Compressed air foam system

Typical components include a water source, a centrifugal pump, foam concentrate tanks, a direct-injection foam proportioning system on the discharge side of the pump, a mixing chamber or device, a rotary air compressor, and control systems to ensure the correct mixes of concentrate, water, and air.

The CAFS solution adheres to ceilings and walls, more readily aiding in rapid reduction in heat.

Also, the opaque surfaces of the foam, as it adheres to walls and ceilings, shield the fuel source from radiant energy.

It has later been proven that CAFS is no more effective at extinguishing fires than regular water and may actually be detrimental to interior attacks.

By the mid-1980s, research by the United States Bureau of Land Management in co-operation with Mark Cummins, led to modern design features of rotary air compressors, centrifugal pumps, and direct-injection foam-proportioning systems (Fornell, 1991; IFSTA, 1966).

CAFS received national attention in 1988 during the Yellowstone Park wildfires when the four-story Old Faithful Inn was successfully protected by blanketing it with compressed air foam (Darley, 1994).

The purpose was to spread the word about CAFS and display this relatively new technology to United States and Canadian firefighting services.

Many years earlier Darley Co. teamed up with Cummins on the WEPS (water expansion pumping system) demonstration vehicle.

This ratio also allows for a higher relative foam solution (liquid) flow rate to help maintain the highest levels of firefighter safety possible.

While Colletti's claims for flows are not agreed upon by many industry experts, as exhibited at the CAFS symposium held in Rosenberg, Texas in February 2007.

Some fire district engines have experienced that CAFS-filled hoses have a higher incidence of clogging and decrease in pressure.