When is a finished mechanical foam created?

A finished mechanical foam is created after air is introduced into the foam solution. This process involves the combination of a foam concentrate with water to create a foam solution, followed by the introduction of air to generate the actual foam. The air bubbles are what give mechanical foam its structure and firefighting capabilities, allowing it to expand and flow in a manner that blankets and suppresses fire.

When the foam solution is simply stored, it has not yet been transformed into a finished foam. Prior to leaving the storage tank or during the mixing process, the solution may exist, but it does not achieve its effective firefighting properties until the critical step of air introduction occurs. This step is essential for the foam to perform its intended function in extinguishing fires by smothering and cooling.