C.A.F.S. Fire / Decontamination Unit Features

• 1500 gpm Hale centrifugal fire pump
• 900 gallons temperature controlled potable water
• 125 gallons AFFF ATC 3x3 foam concentrate
• Foam Pro 3020 D foam proportioner
• 250 SCFM BOSS air compressor
• 4 wheel drive
• "Pump & Roll" capability
• 12,000 lb Milemarker hydraulic winch
• Remote controlled top mount turret
• 2 - 2 1/2" ground monitors
• Power foam fill
• 2 - 30lb "Purple K" dry chemical fire extinguishers
• 3 man decontamination bay
• 100% gray water recovery
• Patient recovery bunk
• 2 - highly qualified fire fighters
• 2 - 4500 psi fire service SCBAs (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus)
• Complete inventory of fire fighting equipment
• Complete inventory of corrosive resistant PPE

*All B.O.S.S. Combination and Decontamination units meet ANSI specifications.

What is C.A.F.S.?

CAFS is a foam system that has the added ability to inject compressed air into a foam solution generating a product that is referred to as compressed air foam. This type of foam has a tighter, denser, more uniform and stable bubble structure than standard foam solutions. This bubble structure helps the foam adhere to vertical and overhead surfaces, and penetrate fires deeper before the bubbles are broken down allowing the latent water to be much more effective.

How it Works

• Compressed Air Foam is so effective because it truly attacks all sides of the fire tetrahedron smothering the fire with a “uniform foam blanket” depleting oxygen and preventing it from combining with the fuel.
• Cools the fire by removing its energy through evaporation of the water then increases in temperature as it absorbs the heat of the fire turning to steam.
• Diminishes heat by insulating using the trapped air within the bubbles and reflecting radiant heat preventing excess heat from adding to the fire.
• Air trapped in the bubbles act as insulating material absorbing heat and preventing it from igniting adjacent fuels. This is a gradual process where the foam acts as a reservoir, releasing the water at a rate that allows the fuel to absorb it instead of running off.
• Prevents additional fuel from reacting with the fire by providing a barrier.

CAFS has been shown to “disrupt” the chemical reaction required for the fire to continue.

Advantages of CAFS

• Less water usage
• Less foam usage
• Less cleanup
• Less ground disturbance
• Less environmental impact
• Greatly reduces time, effort, and resources
• ULTIMATELY-Less Cost
• Sticks to vertical and overhead surfaces
• Hoses are much lighter and float making them easier to handle and therefore require less effort and manpower
• Can be pumped over a much longer distance and greater height at a given pressure
• For use with ALL types of foam
• The most effective method for controlling and extinguishing a fire