FAQ

 Frequently Asked Questions

F-500 Encapsulator Agent (F-500 EA)

The shelf life of F-500 EA is at least 15 years, assuming the container has not been opened.  Testing is ongoing.

In the United States, feel free to contact us directly for a quote.  If we have a distributor in your area, we’ll give you the opportunity to buy locally.  F-500 EA is also available internationally.  For inquiries outside of the United States, we will connect you with one of our foreign sales offices.

Although F-500 EA shares some surface tension reduction properties of a wetting agent, F-500 EA is neither a wetting agent, nor a foam.  F-500 is an “Encapsulator Agent.”  A foam agent creates a foam blanket that smothers a fire, depriving the fire of oxygen.  This is one element of the fire tetrahedron.  F-500 EA extinguishes a fire by eliminating three legs of the fire tetrahedron.  Although F-500 EA does not smother a fire, it does rapidly cool the fire – remove the heat; remove the fire.  F-500 EA also encapsulates the fuel, rendering it nonflammable and nonignitable.  Finally, F-500 EA inhibits the free radical chain reaction, which is a chemical reaction resulting from the energy created by the fire.  These flammable off-gases are also encapsulated.  Eliminating any one element of the fire tetrahedron can extinguish a fire – F-500 EA eliminates three elements.

F-500 EA is commonly used at ½ – 1% on Class A fires, and 3% on polar and nonpolar Class B fires, Class D fires and some Class C fires, such as high-voltage hybrid and electric car batteries and energized transformers (consult F-500 EA SOG’s before fighting transformer fires).

Although F-500 EA can quickly extinguish a Class B fire, this is not to be confused with “fuel spill neutralization.” To encapsulate an entire hydrocarbon fuel spill, you need to know how much fuel has been spilled. The ratio is 1 part F-500 EA; 8 parts fuel and 40 parts of water. A typical fuel spill on a highway of 8 gallons would require one gallon of F-500 EA and 40 gallons of water to render the spill harmless; nonflammable and nonignitable. It can be safely vacuumed or left to evaporate, depending on local regulations.

Yes.  F-500 Encapsulator Agent, as well as all of HCT’s Pinnacle foams are recognized by the Insurance Services Office as equivalent to foam and thereby qualify for point credit recognition to municipal fire departments.

F-500 EA is UL listed for use on Class A and Class B fires, although F-500 EA has been used successfully on multiple Class D fires, where other agents have failed. Although not generally used or recommended on Class C fires, F-500 EA has been thoroughly tested on high-voltage lithium-ion battery fires and transformer fires.

Most of the lithium-ion battery fire testing was conducted in Germany by Bosch Group, DEKRA Automobile GmbH, Daimler AG and Deutsche ACCUmotive GmbH & Co.. KG and endorsed by the State Fire School Baden-Wurttemberg. They concluded F-500 EA was the best agent available to extinguish high-voltage battery car fires due to its ability to cool and extinguish the batteries, as well as modern automobile plastic and magnesium components and fuels.

Energized transformer testing was conducted by ConEdison in New York City. F-500 EA was the only agent capable of resisting electrical charge back to the nozzle. Further testing proved a 3% solution of F-500 EA and water could be applied to a transformer energized to 345,000 volts. The F-500 EA solution can safely be applied at 25 feet with a fog pattern or from 125 feet with a stream from any straight bore nozzle, regardless of volume. The combination of hot mineral oil and high temperatures is a perfect combination for F-500 EA, allowing it to cool the massive amounts of metal and encapsulate and cool the oil.

Nontoxic and Non-Skin Sensitizing
F-500 was found to be non-sensitizing when tested in accordance with OECD-406.

Nonhazardous
F-500 EA contains no ingredients reportable under Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) Title III, Section 313 of 40 CFR-372 or the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) as of July 1, 1995. F-500 EA is discarded as nonhazardous waste under RCRA CFR261.

Fully Biodegradable
Testing shows that F-500 EA is 100% fully biodegradable. As with any substance, care should be taken to prevent uncontrolled discharge from entering ground water, surface water or storm drains. With advance notice, F-500 EA can be treated by local biological wastewater treatment plants.

The lower the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), the lower the demand for oxygen and the better for the aquatic ecosystem. F-500’s BOD is 87% less and COD is 80% less than that of several AR-AFFF products.

EPA NCP Product Schedule Listed
F-500 EA is listed on the National Contingency Plan Product Schedule of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a surface washing agent.

F-500 EA has been sold since 1997 and has gained worldwide recognition as a unique firefighting and spill control tool.

F-500 EA is available around the world.

We also manufacture foam, so we are careful to point out foam is a good product in certain situations.  However, we feel F-500 EA is a more versatile product.  The same F-500 EA can be used on Class A, Class B polar, Class B nonpolar, Class C (transformers and high-voltage car fires) and Class D fires.  Three different foams are required for Class A, Class B polar and Class B nonpolar.  Additional products are generally used on Class C and D.  And then there’s three-dimensional fires . . . NFPA 11 specifically states “Foam is not suitable for three-dimensional flowing liquid fuel fires or for gas fires.”  Because the foam blanket traps in the heat, foam is very poor at cooling.  Also, much more agent and water is required for foam over F-500 EA.  You can expect fewer callbacks for rekindles, because F-500 EA reduces the temperature below autoignition temperatures. Also, F-500 EA doesn’t create the scalding steam associated with fire extinguishment; instead, F-500 EA results in a warm vapor at about 140°F.  That alone can mean fewer workman’s comp claims.  As F-500 EA encapsulates the free radicals, there is less toxic smoke and improved visibility.  Finally, for hydrocarbon spills, F-500 EA encapsulates the fuel, making it safe, whereas foam needs to be re-applied to prevent the blanket from breaking down.

Not generally, however, F-500 EA has been thoroughly tested on high-voltage lithium-ion battery fires and transformer fires.

Most of the lithium-ion battery fire testing was conducted in Germany by Bosch Group, DEKRA Automobile GmbH, Daimler AG and Deutsche ACCUmotive GmbH & Co.. KG and endorsed by the State Fire School Baden-Wurttemberg. They concluded F-500 EA was the best agent available to extinguish high-voltage battery car fires due to its ability to cool and extinguish the batteries and modern automobile plastic and magnesium components and fuels.

Energized transformer testing was conducted by ConEdison. F-500 EA was the only agent capable of resisting electrical charge back to the nozzle. Further testing proved a 3% solution of F-500 EA and water could be applied to a transformer energized to 345,000 volts. The F-500 EA solution can safely be applied at 25 feet with a fog pattern or from 125 feet with a stream from any straight bore nozzle, regardless of volume. The combination of hot mineral oil and high temperatures is a perfect combination for F-500 EA, allowing it to cool the massive amounts of metal and encapsulate and cool the oil.

The fuel remains in place.  The F-500 EA water droplets are attracted to the hydrocarbon molecules and surround them, forming micelles or ”chemical cocoons.”  Although the fuel still exists and can be physically separated from the F-500 EA, it is nonflammable and nonignitable and will generally remain that way until it evaporates.

Toggle Content goes here

Toggle Content goes here

F-500 Encapsulator Agent

The shelf life of F-500 EA is at least 15 years, assuming the container has not been opened.  Testing is ongoing.

In the United States, feel free to contact us directly for a quote.  If we have a distributor in your area, we’ll give you the opportunity to buy locally.  F-500 EA is also available internationally.  For inquiries outside of the United States, we will connect you with one of our foreign sales offices.

F-500 EA is commonly used at ½ – 1% on Class A fires, and 3% on polar and nonpolar Class B fires, Class D fires and some Class C fires, such as high-voltage hybrid and electric car batteries and energized transformers (consult F-500 EA SOG’s before fighting transformer fires).Although F-500 EA can quickly extinguish a Class B fire, this is not to be confused with “fuel spill neutralization.” To encapsulate an entire hydrocarbon fuel spill, you need to know how much fuel has been spilled. The ratio is 1 part F-500 EA; 8 parts fuel and 40 parts of water. A typical fuel spill on a highway of 8 gallons would require one gallon of F-500 EA and 40 gallons of water to render the spill harmless; nonflammable and nonignitable. It can be safely vacuumed or left to evaporate, depending on local regulations.

Yes.  F-500 Encapsulator Agent, as well as all of HCT’s Pinnacle foams are recognized by the Insurance Services Office as equivalent to foam and thereby qualify for point credit recognition to municipal fire departments.

F-500 EA is UL listed for use on Class A and Class B fires, although F-500 EA has been used successfully on multiple Class D fires, where other agents have failed. Although not generally used or recommended on Class C fires, F-500 EA has been thoroughly tested on high-voltage lithium-ion battery fires and transformer fires.Most of the lithium-ion battery fire testing was conducted in Germany by Bosch Group, DEKRA Automobile GmbH, Daimler AG and Deutsche ACCUmotive GmbH & Co.. KG and endorsed by the State Fire School Baden-Wurttemberg. They concluded F-500 EA was the best agent available to extinguish high-voltage battery car fires due to its ability to cool and extinguish the batteries, as well as modern automobile plastic and magnesium components and fuels.Energized transformer testing was conducted by ConEdison in New York City. F-500 EA was the only agent capable of resisting electrical charge back to the nozzle. Further testing proved a 3% solution of F-500 EA and water could be applied to a transformer energized to 345,000 volts. The F-500 EA solution can safely be applied at 25 feet with a fog pattern or from 125 feet with a stream from any straight bore nozzle, regardless of volume. The combination of hot mineral oil and high temperatures is a perfect combination for F-500 EA, allowing it to cool the massive amounts of metal and encapsulate and cool the oil.

Nontoxic and Non-Skin Sensitizing
F-500 was found to be non-sensitizing when tested in accordance with OECD-406.Nonhazardous
F-500 EA contains no ingredients reportable under Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) Title III, Section 313 of 40 CFR-372 or the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) as of July 1, 1995. F-500 EA is discarded as nonhazardous waste under RCRA CFR261.Fully Biodegradable
Testing shows that F-500 EA is 100% fully biodegradable. As with any substance, care should be taken to prevent uncontrolled discharge from entering ground water, surface water or storm drains. With advance notice, F-500 EA can be treated by local biological wastewater treatment plants.The lower the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), the lower the demand for oxygen and the better for the aquatic ecosystem. F-500’s BOD is 87% less and COD is 80% less than that of several AR-AFFF products.EPA NCP Product Schedule Listed
F-500 EA is listed on the National Contingency Plan Product Schedule of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a surface washing agent.

F-500 EA has been sold since 1997 and has gained worldwide recognition as a unique firefighting and spill control tool.

F-500 EA is available around the world.

We also manufacture foam, so we are careful to point out foam is a good product in certain situations.  However, we feel F-500 EA is a more versatile product.  The same F-500 EA can be used on Class A, Class B polar, Class B nonpolar, Class C (transformers and high-voltage car fires) and Class D fires.  Three different foams are required for Class A, Class B polar and Class B nonpolar.  Additional products are generally used on Class C and D.  And then there’s three-dimensional fires . . . NFPA 11 specifically states “Foam is not suitable for three-dimensional flowing liquid fuel fires or for gas fires.”  Because the foam blanket traps in the heat, foam is very poor at cooling.  Also, much more agent and water is required for foam over F-500 EA.  You can expect fewer callbacks for rekindles, because F-500 EA reduces the temperature below autoignition temperatures. Also, F-500 EA doesn’t create the scalding steam associated with fire extinguishment; instead, F-500 EA results in a warm vapor at about 140°F.  That alone can mean fewer workman’s comp claims.  As F-500 EA encapsulates the free radicals, there is less toxic smoke and improved visibility.  Finally, for hydrocarbon spills, F-500 EA encapsulates the fuel, making it safe, whereas foam needs to be re-applied to prevent the blanket from breaking down.

Not generally, however, F-500 EA has been thoroughly tested on high-voltage lithium-ion battery fires and transformer fires.Most of the lithium-ion battery fire testing was conducted in Germany by Bosch Group, DEKRA Automobile GmbH, Daimler AG and Deutsche ACCUmotive GmbH & Co.. KG and endorsed by the State Fire School Baden-Wurttemberg. They concluded F-500 EA was the best agent available to extinguish high-voltage battery car fires due to its ability to cool and extinguish the batteries and modern automobile plastic and magnesium components and fuels.Energized transformer testing was conducted by ConEdison. F-500 EA was the only agent capable of resisting electrical charge back to the nozzle. Further testing proved a 3% solution of F-500 EA and water could be applied to a transformer energized to 345,000 volts. The F-500 EA solution can safely be applied at 25 feet with a fog pattern or from 125 feet with a stream from any straight bore nozzle, regardless of volume. The combination of hot mineral oil and high temperatures is a perfect combination for F-500 EA, allowing it to cool the massive amounts of metal and encapsulate and cool the oil.

The fuel remains in place.  The F-500 EA water droplets are attracted to the hydrocarbon molecules and surround them, forming micelles or ”chemical cocoons.”  Although the fuel still exists and can be physically separated from the F-500 EA, it is nonflammable and nonignitable and will generally remain that way until it evaporates.

Safety Data Sheets of all of our chemical agents are available upon request. Please contact info@hct-world.com for more information.

HydroLock


Yes.  HydroLock is an “encapsulator agent” and shares many of the same qualities as F-500 Encapsulator Agent, however HydroLock is specifically for tank degassing and cleaning, where rapid cooling and firefighting capabilities are not required.

HydroLock is generally used at 3% for all tank degassing and cleaning operations.

In our experience with spill mitigation, as soon as we start to spray into a confined space or a flat spill on the ground, the encapsulation takes place immediately. The LEL monitor determines the percentage of LEL’s in the environment. Once the LEL is at less than 5%, it is safe for entry or continued work.

Experience has shown, time and time again, that the labor time is reduced by half, in most cases, or more depending on the size of the tank and what the objectives are. Using HydroLock has proven to save time, which leads to more revenue for each job.

Depending on the size and type of tank, we see contractors using pressure washer spray wands with an educator tube to pick up the HydroLock out of the pail. Others use various size fire hoses with eductors set to a 3% application rate. In addition contractors have used steam or hot water applications with the 3% HydroLock/water mixture, which helps penetrate through the hydrogen sulfide deposits that cake on the interior of the tanks. We have the best agent to reduce the LEL’s, as well as loosen up the caked-on deposits.

If you are trying to encapsulate bulk hydrocarbon liquid to render it nonflammable, you would need 1 part of HydroLock to 8 parts of the hydrocarbon liquid and at least 40 parts of water. If you are trying to reduce the LEL’s in a tank atmosphere, then you only need to apply until the LEL monitor reads less than 5% to 0%, which indicates safe entry for work on the tank.

Since the effluent is a bi-product due to the encapsulation of the airborne vapors and encapsulation of the residual fuel found in the bottom of a tank, the effluent is stable, encapsulated in the spherical micelles created by HydroLock’s amphipathic molecules. It is not releasing detectable amounts of hydrocarbons. This process allows for disposal as a nonhazardous, nonflammable liquid, and most likely will be accepted into most landfill sites that take waste oil and water mixtures that can be treated with oil-water separators.

Pinnacle Foam


Many people are reluctant to change to a new technology of firefighting.  To those people, we offer high quality Class A foam.

As foams go, Pinnacle is a very good foam capable of performing well against other foams.  In addition it is well-priced in the marketplace.

Pinnacle is available as Class A foam.Pinnacle Class A Foam – This Class A foam product meets the requirements of NFPA
1150 – Standard on Foam Chemicals for Fires in Class A Fuels.

Pinnacle Class A foam is used at 1% on all Class A fires.

 

Contact

 Please fill out the form below for more information or to request a quote!