Replace Your Legacy Systems by July 2025
From July 2025, PFOA-containing foams, commonly found in legacy fire suppression equipment, will be banned across the UK and EU due to growing concerns about their contamination of groundwater during manufacturing and use.
Who Will be Affected?
If you use a PFAS or AFFF system, you’ll be affected. This is because they are PFOA-containing foams. These are just some of the industries impacted:
- Waste and recycling centres, especially those handling paper, plastics, hazardous waste and other combustible materials.
- Energy-from-waste plants, which rely heavily on fire suppression systems like AFFF to tackle high-intensity fuel fires.
- Landfill sites and industrial storage yards, where rapid-response foam systems are deployed to tackle deep-seated fires in waste materials
What Will Happen If I Don’t Upgrade?
Companies that fail to upgrade risk losing fire safety certification, facing fines, and struggling with insurance renewals.
With more bans and tighter regulations coming in the next five years, now is the time to look to fluorine-free foam fire suppression systems, to be ready for any further phasing out of PFAS.
How Does Updating Your Fire Suppression System Work?
1. System Audit
3. Safe Decommissioning & Disposal
2. Choose a PFAS-Free Alternative
4. Installation & Compliance Support
The Industry Leader in Fire Suppression System Upgrades
Fire Shield Systems provides industry-leading fire shield system upgrades to thousands of businesses across the UK and Europe. We’ve always been ahead of the curve, transitioning businesses to PFAS-free solutions for years.
Regulatory Compliance
With upcoming PFAS restrictions in the UK, EU, and other regions, switching means long-term compliance and avoiding a costly cleanup.
Reduced Groundwater Contamination
PFAS chemicals, often called “forever chemicals”, persist in the environment and contaminate water sources. PFAS-free alternatives eliminate this risk.
Proven Performance
Modern PFAS-free foams meet performance standards for fire suppression, ensuring safety without compromising effectiveness
Lower Toxicity
PFAS-free foams break down more easily and are less harmful to ecosystems and wildlife.
Safer for Firefighters
A PFAS-free system reduces the risk of firefighters inhaling or coming into contact with harmful chemicals.
What’s Changing in Fire Suppression Regulations?
PFOA Foam Ban – July 2025: From this date, it will be illegal to use, refill, or maintain fire suppression systems containing PFOA-based foams
PFAS Under Review for Full Ban: The UK & EU are considering a complete ban on all PFAS-based foams by 2030
Non-Compliance Risks: Companies that fail to upgrade may lose fire safety certification, face fines, or struggle with insurance renewals.
Waste & Recycling Sites at Risk – These facilities face high regulatory scrutiny due to the risk of PFAS contamination in water runoff.
How Do I Transition to a PFAS-Free Fire Suppression System?
At Fire Shield Systems, we help businesses make this transition smoothly and efficiently. We’ll assess your current setup, develop a tailored transition plan, and ensure your premises are upgraded with a fully compliant, high-performance solution. The easiest way to transition is to give one of our team a call on 0800 975 5767, or fill in our contact form.
FAQs
What are PFAS?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of human-made chemicals used in firefighting foams, water-resistant coatings, and other industrial applications. Up until 2025, they have been widely used in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) as an effective choice for Class B fires.
PFAS are known as “forever chemicals” as they don’t break down naturally and can contaminate groundwater, drinking water, and soil.
Because of this, there have been worldwide efforts to move away from them and adopt fluorine-free foams (F3)
What’s Changing in Fire Suppression Regulations?
PFOA Foam Ban – July 2025: From this date, it will be illegal to use, refill, or maintain fire suppression systems containing PFOA-based foams.
PFAS Under Review for Full Ban: The UK & EU are considering a complete ban on all PFAS-based foams by 2030.
Non-Compliance Risks: Companies that fail to upgrade may lose fire safety certification, face fines, or struggle with insurance renewals.
Waste & Recycling Sites at Risk – These facilities face high regulatory scrutiny due to the risk of PFAS contamination in water runoff.
How do I Transition to a PFAS-Free Fire Suppression System?
At Fire Shield Systems, we help businesses make this transition smoothly and efficiently. We’ll assess your current setup, develop a tailored transition plan, and ensure your premises are upgraded with a fully compliant, high-performance solution.
Contact us
Do you own or operate a business that needs fire protection?
Call us today on 0800 975 5767, or fill in our contact form, to speak with a member of our team.
Setting The Standard For Fire Protection Systems
