ICAO Levels

In the UK, the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) requires a foam concentrate for use in Civilian Airports to be tested using potable (fresh) water to ICAO Level A, B or C.

• ICAO Levels (International Civil Aviation Organization) approved products are not conformance monitored after accreditation.
• ICAO Level A requires a 2.8m² fire to be extinguished at an application rate of 4.1L/min/m².
• ICAO Level B requires a 4.5m² fire to be extinguished at an application rate of 2.5L/min/m².
• ICAO Level C requires a 7.32m² fire to be extinguished at an application rate of 1.75L/min/m².
• All levels require a heptane fire with a 60 second pre-burn and using potable (fresh) water.
• For further information, please visit the ICAO website – Read more.

Aberdeen Foam’s range of C6 foams approved to ICAO Levels are:

• 3% AFFF-C6 (Level B)

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What is the difference between ICAO Levels A, B & C?

ICAO Level A

In order to obtain ICAO Level A certification the foam concentrate, once proportioned correctly, must extinguish a 2.8m² hydrocarbon fire within the given specifications (see table below).

The application rate for the ICAO Level A test is 4.1 L/min/m².

ICAO Level B

In order to obtain ICAO Level B certification the foam concentrate, once proportioned correctly, must extinguish a 4.5m² hydrocarbon fire within the given specifications (see table below).

The application rate for the ICAO Level B test is 2.5 L/min/m².

ICAO Level C

In order to obtain ICAO Level C certification the foam concentrate, once proportioned correctly, must extinguish a 7.32m² hydrocarbon fire within the given specifications (see table below).

The application rate for the ICAO Level C test is 1.75 L/min/m².

ICAO Level C test has been designed to permit substantially reduced quantities of foam and water to be available on fire trucks.

For further information, please refer to the OTAC document on Rescue and Fire-Fighting Management of Extinguishing Agents – Read more.

ICAO Level C places increased emphasis on:

• Impacts of fluctuating water pressure
• ARFF vehicle monitor application rates, i.e. regular produced foam testing.

ICAO Levels B & C – a comparison of application rates

As discussed above, the application rates for the new ICAO Levels B & C tests are different.

For Level B the rate is 2.5L/min/m², compared with 1.75L/min/m² Level C – a reduction of 30%!

But how does this difference affect foams in use?

An article published in OTAC (Overseas Territories Aviation Circular) provided guidance on the amount of foam needed in use, directly comparing foams meeting both ICAO Level B and Level C – a summary of which can be seen below.

In summary and in line with the testing specifications, 30% less foam is required of a Level C foam compared with one that meets only Level B – a considerable saving!

Aberdeen Foam 3% AFFF-C6 Airport Foam meets ICAO Level C – so why choose anything else?

Contact Us for further information.

 

	Foam meeting ICAO Level B					Foam meeting ICAO Level C
Size of Aircraft (metres)	Water (litres)	3% foam concentrate (litres)*	6% foam discharge (litres)*	Foam discharge (litres / minute)		Water (litres)	3% foam concentrate (litres)*	6% foam discharge (litres)*	Foam discharge (litres / minute)
<9	230	14	28	230		160	8.5	19	160
>9 – <12	670	40	80	550		460	27.5	55	360
>12 – <18	1200	72	144	900		820	49	98	630
>18 – <24	2400	144	288	1800		1700	102	204	1100
>24 – <28	5400	324	648	3000		3900	234	468	2200
>28 – <39	7900	474	948	4000		5800	348	696	2900
>39 – <49	12100	726	1452	5300		8800	528	1056	3800
>49 – <61	18200	1092	2184	7200		12800	768	1536	5100
>61 – <76	24300	1458	2916	9000		17100	1026	2052	6300
>76 – <90	32300	1938	3876	11200		22800	1368	2736	7900

* Volume of foam concentrate is at required aerodrome availability of 200%