Intelagard’s Compressed Air Foam (CAF) Systems Help Counter Water Scarcity And Enhance Fire Suppression Operations

In 2021, 58,985 wildfires burned over 7.12 million acres in the USA, compared to just 18,229 wildfires and 1.32 million acres lost in 1983, when official record-keeping began (as per data from the National Interagency Fire Center - NIFC).

An unimaginable amount of water is used every day for mitigation and response solutions. Over the past years, drought conditions have substantially increased and continue to do so, making water even more scarce. The use of only water to suppress fires must be reevaluated, before this precious commodity is gone. This is where foam comes in.

Compressed air foam (CAF) delivery systems

Compressed air foam (CAF) delivery systems are an extremely valuable resource and solution for wildfire suppression

Compressed air foam (CAF) delivery systems are an extremely valuable resource and solution for wildfire suppression. This is not with regards to integrated CAF systems that re traditionally found on pumper trucks –the kind that spits out a milky looking substance. 

A tried-and-true independent CAF delivery system using Enviroshield technology to mimic the polymeric membrane and create a true foam blanket (think shaving cream), without the use of hazardous chemicals. There may be many CAF systems to choose from, but none compare to CAF equipment manufactured by Intelagard.

Macaw - Intelagard’s flagship CAF system

Intelagard’s compressed air foam (CAF) systems have been used in the fire suppression and protection industry for over 30 years, with the Macaw (Intelagard’s flagship system) being selected as the man-portable fire suppression tool of choice for the US Army.

Intelagard’s proprietary Enviroshield technology creates a foam like no other. This patented process mixes firefighting solutions with water to produce a tiny, uniform bubble structure that covers the target to smother and cool fuels.

Intelagard CAFS can expand water resources up to 35 times. For example, the Intelagard Macaw backpack system can use 5 gallons of water mixed with 3 ounces of firefighting solution, in order to produce 175 gallons of firefighting foam. 

H1 Intercept, Intelagard’s 300-gallon skid unit

Over the years, Intelagard has developed several variants of its compressed air foam (CAF) equipment

On a larger scale, the H1 Intercept, Intelagard’s 300-gallon skid unit that can be placed in the back of a pickup truck or on a SXS vehicle, can produce up to 10,500 gallons of fire suppression foam. Expansion of water resources is the way of the present and future, and there is no better way to do this than with an Intelagard CAFS.

Over the years, Intelagard has developed several variants of its compressed air foam (CAF) equipment. These systems range from backpack units, ATV/UTV mounted systems, truck mounted slip-on skid units, and wheeled handcart devices, and can shoot foam from 30 – 90 feet, depending on the unit. 

Optional spray bar can be added for perimeter control

An optional spray bar can be added to produce a 4-foot or longer wet line for perimeter control and burn back. Most units have drafting capabilities of up to 20-foot vertical lift, thereby allowing the user to refill the tank with water from a river, ocean, hot tub, pool, etc. 

Intelagard CAFS can handle debris up to ¼ inch in size, without effecting performance of or damaging the pump. All these features combine to make unparalleled systems that expand the water resources.

Intelagard has invested over thirty years into the research, design, and manufacturing of innovative, military-grade Compressed Air Foam Systems for firefighters and first responders, who are working in the toughest conditions.