Firefighting Gear Shelf Life Of Foam Products

It depends on what type of foam concentrate you have for firefighting gear shelf life of foam products as typically the it will vary from product to product. Concentrates of a protein type have a shelf life from 7 to 10 years. Concentrates of a synthetic type, which are AFFF, Arc type AFFF, high expansion and "class A" concentrates will have a shelf life of 20 to 25 years.

The Arc concentrates will have a gel like nature and often be mistaken for "old" but it is the polysaccharide in it that gives it this consistency to work on polar solvent/water soluble liquids.

Firefighting Gear Shelf Life - When To Throw It Out

New National Fire Protection Association guidelines have stated that the firefighting gear shelf life is no more than 10 years old. If it is 10 years old or more firefighters should not ever enter a burning building with it on.

Suits will age and fire departments across the nation, especially smaller ones are struggling to come up with the funds to replace old gear. Replacement gear can cost big bucks with bunker pants and coats costing as much as $2,000 dollars. Other gear that will need replaced is boots, helmets and gloves that are all fire resistant. With some fire stations having upwards of 40 firefighters in their department the costs can get very, very high.