Relative corrosivity of currently approved wildland fire chemicals

Abstract

From the early stages of the development of chemicals for wildland fire control, damage from fire retardant corrosion was recognized as a serious problem. Extensive damage was done to equipment used in the handling, mixing, storing, and delivery of retardants (Davis and Phillips 1965; USDA FS 1964a). Corrosion-related damage, especially to aircraft, creates unsafe conditions. Preventing this damage reduces the potential risk of injury and death; moreover, everyone benefits from reduced expenditures for equipment repair and replacement.