Aer-O-Water® 3EM is a superior quality aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) which is used at 3% concentration to extinguish fires in hydrocarbon fuels. It has been tested and qualified to meet the stringent requirements of U.S. Military Specification MIL-F-24385F. Aer-O-Water 3EM is suitable for use with most types of proportioning equipment and discharge devices.
AFFF foam concentrates are designed for rapid fire knockdown by producing a thin aqueous film which spreads across the surface of the fuel, separating the fuel from oxygen. This is accomplished by allowing the foam solution to quickly drain from the foam bubble which in turn, affects long term seal ability and burn back resistance. The aqueous film is produced by the fluorocarbon surfactant reducing the surface tension of the foam solution to a point where the solution can be supported by the surface tension of the fuel. The effectiveness of the aqueous film is directly influenced by the surface tension of the fuel. The aqueous film tends to be more effective on fuels with higher surface tension such as diesel and jet fuels, and less effective on fuels with lower surface tension such as hexane and gasoline. In general, AFFF foam concentrates may be used with non-aspirating nozzles and sprinklers, however, for best foam expansion and 25% drainage time, all foam concentrates should be used with aspirating nozzles and foam making discharge devices.