What is the recommended action when cooling hot brakes with foam?

• A. Use foam for vapor suppression and continue cooling with water fog and fans.
• B. Direct a high-pressure jet of water from close range only.
• C. Use only dry chemical powder on the wheel.
• D. Ignore the vapor suppression.

Answer: (A)

When brakes are hot, use foam to create a vapor-suppressing blanket over the overheated area while you continue cooling with water fog and airflow. The foam reduces the release of flammable vapors and absorbs heat, helping to prevent reignition, and the fine water mist then aggressively removes heat from the brake components. Keep using water fog to absorb heat efficiently and fans to ventilate and move vapors away from the crew. Directing a high-pressure jet from close range can kick up steam and hot debris and doesn’t provide vapor suppression. Dry chemical powder on the wheel doesn’t cool effectively and can complicate braking systems. Ignoring vapor suppression leaves flammable vapors unchecked and increases exposure risk.