Firefighting Foam - History, Relevance, & the Compliance Reckoning (October 07, 2026)

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 20:30:00 GMT

Firefighting Foam - History, Relevance, & the Compliance Reckoning

Presented by: Dan Olecki, PE, Veridity Fire

Firefighting foam remains the primary defense against large flammable-liquid (Class B) fires — yet the field is being reshaped by the phase-out of PFAS “forever chemicals” and by tightening testing and compliance requirements. This technical session traces foam from its protein-foam origins through the rise of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) and explains why foam is still irreplaceable even as its chemistry changes.

The session examines:

The regulatory wave now redefining the industry: the EU’s phased PFAS bans, the U.S. federal-and-state patchwork (with a focused look at New England), and the military and aviation pivot to fluorine-free foam (F3) under MIL-PRF-32725.
Where foam systems are installed and the common, preventable ways they fails: proportioning drift, concentrate degradation, hardware faults, and botched AFFF-to-F3 retrofits
How modern testing keeps building owners in compliance now that discharging PFAS foam to test is costly liability event. The presentation details no-discharge and grab-sample verification methods, the proportioning hardware that makes them possible, and the monitoring and documentation tools that turn compliance from an annual scramble into a continuous, auditable process.

Sponsorship Opportunity: Consider becoming a drink sponsor for the networking session (register as part of the event).

3:00 - 4:30 PM: Board of Directors Meeting (Members Welcome)

4:30 - 5:00 PM: Registration & Cocktails

5:00 - 6:00 PM: Dinner and Program

6:00 - 7:00 PM: Cocktails and Networking

Dinner: Chef’s Choice Buffet including soup, two salads, two entrées, starch, vegetable, dessert display, coffee, and tea. Please email program@sfpe-newengland.org with any dietary restrictions.

About the Speaker:

Dan Olecki, PE is Director of Engineering at Veridity Fire, where he leads product development, systems application, and product compliance. With 15 years in fire protection, he holds PE licenses in several states and specializes in special hazards fire suppression systems. He is a member of SFPE, NFPA, FSSA, and sub committees addressing the most current issues. He can be reached at dolecki@veridityfire.com.

Veridity Fire is a fire protection group specializing in the design, inspection, testing, and compliance of special hazard fire-suppression systems. Founded in 2000 and based in Lenexa, KS, the company serves aviation, petrochemical, waste space, energy production and storage, advanced manufacturing, and everything in between across the globe. Its team holds a PE, numerous NICET certifications, and technicians located across the country to help building owners meet NFPA 11, NFPA 25, and NFPA 72 inspection, testing, and maintenance requirements while navigating the transition away from PFAS-based foams. With groups rooted in manufacturing, design, and installation, Veridity is committed to sustainable, green solutions to suppress fires responsibly. Learn more at veridityfire.com.

New England Chapter of the SFPE upcoming events

Firefighting Foam - History, Relevance, & the Compliance Reckoning (October 07, 2026)