Frequently Asked Questions

F-500 EA is UL listed for use on Class A and Class B fires, although F-500 EA has been used successfully on multiple Class D fires, where other agents have failed. Although not generally used or recommended on Class C fires, F-500 EA has been thoroughly tested on high-voltage lithium-ion battery fires and transformer fires.

Most of the lithium-ion battery fire testing was conducted in Germany by Bosch Group, DEKRA Automobile GmbH, Daimler AG and Deutsche ACCUmotive GmbH & Co. KG and endorsed by the State Fire School Baden-Wurttemberg. They concluded that F-500 EA was the best agent available to extinguish high-voltage battery car fires due to its ability to cool and extinguish the batteries, as well as modern automobile plastic and magnesium components and fuels.

F-500 EA is commonly used at ½ – 1% on Class A fires, and 3% on polar and nonpolar Class B fires, Class D fires and some Class C fires, such as high-voltage hybrid and electric car batteries and energized transformers (consult F-500 EA SOG’s before fighting transformer fires).

Although F-500 EA can quickly extinguish a Class B fire, this is not to be confused with “fuel spill neutralization.” To encapsulate an entire hydrocarbon fuel spill, you need to know how much fuel has been spilt. The ratio is 1 part F-500 EA; 8 parts fuel and 40 parts of water. A typical fuel spill on a road of 8 gallons would require one gallon of F-500 EA and 40 gallons of water to render the spill harmless; nonflammable and nonignitable. It can be safely vacuumed or left to evaporate, depending on local regulations.

Although F-500 EA shares some surface tension reduction properties of a wetting agent, F-500 EA is neither a wetting agent nor a foam. F-500 is an “Encapsulator Agent.”

A foaming agent creates a foam blanket that smothers a fire, depriving the fire of oxygen. This is one element of the fire tetrahedron. F-500 EA extinguishes a fire by eliminating three legs of the fire tetrahedron. Although F-500 EA does not smother a fire, it does rapidly cool the fire – remove the heat; remove the fire. F-500 EA also encapsulates the fuel, rendering it nonflammable and nonignitable.

Finally, F-500 EA inhibits the free radical chain reaction, which is a chemical reaction resulting from the energy created by the fire. These flammable off-gases are also encapsulated. Eliminating any one element of the fire tetrahedron can extinguish a fire – F-500 EA eliminates three elements.

The shelf life of F-500 EA is at least 15 years, assuming the container has not been opened. Testing is ongoing.

Nontoxic and Non-Skin Sensitizing
F-500 was found to be non-sensitizing when tested in accordance with OECD-406.

Nonhazardous
F-500 EA contains no ingredients reportable under Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) Title III, Section 313 of 40 CFR-372 or the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) as of July 1, 1995. F-500 EA is discarded as non-hazardous waste under RCRA CFR261.

Fully Biodegradable
Testing shows that F-500 EA is 100% fully biodegradable. As with any substance, care should be taken to prevent uncontrolled discharge from entering groundwater, surface water or storm drains. With advance notice, F-500 EA can be treated by local biological wastewater treatment plants.

The lower the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), the lower the demand for oxygen and the better for the aquatic ecosystem. F-500’s BOD is 87% less and COD is 80% less than that of several AR-AFFF products.

EPA NCP Product Schedule Listed
F-500 EA is listed on the National Contingency Plan Product Schedule of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a surface washing agent.

F-500 EA has been sold globally since 1997 and has gained worldwide recognition as a unique firefighting and spill control tool.

We feel F-500 EA is a more versatile product. The same F-500 EA can be used on Class A, Class B polar, Class B nonpolar, Class C (transformers and high-voltage car fires) and Class D fires. Three different foams are required for Class A, Class B polar and Class B nonpolar. Additional products are generally used on Class C and D. And then there’s three-dimensional fires.

NFPA 11 specifically states “Foam is not suitable for three-dimensional flowing liquid fuel fires or for gas fires.” Because the foam blanket traps in the heat, foam is very poor at cooling. Also, much more agent and water is required for foam over F-500 EA. You can expect fewer callbacks for rekindles because F-500 EA reduces the temperature below autoignition temperatures. Also, F-500 EA doesn’t create the scalding steam associated with fire extinguishment; instead, F-500 EA results in a warm vapour at about 140°F. That alone can mean fewer workman’s comp claims.

As F-500 EA encapsulates the free radicals, there is less toxic smoke and improved visibility. Finally, for hydrocarbon spills, F-500 EA encapsulates the fuel, making it safe, whereas foam needs to be re-applied to prevent the blanket from breaking down.

Most of the lithium-ion battery fire testing was conducted in Germany by Bosch Group, DEKRA Automobile GmbH, Daimler AG and Deutsche ACCUmotive GmbH & Co. KG and endorsed by the State Fire School Baden-Wurttemberg.

They concluded F-500 EA was the best agent available to extinguish high-voltage battery car fires due to its ability to cool and extinguish the batteries and modern automobile plastic and magnesium components and fuels.

The fuel remains in place. The F-500 EA water droplets are attracted to the hydrocarbon molecules and surround them, forming micelles or ”chemical cocoons.” Although the fuel still exists and can be physically separated from the F-500 EA, it is nonflammable and non-ignitable and will generally remain that way until it evaporates.

We have service centres in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, and can supply F-500 EA nationally. Contact us directly for a quote and further details.