What type of foam should be used for alcohol-based fires?

Alcohol-resistant foam is specifically formulated to combat fires involving polar solvents, such as alcohols. These types of flammable liquids are unique in their properties and require a specialized approach when it comes to fire suppression. Alcohol-resistant foam works by forming a protective layer on the surface of the fuel, which prevents it from igniting even as it makes contact with the flammable liquid. This foam not only suppresses flames effectively but also allows for better control over the spread of the fire.

Using standard foam types, such as protein or fluoroprotein foams, may not be effective against alcohol fires due to the polar nature of alcohols, which can break the film formed by these other foams. Aqueous film-forming foam is also not specifically designed for polar solvents and may not provide adequate suppression for alcohol-based fires. In contrast, alcohol-resistant foam is designed to withstand the influence of polar solvents and provide the necessary barrier to extinguish the fire successfully.