What is the effective range of an AFFF extinguisher?

The effective range of an AFFF (Aqueous Film-Forming Foam) extinguisher is typically around 15 feet. This range is crucial because it allows the user to maintain a safe distance from the fire while effectively applying the foam to suppress flammable liquid fires.

The foam works by creating a barrier between the fuel and the oxygen, thus smothering the fire, and the 15-foot range is designed to ensure that the operator can apply it from a secure position. As the foam is discharged, it can spread over the burning surface, which helps in controlling the fire effectively.

The other distances listed are not standard for AFFF extinguishers. A distance of 10 feet would not provide sufficient coverage, while distances of 20 and 25 feet exceed the typical range for effective operation of this type of extinguisher. Overestimating the effective range could lead to compromised safety and ineffective firefighting efforts, as the operator might not be able to adequately reach and extinguish the flames.