IMPORTANCE OF FOAM PROTECTION FOR

TANK FARM STORING FLAMMABLE LIQUID

For each class of fire there is a particular extinguishing media which is most appropriate or suitable.
e.g .for class A fire – water is best fire extinguishing media and it is used for most fire fighting
incidents.

However, water generally ineffective against fires involving flammable liquids because water density
is greater than most of flammable liquids, so when applied, it quickly sinks below their surfaces,
often without having any significant effect on fire. If used it will result in slopover or fuel overflow.

HOW FOAM EXTINGUISHES FIRE

Foam being lighter than all liquid fuels it floats on their surfaces.
Foam blanket helps knockdown and extinguish fire in the following ways:

• By excluding air (Oxygen) from the fuel surface.

• By separating the flames from the fuel surface.
• By restricting the release of flammable vapour from the surface of the fuel
• By forming a radiant heat barrier which can help to reduce heat feedback from flames to the fuel
and hence reduce the production of flammable vapour
• By cooling the fuel surface and any metal surfaces as the foam solution drains out of the foam
blanket. This process also produces steam, which dilutes the oxygen around the fire.

So foam is the ultimate choice and must for tank farm protection containing flammable liquids.

For flammable liquids which are grouped under class B fires, dual extinguishing media is
recommended i.e. powder for initial rapid extinguishment by flame knockdown (powder has ability
to extinguish three dimensional fire) followed by foam application for secured sealing.

DESIGN PARAMETERS:

• Water Supply: Adequate quantity of suitable quality.

• Foam Concentrate: Right quality of foam and time of application.
• Suitable Proportioning and Discharge Equipment: Choose as per the requirement.
• Piping Systems: Properly designed.

Water:

- It may be hard/soft/fresh/salts, but quality shall be such that it should not affect foam
formation/stability.
- Quantity shall be adequate to supply all devices that may be used simultaneously i.e. for foam
application and also for other fire fighting operations.

- Adequate pressure must be available at inlet of foam making equipment for proper quality of
foam.

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Foam Quantity:

Sufficient for largest single hazard or group of hazards to be protected, simultaneously. Further
equal quantity as reserve supply be maintained.

Application Rate:

The application rate of foam on to a fire is normally expressed as the amount of foam solution, in
litre/min to be applied to every sq.meter of total area to be covered with foam.

Various terms are use to describe foam application rate

Critical application rate – Rate below which a fire cannot be extinguished.

Recommended minimum application rate – Rate at which foam solution is recommended to be

applied i.e. Critical Application Rate with an additional Safety Margin to account for variation in
quality of Foam Concentrate, quantity of finished foam produced, detrimental effects of forceful
application.

Optimum application rate - Minimum overall quantity of foam solution needed to extinguish fire.

Over kill rate - Rates of application more than required to extinguish fire. This does not give any
improvement in extinction but results in wastage of resources.

Continued application rate - Foam application is continued after fire is extinguished to maintain
integrity of foam blanket. These are generally 50% of Minimum Application Rate.

Minimum Application Rates of Foam Solution for the production of Low Expansion Foam for use on
Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuel (Class B) Fires
Foam Type Minimum Application Rate Minimum Application Rate
of Foam Solution (lpm/m2) (Minutes)
-------------------------------- ----------------------------------
Spill/Bund Tanks Tanks Tanks Spill Tanks Tanks
D<45m D>=45m D>=81m Fuel Fuel
D<81m Flashpoint Flashpoint
>40°C <=40°C/
Bund

Protein 6.5 NR NR NR 15 NR NR
Fluoroprotein 5 8.0 9.0 10.0 15 45 60
AFFF 4 6.5 7.3 8.1 15 45 60
FFFP 4 6.5 7.3 8.1 15 45 60
AFFF-AR 4 6.5 7.3 8.1 15 45 60
FFFP-AR 4 6.5 7.3 8.1 15 45 60

Notes:
< less than <= less than or equal to
> more than >= more than or equal to
D Diameter of tank lpm/m2 litres per minute of foam solution per sq. mtr of
m metre burning area of fire
NR Not Recommended for this use.
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PROPORTIONING EQUIPMENT’S ARE OF VARIOUS TYPES:

Positive displacement pump

Foam nozzle with inductor
Inline inductor
Metered proportioning by FC pump
Pressure proportioning tank
Around the pump proportioner.

PIPING SYSTEM DESIGN:

Pipes, fittings and valves shall be steel or alloys suitable for pressure and temperature.

It should have strainer and also drain.

Piping shall not pass over another hazard in the same fire area.

Sizer shall be selected to provide proper delivery rate and pressure at discharge outlet.

FOAMS
Proteinous Types

Protein Foam (PF)

Fluoroprotein Foam (FPF)

Film Forming Fluoroprotein (FFFP)

Film Forming Fluoroprotein-Alcohol Resistance. (AR-FFFP)

Synthetic types

High Expansion Foam (HEF)

Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF)

Aqueous Film Forming Foam-Alcohol Resistance (AR-AFFF)

If you are using AFFF type, then preference be given to UL listed foam, because it has strong thermal
stability,( greater heat resistance) so it is more stable in large fires.

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COMPARISON BETWEEN FIRE TEST PARAMETERS OF ISI AND UL LISTED FOAM

ISI UL
FUEL LOAD 30 Ltrs 243 Ltrs

PREBURN TIME 30 secs 60 Secs

RATE OF APPLICATION 7.5 LPM 7.5 LPM

AREA 2.6 sq. mtr 4.65 sq. mtr

METHOD OF APPLICATION Gentle Forceful

EXTINGUISHMENT TIME 1 min 3 min

TORCH TEST Does not exist 1 min / 9th min

BURNBACK RESISTANCE Does not exist 14 min

(POT METHOD)

If using Proteinous type, prefer universal Film Forming Fluoroprotein-Alcohol resistance which
combines heat stability of Protein and film forming ability of Aqueous Film Forming Foam and
further it is universal in application against all flammable liquids both Hydro-Carbon and Polar .

Present trend world over is FILM FORMING FLUOROPROTEIN-ALCOHOL RESISTANCE.

FOAM SYSTEM:

Foam protection system can be of different types viz

Fixed System : Complete installation is piped from foam station to protection point.

Semifixed System: Discharge outlets are fixed and they terminate at a safe point where foam
Solution is fed. Alternately foam solution are piped and delivered
through hoselines to portable foam making equipment.

Mobile systems: Where all components are mounted on wheel.

Portable systems: Where all components are transported by hand.

FOAM MONITORS:
They are recommended as auxiliary protection in conjunction with fixed system.

Foam Monitors are larger version of Foam Making Branch Pipes, which cannot be hand held. They
may be free standing and portable, mounted on trailer or mounted on appliances. They usually have
multiple water connections and may be self-inducing or used in conjection with one of the induction
method.

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They can also be found in fixed installation in Oil tanker jetties and Refineries or as oscillating
monitor in aircraft hangers. They are also fitted on foam tenders. There are numerous models in use
with wide range of nominal flow and inlet pressure requirements.

Foam monitors nozzles shall not be considered as the primary means of protection for fixed roof tank
over 60 ft. (18 mt).

AUTOMATIC FOAM SYSTEM :

The auto foam system is self contained and provides fully automatic fire detection and activation
specially designed for Rim Seal Protection of floating roof tanks.

It does not required external power or electricity to make the system operative, so it can be used in
remote areas.

It is designed for quick detection and rapid flame suppression with environment friendly foam as fire
suppression media.

The auto foam system is acceptable replacement to Halon systems mounted on floating roof tank.

OPERATION :

Auto Foam system has two integral parts.

1. Quick detection of fire anywhere in the rim seal area with the help of detection tubing.

2. Efficient discharge of AFFF 3% foam for rapid flame suppressing.

Detection tubing pressurized with nitrogen is laid along the rim seal just over the primary seal. The
foam discharge nozzle is well positioned between primary seal and weather shield. The discharge
piping is kept under nitrogen pressure. After the tube ruptures in case of fire, resulting in foam
discharge between primary and secondary seals. The specially designed Auto Foam nozzles are
located just above the primary seal, and the discharge time of foam is Maximum 35 seconds.

UTILITY:

In unmanned area it provides round the clock protection.

It help check fire immediately before it spreads out.

UPKEEP AND MAINTENANCE:

Any system/ component shall be truly useful in times of crisis provided it is maintained properly, so

to ensure that system function/perform as intended.

1) Maintenance plan be devised.

2) Periodic trials be conducted.

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3) Designed parameters be checked up.

4) Log book be maintained.

5) Responsibility be fixed up.

6) Painting / Polishing / Calibrating be taken up on regular basis.

PERIODIC INSPECTION

At least annually, all foam systems shall be thoroughly inspected and checked for proper operation.
The inspection shall include performance evaluation of the foam concentrate or premix solution
quality or both. Test results that deviate more than 10 percent from those recorded in acceptance
testing shall be discussed immediately with the manufacturer. Regular service contracts are
recommended. The goal of this inspection and testing shall be to ensure that the system is in full
operating condition and that it remains in that condition until the next inspection. The inspection
report, with recommendations, shall be filed with the owner. Between the regular service contract
inspections or tests, the system shall be inspected by competent personnel following an approved
schedule.

FOAM PRODUCING EQUIPMENT - Proportioning devices, their accessory equipment, and foam
makers shall be inspected.

Fixed discharge outlets equipped with frangible seals shall be provided with suitable inspection
means to permit proper maintenance and for inspection and replacement of vapour seals.

PIPING - Aboveground piping shall be examined to determine its condition and to verify that
proper drainage pitch is maintained. Pressure tests of normally dry piping shall be made when visual
inspection indicates questionable strength due to corrosion or mechanical damage. Underground
piping shall be spot-checked for deterioration at least every 5 years.

STRAINERS - Strainers shall be inspected periodically and shall be cleaned after each use and flow
test.

DETECTION AND ACTUATION EQUIPMENT- Control valves, including all automatic and
manual-actuating devices, shall be tested at regular intervals.

FOAM CONCENTRATE INSPECTION – At least annually, an inspection shall be made of foam

concentrates and their tanks or storage containers for evidence of excessive sludging or deterioration.
Samples of concentrates shall be sent to the manufacturer or qualified laboratory for quality condition
testing. Quantity of concentrate in storage shall meet design requirements, and tanks or containers
shall normally be kept full with adequate space allowed for expansion.

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS AND TRAINING – Operating and maintenance instructions and

layouts shall be posted at control equipment with a second copy on file. All persons who are expected
to inspect, test, maintain, or operate foam-generating apparatus shall be thoroughly trained and
training shall be kept current over time.