COMMON QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS REGARDING THERMO-GEL

Common Questions and Answers about Thermo-Gel

Q: What is Thermo-Gel?

A: Thermo-Gel is a gel concentrate that when added to water, transforms the water into a fire preventing and heat absorbing gel. The gel adheres to any kind of surface. Even to vertical window panes and forms a protective layer of gel that cools and protects objects from heating, charring and flame impingement.
The gel can also be used to bring fires under control more quickly. Water and time savings of up to 50% are possible.

Questions Relating to Structure/Home Protection

Q:What can be protected with Thermo-Gel?

A:Thermo-Gel will protect any surface including homes, sheds, shrubs, trees, windows, cladding, cars, machinery, fuel and LPG tanks, fence lines and power poles etc.

Q: Does Thermo-Gel cause damage to my home

A: Thermo-Gel is an environmentally compatible, non agressive gel, consisting of 98% water, a small portion of surfactants and the gelating agent which is a super absorbent polymer, similar to those used in disposable nappies.
Thermo-Gel is not agressive to paint, wood, glass, stone or concrete. Due to the high water content direct exposure to electricity should be avoided in order to reduce the risk of short circuits.

Q: How much do I need for my house?

A: 4ltr of Thermo-Gel, per 200ltr of water at 2% dilution will cover 95 square metres.

Q: How much do I need to create a fire lane/containment line?

A: one 20ltr container of Thermo-Gel at 2% dilution will cover an area of approximately 465 square metres.
At 1% dilution the same amount will cover 950 square metres.

Questions Relating to Fire Fighting

Q: Can Thermo-Gel be used to extinguish fires?

A: Thermo-Gel is very effective in fighting "A Class" fires. It can knock down fires in minimum time with a minimum amount of water. It also minimizes the risk of re-kindling, even when very critical combustibles are burning.

This is especially effective during 'blacking out', to ensure no re-ignition in hours or days to come.

Q: Can Thermo-Gel be used to extinguish liquid combustibles like petrol or diesel?

A: NO. Thermo-Gel is a "A Class" fire supressent. It works perfectly on solids, but "B Class" pool fires cannot be fought with Thermo-Gel. It is possible however to protect fuel tanks and similar items from fire by applying a gel coating on the surface providing insulation and effectively preventing ignition.

Q: Is Thermo-Gel easy to clean up?

A: YES. Thermo-Gel can be washed off with a strong jet of water pressure. In case of stubborn residues or large amounts of gel, treatment with regular household salt will speed up the breakdown process.

Questions Relating To Application Equipment

Q: How is Thermo-Gel applied and where do I get the equipment?

A: It can be applied with the nozzle/enductor supplied with the home protection kit. Equipment for use with the 20ltr containers and commercial equipment or systems is available from Safety and Fire Equipment on03 6272 9800 or email on martin@safetyandfire.com.au

Q: Can I dilute Thermo-Gel inside the container with Water?

A: NO. This is not possible. Care must be takenthat no water gets into the container as it will immediately form gel and block the system.

Q:Can Thermo-Gel be added to a secondary foam tank on fire appliances?

A: YES. It must be clean and free of water. Care must be taken that the plumbing and metering devices are free of water before it is injected.

Q: Can Thermo-Gel be mixed with fire fighting foams?

NO. Thermo-Gel cannot be mixed with "A Class" foam concentrates due to the high water content of the foam. This woould lead to uncontolled gelation in the reseroir before the product can be used.

Q: Can the product be used with very hard water?

YES. It can, but the percentages will have to be increased due to the loss of effectiveness with hard water. We have extensive experience proportioning Thermo-Gel in a range of situations and we can advise you on this.

Q: Does Thermo-Gel require any special handling?

A: Thermo-Gel is very slippery on hard surfaces - please use caution.

Q: How far can I project the Gel? Does it behave similar to foam?

A: When the same water pressure is applied the projection distance is at least equal to water. Foam cannot be projected as far as Thermo-Gel and Thermo-Gel has a substantially longer effective operational life than foam.

Questions Relating To Storage

Q: How long can I store Thermo-Gel?

A: The Gel is guaranteed for (3) three years after the date of purchase, although, if agitated every 6 months, the product will last for 7 to 8 years.

Q: Can I store Thermo-Gel in any container?

A: Some metals can be effected by the concentrate, high grade steel and aluminium are fine. Plastic materials should be plasticizer free (no Styrofoam), HD-PE and polyester resins are fine. We recommend the product be stored in its original container.

Q: Are there any specific requirements for storage?

A: Thermo-Gel should be stored above freezing and ideally below 40degC. It preferably should be stored out of direct UV exposure even though the totes are constructed from UV blocking plastic, long term storage should be under cover. Containers must always be tightly closed.

Questions Relating To The Environment

Q: What happens to plants protected with Thermo-Gel?

A: We have not observed any long term damage to plants in recent years. The gel on the foliage can cause spotson the leaves due to the tendency of the gel to absorb misture. At a very heavy coverage over some days and under drought conditions (depending on plant type) can cause drying effect on leaves, this effect is only temporary and the plant will recover quickly.

Q: What happens when Thermo-Gel gets in the soil?

A: The gel will only enter the top layer of the soil. There is no possibility of leaching. It is similar to the products used for soil conditioning in nurseries and erosion control.

Q: Will Thermo-Gel persist in the environment

A: Thermo-Gel is a water/oil emulsion containing a polymer. The main constitution of the oil phase is a fatty acid ester of biological origin. The oil phase is readily biodegradable while the remaining polymer is expected to degrade in time. This is reflected in biodegrading studies that were carried out with similar polymers.

Recent studies demonstrated that polymers of this type are biodegradable by white rot fungus in soil. The process is at a slow but constant rate. The polymers are solubilized, incorperated in the fungus mycelia and mineralized. The constitutes of the polymer will enter into the natural carbon and nitrogen cycle. No toxic metabolites have been identified.