1. 0.5% for Classes B, D & K

2. 0.4% for Class A

3. Can be used as high as 1% but not recommended

B. Can Novacool be mixed at 0.5% for Class A?

1. Yes. Novacool passed the 3A Crib Test for Class Combustibles for knock-down at 0.4% but if your departments set their proportioner at 0.5%, it will work equally as well.

2. Novacool can be used at a mix rate of as little as 0.1% for mop-up and better penetration for duff and landfill fires. We suggest experimenting up and down the dial, never exceeding 1%. Above 1%, Novacool starts to lose its effectiveness.

C. What is the shelf life for Novacool?

Novacool has an indefinite shelf life in its original, sealed containers. The container can be opened to draw concentrate but then should be immediately sealed. Novacool will not separate over time.

D. How long can Novacool be stored in an onboard foam tank?

Novacool can be stored in an onboard tank for up to 5 years in the Eastern U.S. where the relative humidity is high and up to 3 years in the West where the relative humidity is much lower.

E. What kind of training is necessary with Novacool?

Novacool is extremely easy to use. Simply get the solution on the fire, no matter which Class of fire and it will go out.

F. Is it necessary to flush out the system after each use?

While our customers tell us that lack of maintenance is one of the things they like most about using Novacool, we recommend flushing out the hose line and proportioner after each use. This is particularly important when using a Husky 3 proportioner that is not made from brass instead of stainless steel or bronze and does not have chemical-resistant seals. To date, this is the only proportioner we have run across that has had problems when kept wet instead of dry after each use.

G. Is Novacool corrosive?

No, it is not corrosive but will rust steel if the steel is left in contact with the solution long enough. Remember, Novacool solution is 99.5% water which will oxidize or rust steel over time.

H. Is it okay to leave our handpump immersed in the Novacool concentrate after use?

No, we recommend that the pump be removed and the container re-sealed. Metal pick-up tubes will rust and discolor the concentrate and can even make it smell bad. It will not lose its effectiveness.

J. Is Novacool effective on lithium batteries?

LIthium battery fires are UL classified as Class B fires, which Novacool excels at extinguishing. The electrolyte made up of propylene carbonate ethylene carbonate is what is actually buring and is responsible for the thermal runaway. Novacool will help to cool the fire site and protect the surrounding area from combustion, when used in an outdoor environment. Once the battery is breached and the Novacool solution is applied to the electrolyte, emulsification occurs with the water and electrolyte, isolating the electrolyte within the water which will render it not flammable. As with Class D fires, Novacool should not be used in confined spaces due to the potential for creating an explosive, hydrogen bubble.

K. Is Novacool effective in CAFS?

Yes, while Novacool is equally effective using an air-aspirating nozzle, it makes a great CAFS foam and is used by many departments in their CAFS. The key to using a CAFS is to make sure there is enough water in the solution, no matter what concentrate is used. If the CAFS is precharged with Novacool and pressurized, it will remain effective for up to one year. After that, it will start to biodegrade and will need to be changed out. For onboard CAFS, the concentrate is stored in a foam tank and this is not an issue.

L. What type of Nozzle should be used for Class B, D & K fires?

We recommend an air aspirating nozzle. A combination or smooth bore nozzle can also be used but it might be necessary to bank the solution off adjacent walls to agitate the solution, creating a better foam blanket

M. What type of Nozzle should be used for Class A fires?

In structure fires, we recommend a combination nozzle for closed compartments. A 15-30 degree pattern is best for quickly filling the compartment with the solution for rapid cooling. Solid bore can also be used and is most effective when bouncing the solution off the walls and ceiling.

N. Will Novacool extinguish a 3D fire?

Yes, independent testing and our testing have both proven that Novacool will extinguish a 3D fire, ie: cascading fuels, pressurized fires and debris falling into the pool of flammable liquids. Novacool will also extinguish running fuel fires.

O. Does Novacool meet Mil-Spec requirements?

No. Mil-Spec was developed specifically to test AFFF at an application rate of 0.07 gpm per sq. ft. There is very little water used. The water is a delivery system for the poly-saccharides used to create the Aqueous Film Forming Foam. The Mil-Spec testing is done in a highly controlled environment to insure that the blanket is not disrupted. Novacool, on the other hand, is applied at .2 gpm per sq. ft. enhancing the water's inherent extinguishing ability through rapid cooling of the fuels. Novacool has been proven to perform even under adverse weather conditions and 3D scenarios, something AFFF by default cannot do.

P. Does Novacool contain PFOS/PFOA's or their 4,000 plus derivatives?

No, Novacool does not contain any fluorinated compounds. It is biodegradable and can be used without worrying about contaminating your communities' groundwater or soil.

Q. Because Novacool works on 4 Classes of fire, is it more expensive than the alternatives it is being used to replace?

No, Novacool is the most cost-effective foam product on the market due to the fact that it used at a maximum mix rate of 0.5%

R. Does Novacool extinguish tire fires?

Yes, Novacool does an excellent job of extinguishing large tire piles due to its ability to rapidly cool the steel belts that would normally cause the tires to rekindle. Novacool is also able to extinguish the resulting oils released from the tires by the extreme heat.

S. Does Novacool extinguish Magnesium Fires?

Yes, Novacool, through rapid cooling, is able to extinguish Magnesium Fires but only in unconfined spaces. Like lithium, there is the potential for a hydrogen bubble to occur, which can be explosive in confined spaces.

T. Does Novacool make a foam blanket?

Yes, once the fire is extinguished, you can build a blanket as deep as you want for vapor suppression.

U. Will Novacool freeze?

Yes, Novacool will freeze at around 28 degrees F. Once thawed, it will reconstitute back to its original state without separating and will not lose its effectiveness. We have a formula, Novacool Ready To Use Freeze Protected, that is good down to -40 degrees F/C developed for CAFS and pressurized water extinguishers. It is not a concentrate. It is used full strength, ie: a 60-Gallon CAFS will require 12, 5-gallon pails or will fill 2, 2.5-gallon water extinguishers.