What component provides the means to activate the AFFF system?

• A. Provides AFFF concentrate. Color is striped blue/red
• B. Proportions AFFF concentrate and seawater and routes it to sprinklers and hose reels. Color is striped Red/Green
• C. Provides means to activate the system
• D. Hycheck

Answer: (C)

Activation is provided by the component that starts the foam system flow. This activation device or control mechanism is what you use to initiate discharge—opening the valve and energizing the system so the AFFF concentrate can be drawn from its storage, metered with water, and sent to the sprinklers and hose reels. The other items describe supplying the concentrate (A), mixing and routing it to the outlets (B), or preventing backflow with a one-way valve (D). The essential idea is that without an activation means, the system won’t deploy foam, so the component whose job is to provide that activation capability is the correct choice.