Frequently Asked Questions

1. Will the fire retardant stain my house or deck?
The retardant has a slight tint when it is dispersed, but it does not stain painted or treated wood.

2. How long will the fire retardant protect my home?
The retardant maintains its protective coating until it is washed off by rain or hose.

3. Will the fire retardant harm my landscaping?
The retardant is fertilizer based.  It can actually promote plant growth.

4. Does the fire retardant go bad after time?
The retardant will last for years in storage.  We suggest a replacement every 5 years as part of a long-term maintenance program.

5. Is the FIREBREAK SPRAY SYSTEM designed for indoor fire suppression?
The FIREBREAK SPRAY SYSTEM is a spraying system designed to adequately deliver fire retardant for exterior structure and perimeter property protection.

6. Is the FIREBREAK SPRAY SYSTEM supposed to put out a house fire?
FIREBREAK SPRAY SYSTEMS fire retardant is designed to prevent your perimeter and house exterior from catching fire from an approaching widlfire or brush fire.  However, water is the carrier of the retardant and can act as a suppression agent.

7. Do I actually fight the wildfire with the FIREBREAK SPRAY SYSTEM?
At any time you feel threatened by an approaching wildfire, depending on your system, you will activate the system and begin evacuation.

8. Is it expensive to recharge the FIREBREAK SPRAY SYSTEM after use?
The cost is typically under $400.00, depending on size of tanks or if multiple tank systems are used.

9. Will my insurance company give me any special consideration for installing a Firebreak Spray System?
Although most insurance companies do not yet reduce the insurance premiums many will only write insurance policies in high-fire risk areas for those that are so equipped.  However, Firebreak Spray Systems is currently working with, and even endorsed by, some major insurance carriers and is in the process of working and testing with others.

1. Who will activate my FIREBREAK SPRAY SYSTEM if I’m not home?
The optional phone system can be activated from a remote site.  The phone system is designed so that you can simply dial the phone that is connected to the FIREBREAK SPRAY SYSTEM and enter your personal code to activate the spray system.  In the event phone activaton is not possible the Firebreak Spray System can also be remotely activated upon detection of a wildfire by a Fire Scout X3-A Wildfire Sensor or a FireALERT Wildfire Detector.

2. What if the fire knocks out the power or water source?
FIREBREAK SPRAY SYSTEMS are powered by compressed air and do not require any electricity or running water to operate.

1. Why use compressed air foam instead of water?
Compressed air foam dramatically expands the effectiveness of plain water.  A 10:1 expansion ratio turns 100 gallons of water in 1000 gallons of fire-fighting foam.  Foam is 20 times wetter than water, it insulates fuel twice as long and is up to 5 times more effective than water.

2. Who needs compressed air foam systems (CAFS)?
Anyone who is at risk of fire damage can benefit from CAFS.   Every business or construction site should have on-site fire suppression equipment.  Subdivisions, farms, ranches, resorts and even entire communities should always have fire suppression and prevention equipment on their property.

3. How do the CAFS work?
CAFS are powered by compressed air or nitrogen.  Merely turn on the valve at the top of each air or nitrogen tank and the unit makes foam, automatically mixing water with just the right amount of foam concentrate and compressed nitrogen.

4. What kind of foam do the CAFS make?
CAFS can make any type of commercially available foam commonly used for fire protection or fire fighting.  Each type of foam has certain qualities that make it more or less appropriate for certain applications.

5. Are the foams biodegradable?
Foams that are compatible with the CAFS are biodegradable and non-toxic.

6. Should I personally use the CAFS to fight the fire?
We do not recommend that homeowners fight fires.  Fighting fires is better left to the professional or volunteer firemen in your area who have had adequate training.  However, the foam made by the CAFS can be used very effectively to fight fires.  We recommend that all of our customers familiarize their local fire department with the operation of their CAFS so that trained firemen will be able to operate their system.  We also urge those who are able, to join their local volunteer fire department and assist in their community's public safety needs.

7. When a wildfire is approaching my home when should I leave?
You should leave the area for safer ground when you feel threatened by the fire, or when the fire authorities give the order to evacuate, whichever comes first.  Be realistic about the threat that a fire poses; a wildfire moving through dry brush can move more quickly than you might imagine if it is fed by wind. Make sure that you don't wait too long, or you may find your escape route cut off.   Then you endanger not only yourself, but also any fire fighters who might try to rescue you.