ICAO Levels A, B & C - Onshore Civilian Airports

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 (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.

Contents:

• Aberdeen Foam's range of C6 Approved foams
• The difference between ICAO Level A, B & C
• ICAO Levels B & C - a comparison of application rates
• ICAO requiremnets on foam testing
• CAA requirements on foam testing
• Useful links

Aberdeen Foam's range of ICAO approved foams

Aberdeen Foam's range of C6 AFFF foams approved to ICAO Standards are:

To download a chart of our complete foam standard listings, please click here.

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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 here.)

ICAO Level C places increased emphasis on

• Impacts of fluctuating water pressure

• ARFF vehicle monitor application rates, i.e. regular produced foam testing.

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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!

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

For a copy of the full OTAC article, please click here.

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 ICAO requirements on foam testing

According to ICAO Doc 9137-AN/898 Airport Services Manual Part 1: Rescue and Firefighting, Fourth Edition, 2015, paragraph 8.1.7, in order to "to ensure the on-going capability of the foam production system", testing of your system "should be performed at least every twelve months."

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CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) requirements on foam testing

According to CAA CAP 168, 11th Edition, 2019, paragraph 8.84: “any stocks of fire extinguishing agents […] should be assessed for continued satisfactory performance by taking samples from each batch and having these analysed at regular intervals by a competent person”.

Paragraphs 8.87, 8.87 & 8.93 also state “In order to ensure that foam production by an RFFS vehicle is of an acceptable standard a Foam Production Performance Test […] should be carried out [to confirm] the induction percentage for all foam-making devices […] In-service test should be conducted to ensure the ongoing capability of the foam production system at least every 12 months.”

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Useful links

• OTAC document: "Rescue and Fire-Fighting Management of Extinguishing Agents" (PDF)
• Asia Pacific Fire Magazine article: "Proposed ICAO Fire Test Changes Compromise Fires Safety" (PDF)
• ICAO Doc 9137-AN/898 Airport Services Manual Part 1: Rescue and Firefighting, Fourth Edition, 2015 (PDF): download from BAZL (Federal Office of Civil Aviation) website here
• CAA CAP 168 Licensing of Aerodromes, 11th Edition, 2019 (PDF): download from CAA website here

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