, the chance for rekindling is very high.
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