If you have firefighting extinguishers in your workplace that contain foam (known as AFFF – aqueous film-forming foams), you will need to ensure that by 4 July 2025, they do not contain PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid and its derivatives).
Why are PFOAs being Banned?
New restrictions are coming into force under the UK POPs regulation because the chemicals within PFOAs are known as POPs – persistent organic pollutants. POPs do not break down easily and have harmful environmental and health impacts, such as cancer and development issues.
What Should You Do?
If you have extinguishers that contain PFOA you will need to speak to your supplier about replacing them. That is extinguishers classed as C8 AFFF.
Refilling the extinguisher with a different substance is not enough as they will contain trace elements of the banned chemicals. The contents must be disposed of under the hazardous waste regulations and must not be put down the drain into the water system.
Suggested alternatives to PFOA containing fire-fighting equipment includes:
- A water extinguisher – for Class A fires tackling combustible materials like plastics, wood, paper, textiles etc.
- A non-fluorinated Foam or water mist extinguisher – for Class B fires tacking flammable liquids like petrol, diesel, oils, paint etc.
What About Other AFFF Extinguishers?
Additional restrictions on foam-forming firefighting extinguishers are expected in the coming years. We recommend that businesses begin transitioning to alternative options as their current extinguishers reach the end of their service life.
Future Changes in Fire-Fighting Foams
The EU is looking to ban all PFAS (fluorinated compounds) in firefighting foams in the near future.
This would affect extinguishers containing PFHxA (perfluorohexanoic acid) and projected timelines look as follows:
- Firefighting foam for training and testing and Public FRS – banned from 10 April 2026
- Firefighting foams for Civil aviation- banned from 10 October 2029
Where to Find More Information
For more detailed information on the above see the Fire Industry Association (FIA) or OHEAP Fire & Security.
Alternatively, if you want to speak to someone to ensure you are compliant and ahead of the upcoming regulations, feel free to contact our team for guidance and support. You can call us on 01666 503686 or fill in our contact form and we’ll get back to you.
You may also be interested in the fire safety training we offer for Fire Wardens.