What type of material is often used in the production of foam for firefighting?

Petroleum-based chemicals are commonly used in the production of firefighting foam due to their effective properties in suppressing fires. Specifically, these chemicals help create a film-forming foam that can smother flames by cooling the fire and preventing the release of flammable vapors. The unique chemical structure of petroleum-based products provides the necessary surfactants that lower surface tension, allowing the foam to spread and effectively blanket the fuel source.

The use of petroleum-based chemicals is crucial because they enhance the foam's stability and resistance to breakdown, which is essential for fighting fires in various scenarios, particularly those involving flammable liquids. This makes petroleum-based firefighting foams highly efficient in controlling and extinguishing fires, especially in industrial and hazardous material incidents, where the risk of re-ignition is significant.

In contrast, biodegradable raw materials are increasingly being explored for more sustainable options but are not as widely used in traditional foam production as petroleum-based chemicals. Glass fiber reinforced plastics and metal compounds do not have the properties necessary for effective firefighting foam production, as they are not designed to create a foaming agent that can suppress combustion effectively.