Alpine Fire is encouraging facilities managers and compliance officers to contribute to the latest UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) consultation on further PFAS restrictions in firefighting foams.
In July 2025 the UK government banned C8 foam because it contains PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), used to create PFAS* (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).
But now the focus is shifting to C6 foam, which still contains trace levels of PFOA, and is widely used within high-hazard systems, such as those operating in the oil and gas, petrochemical, and offshore industries.
“This consultation marks another key step in the UK’s transition away from PFAS-based firefighting agents,” said Mark Thewlis, Senior Engineer at Alpine Fire. “While C8 foam has already been phased out, C6 usage may still be necessary in certain high-risk or specialist settings. That said, their long-term use is under review, and facilities need to understand both the implications and the alternatives.”
Further regulation is likely, and the Environment Protection Agency has said that it expects C6 foam use to be limited in the near future. However, whilst Alpine Fire does not advocate for continued widespread use of C6 foam, it does recognise that a sensible and informed transition is essential for operational safety and compliance, as the fire suppression industry transitions towards fluorine-free foam (F3).
“The shift to fluorine-free systems isn’t as simple as swapping one foam for another,” added Thewlis. “F3 foam has different viscosity and performance characteristics, meaning some suppression systems will require significant modification. Our role is to help clients make the transition safely, effectively, and in line with any upcoming regulation.”
To ensure that stakeholders working with C6 foam have the ability to shape what comes next, Alpine Fire is launching an awareness campaign to publicise the public consultation on the use of all PFAS firefighting foams, which will be running until 18 February 2026.
For more information, or to discuss the removal of C8 and C6 foams from your fire suppression systems, visit www.alpinefire.co.uk
* PFAS substances, also known as ‘forever chemicals’, can pose a significant risk to health and the environment, and are commonly used in firefighting foams (FFF) because of their ability to suppress flammable liquid (class B) fires by forming a film that cuts off the oxygen supply.
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