Use AR-SFFF in Lieu of AFFF With NFPA 409?

7/24/2026

We are designing foam system for an aircraft hangar in accordance with NFPA 409.

Is it acceptable to use AR-SFFF instead of AFFF with discharge density of 0.16 gpm/ft² (6.5 L/min/m²)?

AR-SFFF is not specifically mentioned in NFPA 409. Thanks in advance.

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6 Comments

7/24/2026 08:20:41 am

You must confirm with the foam manufacturer that they have an AR-SFFF that is approved for the hazard you are protecting. They should have a UL or FM approval for the application.

Glenn Berger

7/24/2026 08:26:18 am

In addition, you need to design to the mfg approved design criteria. Everything that I have learn to date is that the densities for AFFF will not be the same for SFFF.

Shawn B.

7/24/2026 09:22:49 am

The latest editions of NFPA 11 (2024) and NFPA 409 (2026) have requirments for SFFF. That being said I agree with Glenn, you will need to follow mfg. listings for specific sprinklers and equipment. 0.16 gpm/ft² will not be the case for every sprinkler listed with the SFFF foam concentrate.

Jonathan Griffin

7/24/2026 09:38:15 am

For military applications you will be required to use SFFF vs. AFFF, as there are listed & approved SFFF agents available for immediate use. Most all NFPA 409 projects are moving away from AFFF foam (As well as some number of Firefighter organizations) due to Fluorinated content. You will be hard-pressed to purchase AFFF products anyway, as most OEM's are moving to SFFF as we speak (Some have already put SFFF products on their shelf).

Good luck!

Ricardo Gonzales

7/24/2026 09:40:02 am

The manufacturer is your best friend to answer your questions. We did a SFFF replacement with an airline and all the piping had to be replaced to the point of mixing. The new SFFF used was significantly thicker than AFFF and the proportioners were replaced as well to account for the difference in viscosity.

Jack G

7/24/2026 10:20:34 am

The military spec will tell you what to use just be carefull of a couple things.
Check the victaulic chemical guide for which type elastomeric gasket is approved with foam concentrate and or foam/water solution.
Next, no matter what the military spec calls for , do not use Red Rubber gaskets in flange sets for foam concentrate or foam water.
Red rubber becomes brittle with direct contact with foam concentrate almost immediately. Gaskets then blow out when pumps operate. The same will happen with foam water it just takes longer.
I had a disagreement with the Air Force over their spec. They “ removed my gaskets and put red rubber in. Then expected me to replace foam and clean up their mess, was a very big change order. ( you can’t fix stupid ). Supposedly they changed future specs. I had to go thru 3 sessions with experts, the foam expert fo them indicated in a direct quote ( well maybe that’s what’s wrong with the Niagara Falls pump rooms)
If pre action dry deluge or alarm check valves are called out in their spec they usually list galvanized trim in their foam water and foam concentrate specs.
This is a mistake too. The foam will dissolve the galvanized coating and leave sludge in the lines. Same for galvanized pipe and concentrate.
Use Black trim for all the valves.
My first 2 years of training were spent with national foam and Wilkins valves. Priceless!

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Use AR-SFFF in Lieu of AFFF With NFPA 409?

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