How do I prevent the PFAS rebound effect after cleaning?

The PFAS rebound effect is the phenomenon where PFAS fluoropolymers that have penetrated deep into the pores of the tank wall or pipework slowly 'sweat' out again after cleaning. You can only prevent this by opting for specialist chemical-thermal cleaning. At ROMARCO NV, we circulate our additive PFAS Clean at elevated temperatures through the hydraulic circuit. This thermal circulation ensures a kinetic and chemical detachment of the stubborn boundary layer. Following cleaning, we guarantee quality through independent analysis. Only when the accredited laboratory proves in black and white that residual concentrations are definitively below critical threshold limits is the risk of rebound eliminated.

Why can I not pour PFAS-free foam directly into an old tank?

If you pour new, PFAS-free firefighting foam directly into an uncleaned installation, cross-contamination occurs immediately. The remaining PFAS residues dissolve straight into your new foam concentrate. Consequently, the entire new foam supply is immediately classified as PFAS-containing. This is a costly mistake, as legislation will eventually ban its use completely, and you will have to dispose of and destroy the entire tank contents once again. Thorough prior deep cleaning is therefore an absolute necessity.

How much does it cost to dispose of and process PFAS-containing firefighting foam?

Emptying and environmentally sound decontamination of an installation involves various fixed and variable components. Because the firefighting foam and contaminated rinse water are strictly classified as hazardous waste, specific rates apply for transport and disposal at an accredited waste treatment facility. These rates depend on the type of PFAS firefighting foam present in your system. Please contact us for further details.

How is a foam fire suppression system certified after a foam transition?

The original system approval of your installation (such as a UL or FM Approval) is legally linked to the specific, legacy foam agent. By transitioning to a PFAS-free alternative, this certificate formally lapses. Statutory recertification must follow these mandatory steps: Chemical clearance: ROMARCO NV provides the official, independent analysis report demonstrating that the installation is chemically neutral and pure. Mechanical adaptation: your certified installation partner carries out the necessary hardware calibrations (such as recalculating nozzles or adjusting proportioners to the higher viscosity of the new foam). Statutory re-inspection: the installer conducts hydrostatic testing and delivers a new certificate of completion based on factory testing (for example via an ANPI Fire System inspection). Only after this formal approval may the fire suppression system be returned to automatic mode.

PFAS-free without rebound effect

PFAS firefighting foam cleaning & transition

We render your firefighting foam installation chemically neutral and PFAS-free — ready for fluorine-free firefighting foam.

The PFAS firefighting foam transition: why chemical expertise makes the difference

European legislation leaves no room for doubt: the transition to fluorine-free firefighting foam is underway. However, making a firefighting foam installation PFAS-free is not simply a matter of pumping it out and refilling it. PFAS fluoropolymers adhere stubbornly to the interior of tank walls and pipework (the so-called boundary layer).

Without the correct approach, the rebound effect occurs: over time, the PFAS 'sweats' back out of the pores of the metal, resulting in immediate recontamination and a rejected system.

At ROMARCO NV, chemical-technical cleaning is in our DNA. Where conventional fire protection companies or installers lack the specific expertise to chemically break down this stubborn industrial contamination, our speciality begins.

By engaging directly with ROMARCO NV, you choose the absolute expert at the source. We handle the chemical decontamination, after which your or our installation partner can immediately proceed with the mechanical calibration.

Our unique 3-step method: the "PFAS Clean" protocol

01 /

Mechanical extraction & complete capture

We extract the existing PFAS-containing extinguishing agent from your systems in a controlled and safe manner. To eliminate any environmental risk, the medium is immediately captured in dedicated receptacles.

02 /

Chemical-thermal cleaning with PFAS Clean

This is where we make the difference. Using specially equipped, temporary dedicated pump units, we bring our additive PFAS Clean up to temperature. This thermal circulation ensures a kinetic and chemical detachment of the PFAS residues that have adhered to the interior of the pipe walls.

03 /

Independent laboratory testing against the rebound effect

For us, clean is only truly clean when proven in black and white. Following cleaning, independent technicians take samples at strategic, critical points within your installation. These samples are sealed and transferred to an accredited environmental laboratory for comprehensive analysis.

Only when this screening method objectively demonstrates that all PFAS rebound levels are below the legally permitted thresholds is our work complete. This official analysis report provides conclusive proof that the installation is chemically pure and ready for recommissioning.

Seamless handover to your installation partner

Once ROMARCO NV has certified the tank and pipework as chemically neutral and PFAS-free, the focus shifts to the mechanical and operational commissioning. Because fluorine-free firefighting foam has a different viscosity and behaves differently physically, we work closely with your or our certified installer:

System filling & engineering: we hand over a perfectly cleaned installation. The installation partner can then hydrostatically test the new foam-fill circuit and physically calibrate the proportioners or foam pumps to the new foam.

Statutory recertification: armed with our successful analysis report, the installer has the perfect foundation to smoothly pass statutory recertification (for example via the ANPI fire system approval). Only then can the system be safely recommissioned.

"Replacing PFAS without chemical deep cleaning is a waste of capital."

The rebound effect recontaminates your new foam, resulting in immediate rejection.

Prevent the rebound effect – Start your PFAS transition +32 (0) 52 44 86 94