Euralarm has published new guidance covering the safe and environmentally responsible disposal of firefighting foam across the UK and Europe.
The Guideline on Disposal of Fire Fighting Foam Media provides recommendations for manufacturers, service companies, installers, maintenance providers, end users and waste management specialists.
PFAS foam requirements
The guidance addresses changing environmental requirements surrounding firefighting foams containing PFAS substances.
It covers fluorinated and fluorine free products, including AFFF, FFFP, F3, Class A and Class F foams, alongside wetting agents and water additives.
Euralarm outlines relevant European fire protection standards, waste legislation and restrictions affecting PFAS substances.
Handling firefighting foam
A central recommendation is that all firefighting foam should be considered potentially hazardous unless evidence demonstrates otherwise.
Euralarm states that uncontrolled discharge into land, drains or watercourses should be avoided, with waste handled through authorised hazardous waste routes.
For foams containing PFAS, the guidance identifies high temperature incineration at licensed facilities as the preferred disposal method and, in many circumstances, a mandatory requirement.
Foam servicing and maintenance
Recommendations also cover testing and maintenance, including containment of foam, appropriate storage and transport arrangements and recovery of waste from portable extinguishers and fixed suppression systems.
Organisations are encouraged to consider transitioning to fluorine free alternatives where appropriate, remove legacy PFAS foam stocks and introduce closed loop recovery systems to reduce the potential for environmental releases.
The guidance concludes that firefighting foam should be contained, considered potentially hazardous and disposed of through authorised processes in accordance with applicable standards and environmental legislation.
