Gypsy Jan
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Mood: Depends on which way the wind is blowing
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A Question for the Fire Fighters
Asking your opinion about foam fire fighting equipment.
Mexican fire departments are always running short of water to fight fires and more than seventy-five percent of the burning properties suffer a total
loss as a result.
There are foam fire fighting systems that do not need much water but put out a lot of foam. Husband thinks that the systems that create the foam near
the nozzle are easier to keep running and keep clean for the next fire.
There are some people thinking of donating the money to buy this kind of equipment.
Please help out by adding your informed comments on this matter.
Thanks, GJ
“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow mindedness.”
—Mark Twain
\"La vida es dura, el corazon es puro, y cantamos hasta la madrugada.” (Life is hard, the heart is pure and we sing until dawn.)
—Kirsty MacColl, Mambo de la Luna
\"Alea iacta est.\"
—Julius Caesar
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Alan
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I would think the largest cause of total loss in many of the small Baja towns is long response times. Many times in these instances simply being able
to confine the fire to the home of origin can actually be considered a great stop.
There are numerous firefighting foams and gels on the market and each can be very effective in specific circumstances but they aren't a cure all.
The use of a Class A foam on the exposed homes can help to limit damage to the house of origin rather than the zip code of origin such as happened at
Tripui several years back.
In Memory of E-57
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Sonora Wind
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Hope this helps
There are different foams for different fires. Without getting to tech, I think what is called for here is a low expansion type Class A foam. ( Wet
Water) or ( Light Water ) . It's easy to use with low cost equipment, and the foam itself has a much longer self life, and I believe it's the lowest
cost.
As a side note: Back in the day, 70s we would add joy dish soap to the 500 gal tank on the engine once a month. Pump it out and excerise all of the
valves. Helped keep the valves working smooth. One day before I had a chance to empty the tank we caught a brush fire. I noticed how fast the knock
down was. Put two and duce together in my small head and thought ( WET WATER!!! ). After that day I always had a case of cheep soap on the engine.
Great for mop up after a big fire.
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Dave
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Alan
I would think the largest cause of total loss in many of the small Baja towns is long response times. |
In small communities with firefighting equipment the issue is water. Primo Tapia has a pumper truck. Response times are good but water availability is
iffy. Pilas and swimming pools are used as a water source. I don't recall ever seeing a fire hydrant. Additionally, even if a water source is
available getting to it may be a problem. Cars parked on narrow streets and building to lot lines makes it difficult for equipment to maneuver.
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Sonora Wind
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Dave hit on the head
Water is key. Sure foam works great when applied as per the lable. But nothing works like ( BIG FIRE A LOTA WATER SMALL FIRE NOT SO MUCH ) Maybe
look to increase tank storage, or numbers/locations of tanks. Could be a better solution.
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Alan
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Or you could all chip in for a community swimming pool and a Floto-Pump 
In Memory of E-57
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Alan
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My previous post was meant to be humorous, not flippant. I know fire protection is a very serious problem in many, if not most communities throughout
Baja.
Foam systems are very effective in many situations but the initial outlay can be costly and without a reliable source to replenish the foam they can
cause problems. Different foams and even sometimes the same type foam from different vendors can turn to gel and plug up your systems.
Sonora Wind really offers some good advice that would bear testing. I really have never used "wet water" for initial knockdown (other than some veg
fire) but for many years it was extremely effective for mop up as it lowered the viscosity of water thus allowing in to penetrate the material better.
We have gotten away from Wet Water nowadays but use a 1% Class A foam during mopup for much the same effect (lower viscosity).
[Edited on 1-6-2010 by Alan]
In Memory of E-57
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Sonora Wind
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My Last Thought
Where I worked NLVFD, we had a Foam Truck that was always on call if needed. We had a strong budget to replace what we used, and the foam on hand was
rotated out ( used up for training ) on a regular schedual. I would recommend not messing with the expence and hassel of foam. Spend you
money on improved water supply, or Training, or better protective equipment for your FFs, and save the Class A, low expansion, viscosity reduction
type foam for washing the Fire truck after the fire.
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Dave
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Yeah
| Quote: | Originally posted by Sonora Wind
Spend you money on improved water supply |
Like that's gonna work. 
Five years ago main water supply pipes were replaced and no hydrant hookups were added. The water company (CESPT), jealously guards its supply.
Otherwise, consumers would simply help themselves. Also, water is rationed. CESPT assumes everyone has a pila so some areas don't see water flow for
days/weeks on end. The cost of providing adequate water and pressure for fighting fires is obviously not a priority.
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Sonora Wind
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I wasn't aware of the locate water issues. Maybe increased tank storage, ie water trucks with 1000 gal or more??? Anyway, my point was, without
water, foam and the benifits it provdes, are of little help.
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