Class B firefighting foam

Older types of Class B firefighting foam — the type used for flammable and combustible liquid firefighting — contain perfluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl substances. This class of fluorinated organic chemicals is referred to as PFAS chemicals. Aqueous film-forming foams (AF) are often considered PFAS chemicals.

PFAS chemicals have been determined to be hazardous to humans, especially when they contaminate groundwater and drinking water.

Training with PFAS foams is prohibited

As of July 1, 2020, it will be illegal to discharge PFAS firefighting foams for training or testing purposes. There are a few exceptions to this prohibition, but they require containment, treatment, and disposal measures to prevent the release of PFAS foams into the environment.

Firefighting with PFAS foams

As of July 1, 2020, fire departments using PFAS firefighting foams must report their use within 24 hours. The reporting requirement includes the following:
•    Date, time, and location of the PFAS firefighting foam use.
•    Estimated amount of PFAS firefighting foam used.
•    Purpose or reason for the use of PFAS firefighting foam.
•    Containment, treatment, and disposal measures to be taken to prevent or minimize the release of PFAS firefighting foam into the environment.

Reporting method

With the transition to NERIS, fire departments no longer have a field to report PFAS foam use. Fire departments must add this information to the incident’s narrative report. If there is a release of PFAS foam unrelated to a fire department, please contact Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Amanda Swenson at Amanda.swenson@state.mn.us

Statute reference

A copy of the applicable statute is online.