Foam & Nozzles

Class A Foam Training Available...

Awareness and
Operations Training
In-Depth Education
Current Applications
Attack Strategies
Proportioning Tools
Application Devices
Training Aspects
Environmental Concerns
 Foam Terminology
Foam Concentrate
As purchased from the manufacturer.
Must be proportioned in water.
Foam Solution
Foam concentrate proportioned with water
Prior to the addition of air and mechanical agitation.
Finished Foam
Foam solution after air and mechanical agitation is added.
Quantity will vary, dependent upon how much air is added.
Quality will be dependent on type of concentrate used, and
type of aspiration method used.
 Basic Foam Making

Foam Concentrate
+ Water
+ Air
+ Mechanical
Agitation
= FOAM
 6% Foam Solution (Class B)

6%
6 gallons
6% foam
concentrate
+
94 gallons water

= 100 gallons 6% foam solution

 3% Foam Solution (Class B)

3%
3 gallons
3% foam
concentrate
+
97 gallons water

= 100 gallons 3% foam solution

 0.5% Foam Solution (Class A)

0.1-1%

0.5 gallons
0.1% - 1% foam
concentrate
+
99.5 gallons water

= 100 gallons 0.5% foam solution

 Foam Concentrates...
Class A
For Class A Combustibles
0.1% - 1.0%
AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam)
For Class B Hydrocarbon Flammables
1% ; 3%; 6%
AR-AFFF (Alcohol Resistant - Aqueous Film Forming
Foam)
For Class B Hydrocarbon & Polar Solvent Flammables
(1% x 3%) (3% x 3%) (3% x 6%)
 Foam Concentrates...

Protein
For Class B Hydrocarbon Flammables
3%; 6%
Fluoroprotein
For Class B Hydrocarbon Flammables
3%; 6%
FFFP (Film Forming Fluoroprotein)
For Class B Hydrocarbon Flammables
3%; 6%
 Foam Concentrates...
Syndet - High Expansion
For Quickly Filling Enclosed Areas
For LNG Suppression (Liquefied Natural Gas)

HazMat Foam
Vapor Suppression for Fuming Chemicals
 For All Foam Concentrates...

Determine what fuel/hazard is involved

Use appropriate concentrate for the hazard
Read manufacturer’s recommendations for proper use
Refer to MSDS sheet for safety information
Understand the environmental concerns
Pre-plan with waste-water treatment facilities
Refer to NFPA 11 guidelines for application rates
 Batch Mixing

Simple
Economical
Apparatus Water Tank
Portable Tank
Foam at All Discharges
Not Easily Adjusted
Increased Maintenance of Pumps, Tanks, Valves
 Around the Pump Proportioner

Higher Flows
Foam to All Discharges
Normal Pump Pressures
Higher Cost
Operator Must Know Flow
Inlet Pressure Limitations
Typically Installed by Manufacturer
Increased Maintenance of Pumps, Tanks, Valves
 Discharge Side Proportioner

No Foam in Pump or Water Tank

Automatic Systems Available
Increased Accuracy for Class A Foams
Dual Agent Capabilities
Simpler Operation
Normal Pump Pressures
Works with Most Nozzles
Higher Initial Cost
 Inline or Bypass Eductor

Simple Design
Few Moving Parts
Most Common
Relatively Economical
Nozzle Limitations
Pressure Minimums
Hose Line Limitations
Typical Foam Eductor Design
 Operational Considerations
Foam Eductor
200 psi Inlet 70 psi Eductor 130 psi Outlet
Pressure Loss Pressure

200 psi Inlet Pressure 100 psi Nozzle

- 70 psi Eductor Loss Pressure (typical)
130 psi Outlet Pressure
-100 psi Nozzle Pressure
Clean Metering Valve &
30 psi Hoseline Friction
Loss Allowance Check Ball after EVERY use.
 Maximum Hose Length on
Eductor Outlet
Eductor Flow Hose Size Max. Length Friction Loss
60 GPM 1 ½” 300 Ft. 26 psi
60 GPM 1 ¾” 450 Ft. 25 psi
95 GPM 1 ½” 150 Ft. 30 psi
95 GPM 1 ¾” 200 Ft. 28 psi
125 GPM 1 ¾” 100 Ft. 24 psi
• Shown for 100 psi nozzle.
• Lower nozzle pressure = Increased maximum length
• May vary depending on eductor, hose and nozzle
 Using Foam Eductors...
Follow eductor manufacturer’s recommendations for
pump pressure, hose size and hose length
Nozzle flow rating must match eductor flow rating
Automatic nozzle will adjust itself to eductor flow rating
Nozzle must be fully open
Avoid kinking of hose line
Mix ratio setting on eductor must match that of the foam
concentrate being used
Elevation loss must be calculated, if nozzle is elevated
Check for plugged or damaged pick up tube on eductor
 Foam Expansion Methods
Without Foam Attachments

Low Expansion
Typical Expansion 4 - 8 to 1
 Foam Expansion Methods
With Foam Attachments

Low Expansion
Typical Expansion 8 - 10 to 1

Medium Expansion
Typical Expansion 20+ to 1
 Foam Capable?
“Our department has an eductor,
foam nozzle, and 15 gallons of
foam on the truck, so we can
handle liquid fires, too.
...Or can we?”
Let’s look at the facts...
 NFPA # 11
For ignited spills of shallow depth
Hydrocarbon fuels:
 Rule of thumb: Eductor flow rate x 10 = sq. ft. of
ignited hydrocarbon spill area
Example: 95 GPM x 10 = 950 ft2
 0.1 GPM foam solution /ft2 (AFFF or FFFP)
 15 minutes of continuous foam application
95 GPM Eductor
42.75 gals. of 3% Foam Concentrate
1382.25 gals. of Water
1425 gals. of Foam Solution
 NFPA # 11
For ignited spills of shallow depth
Polar Solvent (alcohol type) fuels:
 Rule of thumb: Eductor flow rate x 5 = sq. ft. of
ignited polar solvent spill area
Example: 95 GPM x 5 = 475 ft2
 0.2 GPM foam solution /ft2
 15 minutes of continuous foam application
95 GPM Eductor
85.5 gals. of 6% AR Foam Concentrate
1339.5 gals. of Water
1425 gals. of Foam Solution
 Master Foam Streams
Foam Concentrate Usage

Water Foam Foam Foam Conc.

Flow Conc. % Conc. Flow Usage 15 min.
350 GPM 3% 10.5 GPM 157.5 gal.
350 GPM 6% 21.0 GPM 315 gal.
500 GPM 3% 15.0 GPM 225 gal.
750 GPM 3% 22.5 GPM 337.5 gal.
1000 GPM 3% 30.0 GPM 450 gal.