What’s the Cost of Aircraft Hangar Fire Suppression Testing?
Aircraft hangars house aviation equipment worth millions to even billions of dollars. These facilities also contain highly flammable fuel that requires a foam fire suppression system capable of extinguishing this type of fire. The cost of aircraft hangar fire suppression testing depends on your Authority Having Jurisdiction’s requirements. They may require either activating and testing the system by utilizing water or an environmentally safe foam agent.
PFAS Chemicals
Many AHJs ban foam containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to flood the aircraft hangar during foam fire suppression system testing. These substances, PFAS, belong to a group of chemicals known to cause environmental damage and negatively affect human health. For this reason, these chemicals are slowly being phased out. But there are still many military and commercial aircraft hangar foam fire suppression systems. In the interim, the Department of Defense and many states have banned the use of PFAS in firefighting testing and training applications.
Pricing
Performing hangar foam fire suppression testing includes either flowing water or environmentally safe foam. The cost of aircraft hangar fire suppression testing utilizing environmentally safe foam costs between $35,000-$45,000. If the AHJ permits water to replace the existing foam for the activation, then the price is $2,000-$5,000. Technicians either need to remove or isolate the existing foam. Then they can flow the safe foam or water through the system. They also examine the bladder tank that contains the foam which mixes with water when the system activates. By obtaining a sample of the existing foam and sending it to a lab or testing it on-site reveals whether the sample contains contaminants. The water surrounding the bladder receives testing to determine whether foam is present which is a sign of a problem.
Hangar foam fire suppression testing can cost as little as $2,000 and as much as $45,000. Since foam containing PFAs is no longer permitted for hangar suppression testing purposes, an environmentally safe foam or water must be used in its’ place. The pricing ultimately depends on which substance the AHJ requires as the original foam’s replacement.
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