CHEMGUARD C137 1x3 AR-AFFF (Alcohol Resistant Aqueous Film-Forming Foam) Concentrate combines fluoro- and hydrocarbon-surfactant technologies to provide superior fire and vapor suppression for Class B, polar solvent and hydrocarbon fuel fires. This synthetic foam concentrate is intended for forceful or gentle firefighting applications at 1% solution on hydrocarbon fuels and gentle firefighting applications at 3% solution on polar solvent fuels in fresh, salt, or hard water.

CHEMGUARD C137 foam solution utilizes three suppression mechanisms intended for rapid fire knockdown and superior burnback resistance:

• The foam blanket blocks oxygen supply to the fuel.
• Liquid drains from the foam blanket and forms either:
  • An aqueous film on a hydrocarbon fire, or
  • A polymeric membrane on a polar solvent fire which suppresses the vapor and seals the fuel surface.
• The water content of the foam solution produces a cooling effect for additional fire suppression.

CHEMGUARD C137 Concentrate is a non-Newtonian fluid that is both pseudoplastic and thixotropic; therefore, dynamic viscosity will decrease as shear increases.

The CHEMGUARD C137 1x3 AR-AFFF Concentrate formulation contains short-chain, C6 fluorochemicals manufactured using a telomer-based process that produces no PFOS.

Approvals, Listings, and Standards

CHEMGUARD C137 1x3 AR-AFFF Concentrate is designed in accordance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 11 for Low-, Medium-, and High-Expansion Foam. The concentrate is approved, listed, qualified under, or meets the requirements of the following specifications and standards:

• UL Standard 162, Foam Liquid Concentrates
• ULC S564, Category 2 Foam Liquid Concentrates
• EN 1568: 2008
  • Parts 1, 3, 4

Application

CHEMGUARD C137 1x3 AR-AFFF Concentrate is intended for use on both types of Class B fires: hydrocarbon fuels with low water solubility, such as crude oils, gasolines, diesel fuels, and aviation fuels; and polar solvent fuels with appreciable water solubility, such as methyl and ethyl alcohol, acetone, and methyl ethyl ketone. It may also be used in conjunction with dry chemical agents to provide even greater fire suppression performance.

CHEMGUARD C137 Concentrate can be ideal for semi-fixed, and emergency response firefighting applications such as:

• Fuel or chemical storage tanks
• Industrial chemical and petroleum processing facilities
• Truck/rail loading and unloading facilities
• Flammable liquid containment areas
• Mobile equipment

Foaming Properties

CHEMGUARD C137 1x3 AR-AFFF Concentrate may be effectively applied using most conventional foam discharge equipment at the correct dilution with fresh, salt, or hard water. For optimum performance, water hardness should not exceed 500 ppm expressed as calcium and magnesium.

CHEMGUARD C137 Concentrate requires low energy to foam and the foam solution may be applied with aspirating and non-aspirating discharge devices. Non-aspirating devices, such as handline water fog/stream nozzles or standard sprinkler heads, typically produce expansion ratios from 2:1 to 4:1. Aspirating low-expansion discharge devices typically produce expansion ratios from 3.5:1 to 10:1, depending on the type of device and the flow rate. Medium-expansion discharge devices typically produce expansion ratios from 20:1 to 60:1.

Proportioning

The recommended operational temperature range for CHEMGUARD C137 1x3 AR-AFFF Concentrate is 35 °F to 120 °F (2 °C to 49 °C) per UL-162. This foam concentrate can be correctly proportioned using most conventional, properly calibrated, in-line proportioning equipment such as:

• Balanced and in-line balanced pressure pump proportioners
• Balanced pressure bladder tanks and ratio flow controllers
• Around-the-pump type proportioners
• Fixed or portable in-line venturi type proportioners
• Handline nozzles with fixed eductor/pick-up tubes

For immediate use: The concentrate may also be premixed with fresh or sea water to 1% solution for hydrocarbon fuel fires or a 3% solution for polar solvent fuel fires.

For delayed use: Consult Technical Services for guidance regarding suitability of a stored pre-mixed solution (fresh water only).

Storage and Handling

CHEMGUARD C137 1x3 AR-AFFF Concentrate should be stored in the original supplied package (HDPE totes, drums, or pails) or in the recommended foam system equipment as outlined in Johnson Controls Technical Bulletin Storage of Foam Concentrates. A thin layer up to 1/4 in. (6 mm) thick of appropriate-grade mineral oil may be applied to the surface of the foam concentrate stored in a fixed, atmospheric storage container to help minimize evaporation. Consult Johnson Controls for further guidance regarding the use of mineral oil to help seal the surface of AR-AFFF concentrates.

The concentrate should be maintained within the recommended operational temperature range. Freezing of the product should be avoided. If, however, the product freezes during transport or storage, it must be thawed and inspected for signs of separation. If separation has occurred, or is suspected, the CHEMGUARD C137 Concentrate should be mechanically mixed until homogeneous, and additional testing may be required after mixing to verify product quality.

Factors affecting the foam concentrate’s long-term effectiveness include temperature exposure and cycling, storage container characteristics, air exposure, evaporation, dilution, and contamination. The effective life of CHEMGUARD C137 Concentrate can be maximized through optimal storage conditions and proper handling. CHEMGUARD foam concentrates have demonstrated effective firefighting performance with contents stored in the original package under proper conditions for more than 10 years.

Mixing CHEMGUARD C137 Concentrate with other foam concentrates for long-term storage is not recommended. Use in conjunction with comparable 1x3 AR-AFFF products for immediate incident response is appropriate.

Materials of Construction Compatibility

To help avoid corrosion, galvanized pipe and fittings should never be used in contact with undiluted CHEMGUARD C137 1x3 AR-AFFF Concentrate. Refer to Johnson Controls Acceptable Materials of Construction for recommendations and guidance regarding compatibility of foam concentrate with common materials of construction in the firefighting foam industry.

Inspection

CHEMGUARD C137 1x3 AR-AFFF Concentrate should be inspected periodically in accordance with NFPA 11, EN 13565-2, or other relevant standard. A representative concentrate sample should be sent to Johnson Controls Foam Analytical Services or other qualified laboratory for quality analysis per the applicable standard. An annual inspection and sample analysis is typically sufficient, unless the product has been exposed to unusual conditions.

Ordering Information

CHEMGUARD C137 1x3 AR-AFFF Concentrate is available in pails, drums, totes, or bulk shipment.

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are available at www.chemguard.com.

If any foam product is discharged into the environment, efforts should be made to control, contain and collect the discharge for proper disposal, while following all applicable laws, regulations, and codes. Further information regarding the use, discharge, and disposal of firefighting foams can be found at www.chemguard.com.

Note: The converted values in this document are provided for dimensional reference only and do not reflect actual measurement.

CHEMGUARD and the product names listed in this material are marks and/or registered marks. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.