Compressed air foam system
![A fire engine using CAFS to make foam on the ground](/Images/godic/202501/05/Water_Tender_CAFS_demo4331.jpg")
![A CAFS tanker of the Australian Capital Territory Fire Brigade](/Images/godic/202501/05/ACTFB_CAFS-C734332.jpg")
A compressed air foam system (CAFS) is used in firefighting to deliver fire retardant foam for the purpose of extinguishing a fire or protecting unburned areas.
Typical components include a water source, a centrifugal pump, foam concentrate tanks, a direct-injection foam proportioning system on the discharge side of the pump, a mixing chamber or device, a rotary air compressor, and control systems to ensure the correct mixes of concentrate, water, and air.