FireIce
FireIce is a cross-linked eco-friendly polymer that mixes with water to create a gel that stops and prevents fires by eliminating heat and oxygen from the fire.[1] See superabsorbent polymer and fire retadent gel. FireIce is capable of stopping fires that are as hot as 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit and voltages up to 50kV.[2] FireIce is developed and manufactured by GelTech Solutions. In March 2011, The United States Forestry Service added FireIce to its Qualified Products Lists for wildland fire management (see aerial firefighting).[3] FireIce was created in Florida in 2006 by Peter Cordani when he was experimenting with different coatings that would protect homes against hurricanes.[4] During this time, wildfires were also consuming more than 8,000 acres in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.[5]
FireIce is eco-friendly and does no harm if ingested. Cordani says it "tastes like applesauce".[2]
In 2008, FireIce was brought to market by GelTech Solutions. By 2011, FireIce brought in $556,000 of revenue for GelTech Solutions.
In December 2012, Consolidated Edison partnered with GelTech Solutions in order to use FireIce to fight manhole and electrical fires. "After a thorough and comprehensive two year evaluation of fire suppressant products, including independent laboratory testing, Con Edison has chosen FireIce for field testing for use on electrical manhole fires." [6]These field tests were completed in February 2013.[7]
FireIce has been actively used by more than ten state, provincial, and federal wildland firefighting agencies in fighting over 100 wildfires in the United States of America and Canada.[8]
In 2013, Oregon Department of Forestry entered into contracts for Single Engine Airtankers (SEATS) in Eastern Oregon. Due to the success of the SEATS, Oregon Department of Forestry added an additional three SEATS for a total of five SEATS for 2015. As Oregon expanded the fleet of SEATS, they needed to look for alternatives to traditional fire retardant in order to maximize the effectiveness of the SEATS and not be tied to established tanker bases. FireIce quickly rose to the top as an alternative to fire retardant; due to similar properties to fire retardant, company support, and ease of setup and mixing. GelTech’s assistance and knowledge of SEAT operations and willingness to work with contracted vendors provided the needed support for ODF to establish one SEAT base and four reload bases for the 2015 fire season which resulted in over 205,000 gallons of FireIce being applied throughout the state of Oregon in various fuel types.[9]
The 2.5 gallon FireIce fire extinguisher received a UL-listing for Class 2A fires, a milestone achievement for the company.[10]
On January 19, 2016, GelTech Solutions announced that the highly successful 2015 wildland fire season and expects continued growth in 2016, both internally within existing accounts and externally with new accounts. FireIce brand products generated revenue of over $850k for the FireIce wildland fire division during the 2015 calendar year and wildland fire season. It is estimated that FireIce HVO-F was deployed on over 600 air tanker missions across North America last season, in addition to the product that was used by engines on the ground for suppression and structure protection. [11]
On January 20, 2016, GelTech Solutions announced that in its first three months of operations, the growing list of fire departments, police, hazmat teams, and other municipalities adding FireIce to their fire-fighting arsenals now numbers more than twenty. Thanks to the joint efforts of the GelTech and FireIce Solutions teams, interest in FireIce is increasing. Feedback has been extremely positive and FireIce has been credited with several key saves, including a chimney fire in a highly prized historic home. [12]
FireIce's formulation allows effective suppression of:
- Electrical Fires up to 50kV / 40KA[13]
- Arcing of electrical fires (by insulating the event)
- Metal Fires (including magnesium, titanium, calcium, potassium, and lithium)
- Car and Calcium battery fires
- The only liquid-based product (usable in fire extinguishers) that can extinguish Lithium Battery fires even when in runaway
- Tire Fires
- Most accelerant fires
FireIce Shield
FireIce Shield® is a personal and asset protection formulation designed to:
- Provide a protective layer on any medium to protect adjacent surfaces while soldering, welding, and blazing.
- Reduce the risk of accidental charring, burning, or igniting of flammable materials
- Protect surfaces from heat transfer, sparks, and flame while using torch or welding equipment.
GelTech also markets a 2-liter pressurized cylinder for First Responders and Law Enforcement.
FireIce Shield CTP
FireIce Shield® CTP is designed for use when cutting and welding repairs are being made on communication towers.
FireIce Shield CTP protects surface cables from heat transfer, sparks, and flame from the welder's torch. It also contains advanced, colorized formulation designed for better adhesion to cables and tower components.
References
- ↑ "United States Department of Agriculture - Home" (PDF). Fs.fed.us. Retrieved 2013-10-12.
- 1 2 "FireIce Is The Only Thing Between This Guy's Hand And A Blowtorch". Huffingtonpost.com. 2013-09-26. Retrieved 2013-10-12.
- ↑ "United States Department of Agriculture - Home" (PDF). Fs.fed.us. Retrieved 2013-10-12.
- ↑ Zimmerman, Eilene (2011-06-16). "FireIce: A major breakthrough for fighting wildfires - Jun. 16, 2011". Money.cnn.com. Retrieved 2013-10-12.
- ↑ "Wildfire Smoke, Fog Causes Traffic Accidents in Florida". Fox News. 2006-05-09. Retrieved 2013-10-12.
- ↑ "GelTech Solutions Teams Up With Con Edison to Fight Manhole Fires & Enhance Public Safety". Con Edison, inc.
- ↑ "Con Edison & GelTech Wrap 'FireIce' Testing - Yahoo Finance". Finance.yahoo.com. 2013-02-20. Retrieved 2013-10-12.
- ↑ "Eco-Friendly FireIce Used to Combat 100+ Wildfires (and Counting) in the U.S. and Canada This Season". Yahoo Finance.
- ↑ "GelTechs FireIce Used by Oregon Department of Forestry for 2015 Wildland Fire Season". WRCBtv.
- ↑ Porter, Michael. "GelTech FireIce Fire Extinguisher Receives UL Listing" (PDF). fs.fed.us.
- ↑ "GelTech Solutions 2015 Wildland Fire Season Review, 2016 Growth Projections". 12newsnow.com. 12newsnow.
- ↑ "GelTech Solutions : FireIce Gaining Acceptance by Fire Departments, Police Departments, HazMat Teams and Colleges across the Northeast". 4 Traders. 4-traders.com.
- ↑ "GelTech Solutions Unveils New Product for Utility Pole Fire Use". REUTERS.