How long will an AFFF extinguisher last?

How long will an AFFF extinguisher last?

• A. 45-55 seconds of use.
• B. 55-65 seconds of use.
• C. 70-80 seconds of use.
• D. 30-40 seconds of use.

Answer: (B)

An AFFF extinguisher lasts for about a minute of continuous discharge. The amount of foam solution and the fixed flow rate through the nozzle are sized so you can apply the foam for roughly 55 to 65 seconds, enough time to blanket the fire and cool the fuel surface to prevent reignition. In practice, you’ll have around that one-minute window, with actual time varying slightly by the exact unit and conditions.

An AFFF extinguisher lasts for about a minute of continuous discharge. The amount of foam solution and the fixed flow rate through the nozzle are sized so you can apply the foam for roughly 55 to 65 seconds, enough time to blanket the fire and cool the fuel surface to prevent reignition. In practice, you’ll have around that one-minute window, with actual time varying slightly by the exact unit and conditions.