Phos-Chek Explained

Phos-Chek is a brand of long-term[1] fire retardants, class A foams, and gels manufactured by Perimeter Solutions, headquartered in Clayton, Missouri, United States.[2] [3]

Products

Fire retardants

Phos-Chek fire retardants are manufactured as dry powders or as concentrated liquids and diluted with water prior to use.[4] The retardant is applied ahead of wildfires to homes[5] [6] and vegetation by ground crews and aerial firefighting units, either fixed-wing or rotary-wing aircraft.[7] As of 2022, Phos-Chek LC-95A is the most used fire retardant in the world.[8]

Phos-Chek is produced in several colors,[9] including off-white,[10] red iron oxide,[11] and a fugitive mixture that is red when dispersed but gradually fades to an earth-tone when exposed to sunlight. The red color aids aircrews in targeting drops of retardant.[12]

Some of the main components of Phos-Chek retardants include ammonium polyphosphate, diammonium phosphate, diammonium sulfate, monoammonium phosphate, attapulgus clay, guar gum (or a derivative of guar gum), and trade secret performance additives.[13] Fire retardants are manufactured as several different formulations with varying proportions of the above components.[14]

Potential Harms

Concerns have been raised that Phos-Chek harms fish and acquatic life; and that it causes long-term effects on soils, insects, and microbiology.[15] A group based in Oregon called Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics sued the U.S. Forest Service, claiming the service violated the Clean Water Act by spraying Phos-Chek without assessing the product's harmful effects on waterways. In 2023, a Montana judge agreed that the USFS was violating the Clean Water Act, but declined to prohibit the agency from using Phos-Chek, instead requiring the USFS to apply for a permit from the EPA, but permitting USFS to continue using the product in the meantime.[16]

The phosphate and sulfate salts act as fire retardants and prevent combustion of cellulosic materials. Phosphate can also act as a fertilizer once the fire danger has passed. Guar gum and clay are thickening agents to prevent dispersal of the retardant after it is dropped from the plane. Other ingredients include corrosion inhibitors and flow conditioners.[17] Phos-Chek and other retardants based on ammonium phosphate may cause algae blooms in bodies of water when washed downstream and may increase the growth of invasive plant species.[8]

Class A foam

Phos-Chek WD-881 is a mixture of anionic surfactants, foam stabilizers, and solvents including hexylene glycol. As a fire-fighting foam, it is used as a short-term fire suppressant.[18]

History

The first Phos-Chek retardant product was available in 1962, and was the first phosphate-based fire retardant approved by the United States Forest Service. The Phos-Chek brand belonged to the Monsanto Company until 1998, when ownership was transferred to Solutia Inc. In 2000, Astaris LLC acquired the Phos-Chek name. In November 2005, Astaris LLC was acquired by Israel Chemicals Ltd. (ICL),[19] and the Phos-Chek brand was renamed "PHOS-CHEK Fire Safety Group" and assigned to the Performance Products division of ICL (ICL PPLP).[20] In 2018, private investment firm SK Capital acquired the Fire Safety and Oil Additives businesses of ICL and renamed it Perimeter Solutions, and the PHOS-CHEK brand was acquired with the business.[21]

Manufacturing

The Airbase Service Center, located in Post Falls, Idaho supports all bulk bases (equipment and product support to agency operated bases), SEAT bases (equipment and product support for Single Engine Air Tanker Bases), and Portable Base Operations (mobile rotor and fixed-wing bases). Various equipment maintenance and base rebuilds are performed from this location. Fabrication of liquid concentrate tanks, batch mixers, Hopper Units, and various other equipment is performed from this location.[22]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: USDA Forest Service – Long-term retardant specifications . 2008-11-20 . September 25, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080925131913/http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/fire/wfcs/lt-ret.htm . live .
  2. Web site: Perimeter-Solutions.com . 2008-11-20 . July 17, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210717082837/http://www.perimeter-solutions.com/ . live .
  3. Web site: Phos-Chek US Airbase Service Update. 1(11), 3 . November 1, 2008 . 2008-11-20 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110715080430/http://phos-chek.com/uploads/images/Airbase_News_Letter__November__2008.pdf . July 15, 2011 .
  4. Web site: Phos-Chek Retardant Products . 2008-11-20 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110715080403/http://phos-chek.com/products/retardant/retardant-products.php . 2011-07-15 .
  5. News: Concierge-level fire protection . Los Angeles Times . November 11, 2008 . August 6, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230806232947/https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-richfire26oct26-story.html . live .
  6. Web site: Pricey Fire Protection, KTLA News . November 14, 2008 . 2008-11-20.
  7. Web site: USDA Forest Service Aviation Management Tech Tips . 2008-11-18 . September 6, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090906153249/http://www.fs.fed.us/eng/pubs/html/95571305/95571305.html . live .
  8. News: Ridler . Keith . US testing new fire retardant, critics push other methods . AP News . July 2, 2022 . en . July 3, 2022 . July 3, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220703142417/https://apnews.com/article/wildfires-fires-forests-idaho-boise-04777978ba8998d9df172ee8252608c4 . live .
  9. Vandersall . Howard L. . Kegeler . Gary H. . January 13, 2004 . Colorant liquid, method of use, and wildfire retardant liquids containing the same . 6676858 . . US.
  10. Web site: WildFireBreak.com . 2008-11-20 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080820084123/http://www.wildfirebreak.com/fire_retardant.htm . August 20, 2008 .
  11. Web site: Phos-Chek D75 Fire Retardants . 2008-11-20 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110715080354/http://phos-chek.com/uploads/images/Product_Profile_D75_ICL.pdf . 2011-07-15 .
  12. Web site: ICL Performance Products, LP. Retardant Information Sheet . June 2008 . 2008-11-20 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090106005320/http://phos-chek.com/uploads/images/Phos_Chek_Retardant_Information_Sheet.pdf . 2009-01-06 .
  13. Web site: AIG FAQ about Phos-Chek . 2008-11-18 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080908075728/http://web.aig.com/2008/pcg7173/FAQ_PhosChek_5.08.pdf . 2008-09-08 .
  14. Web site: USDA Forest Service – Wildland Fire Product Information . 2008-11-20 . January 19, 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090119031739/http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/fire/wfcs/products/index.htm . live .
  15. Web site: California's fire season has begun as debate over wildfire retardant heats up : NPR . . July 4, 2023 . July 4, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230704153523/https://www.npr.org/2023/07/04/1185922718/californias-fire-season-has-begun-as-debate-over-wildfire-retardant-heats-up . live .
  16. Web site: As California fire season begins, debate over wildfire retardant heats up . July 4, 2023 . July 4, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230704153523/https://www.eagletribune.com/region/as-california-fire-season-begins-debate-over-wildfire-retardant-heats-up/article_6aa373b8-bb54-52e1-a81a-0f04f3912ab5.html . live .
  17. Web site: Phos-Chek Retardant . 2008-11-20 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081120160253/http://phos-chek.com/products/retardant.php . 2008-11-20 .
  18. Web site: Ecological Effects of Fire Retardant Chemicals and Fire Suppressant Foams: Description of Chemicals - Phos-Chek WD-881 . US Geological Survey . 31 March 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070818012446/http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/habitat/fireweb/descchem.htm . 18 August 2007 .
  19. Web site: Astaris . 5 March 2010 . LinkedIn.com.
  20. Web site: About Us: Phos-Chek Fire Safety Group . Phos-Chek.com . 5 March 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081120160551/http://phos-chek.com/about-us.php . 20 November 2008 .
  21. Web site: SK Capital Closes Acquisition of the Fire Safety and Oil Additives Businesses from Israel Chemicals LTD. And Changes Name to Perimeter Solutions | SK Capital Partners. 28 March 2018. July 13, 2021. July 13, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210713220035/https://skcapitalpartners.com/sk-capital-closes-acquisition-of-the-fire-safety-and-oil-additives-businesses-from-israel-chemicals-ltd-and-changes-name-to-perimeter-solutions/. live.
  22. Web site: Welcome to Phos-Chek fire retardant, Class A foam, and gel for fire fighting . Phoschek . 2012-02-29 . March 10, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120310145803/http://www.phoschek.com/ . live .

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