Introduction

As industries across Canada increasingly prioritise environmental responsibility and regulatory compliance, fire protection practices are under the microscope—particularly in sectors using aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). The focus now is on replacing PFAS-based fire foams with fluorine-free alternatives, without compromising the safety and performance required in high-risk fire scenarios.

Rotaflow, a trusted name in Canadian fire protection and life safety systems, is at the forefront of this shift. With end-to-end services that include AFFF replacement, fire foam testing, and PFAS-free suppression system upgrades, Rotaflow helps critical infrastructure, aviation, petrochemical, and industrial clients navigate this complex transition effectively.

Lets dig out the differences between PFAS and fluorine-free foams, outlines evolving fire foam testing requirements, and examines how to ensure accurate performance verification for fire safety compliance.

What are PFAS, and why are they being replaced?

People utilise per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) because they don’t break down in oil, water, or heat. PFAS are used in AFFF and AR-AFFF formulations for fire safety because they quickly put out flammable liquid flames by making a film that stops vapours from escaping.

PFAS, on the other hand, are known as “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down easily in the environment and can build up in soil, water, and living things. Several studies have found that being around PFAS can be bad for your health, including cancer, liver damage, thyroid problems, and problems with the immune system.

Because of these worries, governments all around the world, including Canada, are putting rules and bans in place to stop the use of PFAS-based firefighting foams. For example, Alberta has already put stronger rules in place that are in line with federal initiatives to get rid of chemicals that are bad for the environment from industrial use.

Fluorine-Free Fire Foams (F3)

To address the PFAS problem, manufacturers have developed fluorine-free foams, often referred to as F3 foams or synthetic fluorine-free foams (SFFF). These formulations eliminate PFAS compounds entirely, using alternative surfactants like hydrocarbon or silicon-based agents to deliver comparable firefighting performance.

Some of the key advantages of F3 foams include:

  • Environmental compliance: No PFAS, biodegradable formulations

  • Reduced toxicity: Safer for firefighters, first responders, and ecosystems

  • No bioaccumulation: Do not persist in the environment

  • Regulatory alignment: Meet current and upcoming restrictions globally

Industries such as aviation, defence, oil and gas, and marine transport are now shifting toward F3 foams as a safer, sustainable choice. But with this shift comes the challenge of ensuring these foams perform as effectively as their PFAS-based counterparts.

PFAS vs. Fluorine-Free

Fluorine-free (F3) foams are more environmentally friendly, but depending on the type of fire risk, they might not perform as well in actual fires. For this reason, it is crucial to properly test fire foam.

These four crucial areas are significantly impacted by testing:

1. The foam’s ability to extinguish fires

Foams containing PFAS, particularly AFFF, have long been praised for their ability to extinguish flames and prevent the spread of flammable gases. However, fluorine-free foams typically require a bit more assistance to achieve the same result. This could entail more agitation, longer spray times, or higher application rates.

When hydrocarbons or polar solvents like ethanol or jet fuel are added, F3 foams don’t always perform as quickly as international test standards like UL 162, EN 1568, and ICAO Level B indicate they should.

2. The foam’s resistance to burn-back

Regular PFAS foams have the advantage of preventing a fire from starting again after it has been extinguished. Despite their advancements, F3 foams may still not be able to withstand burn-back, particularly in hot conditions or when fuel is being moved. Testing is much more crucial in high-risk environments.

3. The Foam’s Interaction with Fuel 

PFAS-based foams frequently combine with fuel to create a durable, solid barrier that extinguishes fires. Typically, fluorine-free foams do not chemically bond to the fuel; rather, they sit on top of it. As a result, they may perform less effectively in certain kinds of flames or even in training exercises that simulate fuel movement.

4. Is the Foam Compatible with the Current Equipment?

The firefighting system may need to be modified because F3 foams behave differently due to their thickness and density. Your foam proportioners, pumps, nozzles, and storage tanks that were designed for PFAS foams may not function properly if you don’t recalibrate or upgrade them.

When switching to a fluorine-free system, compatibility must be carefully considered because simply replacing the foam is insufficient.

Testing rules in Canada and other places

By 2025, the Canadian government and provincial governments will have standards that are in line with new environmental rules and fire codes. Owners of systems must now show that the fluorine-free fire suppression systems work just as well as the AFFF systems they are replacing.

Requirements for Testing Include:

  • UL/ULC certification for foam concentrates
  • Works with the discharge hardware that is already there
  • Following the rules set by NFPA 11 and NFPA 25
  • Foam proportioning is accurate to within ±30%
  • Field discharge testing to mimic real-life hazardous situations
  • Testing for total fluorine content to make sure PFAS-free compliance
  • GreenScreen Certified™ status (best for places that are sensitive to the environment)

Also, in regulated fields like the military, aviation (ICAO standards), or offshore energy, foam replacement usually needs to be checked by a third party before it can be approved.

The significance of accuracy testing

Without evidence of its effectiveness, installing a foam system devoid of fluorine could result in a disastrous failure in the event of a live fire. Testing needs to consider:

  • Various fuels, including crude oil, ethanol, diesel, and Jet A
  • The weather (wind, humidity, and temperature)
  • Methods for applying foam (hand-line, monitor, and sprinkler)
  • Storage and deterioration of agents over time

Since F3 foams degrade more quickly than PFAS foams, annual testing is required to ensure they continue to function. Even certified foams may not work as intended without adequate supervision due to storage issues, incorrect mixing, or a mismatch between the foam and the nozzle.

Rotaflow’s Role in Transition and Fire Foam Testing

Rotaflow provides a comprehensive solution for modernising PFAS-free fire suppression systems. This comprises:

1. System Design and Evaluation:

Rotaflow engineers examine the existing fire suppression system and recommend modifications, such as resizing the pump, replacing the nozzle, or recalibrating the proportioner, that are necessary to create space for F3 foam systems.

2. Obtaining and installing the product

Rotaflow collaborates with UL-listed foam producers who don’t use fluorine. They ensure that every product they install complies with international fire safety standards and Canadian building codes.

3. Performance testing and certification

Systems undergo flow verification, foam sample analysis, and full-scale discharge tests after installation to ensure they function as intended.

4. Instruction and Composition

Rotaflow provides firefighting and maintenance crews with all the documentation they require for: Specifications for foam

  • Test results
  • How to dispose of items in an eco-friendly manner
  • Records of rule compliance

5. Examinations and assessments each year

To ensure the system operates effectively for a long time, Rotaflow provides planned fire foam testing and routine system audits that adhere to NFPA 25 and provincial standards.

 

Conclusion

The goal of switching from PFAS to fluorine-free fire foams is not just to follow environmental rules, but also to make sure that safety, performance, and readiness are never put at risk. F3 foams are clearly better for the environment, but their effectiveness depends only on how well the system is designed, how well the proportions are set, and how well the tests are done.

Rotaflow has the technical know-how, approved testing methods, and retrofit solutions needed to help a smooth transition from AFFF to PFAS-free systems in a wide range of industries.

Rotaflow’s team of qualified professionals makes sure your system is reliable and compliant when it matters most, whether you run a marine platform, an airport, or an industrial facility.

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