High & Medium-Expansion

Foam System Design

High & Medium Expansion
Foam Systems
Typical Areas Protected
 Basements  Ships Holds
 Enclosed Spaces  Power Stations
 Warehouse Storage  Cable Tunnels
 Aircraft Hangers  Mining Operations
In addition to protecting areas containing Class ‘A’ & ‘B’
material, High and Medium-Expansion Foam Systems
are used for vapor containment and suppression of low
boiling point gaseous products (LNG).
 Products That Should Not
Be Protected By
High or Medium-Expansion Foam
 Materials that produce sufficient oxygen to
sustain combustion by themselves ie. cellulose
nitrate
 Energized unclosed electrical equipment
 Water-reactive metals ie. sodium, titanium
 Hazardous water-reactive materials
ie. phosphorous pentoxide
 Liquid flammable gas (LPG)
 Beneficial Features
of Total Flooding
 Foam Acts as a vehicle to carry water around any
obstacle and deliver it to the source of the fire.

 Expanded foam will displace / encapsulate toxic or

flammable vapors, smoke and hot air currents, thus
diminishing the fire hazard.

 Expanded foam produces an exposure protecting

heat shield within the enclosed area.
Means of Extinguishment

 SUFFOCATION - Air supply will be cut-off or significantly

reduced, thus preventing continued combustion.
 INERTING - Water transported to the fire will be converted to
steam providing an inert atmosphere in the immediate vicinity
of the fire.
 COOLING - Water carried to the fire drains out of the foam
cooling the fire and immediate surrounding area.
 HIGH EXPANSION - Foam surrounding the hazard seeks and
extinguishes deep seated fires.
 LNG - On LNG fires in particular, foam reduces fire intensity by
blocking radiant feedback to the fuel source.
 Advantages of
High-Expansion
 Minimal water use and water damage due to the high
expansion of foam as compared to sprinkler systems.

 Foam solution generated acts as a wetting agent,

reducing the surface tension of the water, thus
enabling the drained solution to penetrate more
deeply into Class A combustibles.

 Good security due to substantial and stable foam

blanket.
 Disadvantages of
High-Expansion
 Personnel evacuation procedures should be
implemented prior to or simultaneously with the
system discharge due to the volume of foam causing
impaired vision, making hearing difficult and
creating some discomfort with breathing.

 Although only a limited amount of moisture is

present, it should be used with caution around
exposed electrical equipment and should not be
used if exposed high voltages are involved.
Generator Component
FOAM SCREEN

WATER REACTION MOTOR

BLOWER FAN
AIR
INLET

FOAM
SOLUTION
INLET

FOAM SOLUTION SPRAY

Total Flooding High-Expansion Foam System

HAZARD CLASSIFICATION
(Page 6)

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
(Page 6)

SPRINKLERED SUBMERGENCE TIME (T) NOT SPRINKLER

(Page 6) (Page 8) (Page 6)

DESIGN DENSITY OF CALCULATE

SPRINKLER SYSTEM SUBMERGENCE VOLUME (V)
(Page 6) (Page 7)

FOAM CALCULATE
BREAKDOWN RATE FOAM DISCHARGE RATE (R)
(Page 9) (Page 7)

CALCULATE FOAM QUANTITY

(Page 10 & 11)

COMPLETE BILL OF MATERIALS

 Design Information
for Total Flooding

 Hazard Classification - Product to be stored in the

protected area, such as Flammable Liquids, Low
Density Combustibles, etc. (See Table 1)
 Building Construction - Either as light or unprotected
steel construction or as heavy or protected or fire
resistive construction. This information determines
the submergence time as found on Table 1.
 Sprinklered / Not Sprinklered - If area is sprinklered,
the effect of the sprinkler system on foam breakdown
must be taken into account.
High-Expansion
Design Formula

R= ( T+ R )xC
V
S N x CL
R = minimum rate of foam discharge (cfm)
V = minimum submergence volume (cubic feet)
T = time to achieve submergence volume (min.)
RS = rate of foam breakdown by sprinklers (cfm)
CN = compensation for normal foam shrinkage (%)
CL = compensation for normal foam leakage (%)
 Minimum
Submergence Volume
V = Cubic Feet

 Submergence volume is the floor area of the hazard to be

protected, multiplied by the minimum fill depth.
 Minimum total depth of foam shall be not less than 1.1
times the height of the highest hazard, but in no case less
than 2 ft. over the hazard.
 e.g. If the hazard height is 12' high, then 12' x 1.1= 13.2',
but this is less than 2 feet over the hazard, therefore the
minimum fill depth must be 12' + 2' = 14'.
 Minimum
Submergence Volume
T = Minutes

Submergence time is based upon the following factors:

A. Hazard protected ( ie. flammable liquids)
B. Building Construction
C. Sprinklered or Not Sprinklered
Using the above information, refer to Table 1 for the
maximum allowable times for the specific hazard.
 Minimum Submergence Volume
T = Minutes CONTINUED

Light or Unprotected Heavy or Protected

Steel Construction or Fire Resistant
HAZARD Sprinklered Not Sprinklered Sprinklered Not Sprinklered
Flammable Liquids
[Flash Points below 3 minutes 2 minutes 5 minutes 3 minutes
100° F (38° C)]
having a vapor pressure
not exceeding 40 psia
Combustible Liquids
[Flash Points above 4 minutes 3 minutes 5 minutes 3 minutes
100° F (38° C)]
Low Density Combustibles
e.g. Foam Rubber, 4 minutes 3 minutes 6 minutes 4 minutes
Plastics, Rolled Tissue * *
Table per NFPA 11A 1994 edition. TABLE 1
 Foam Breakdown Rate
Due To Sprinklers
RS = Cubic Feet Per Minute
If area is protected by an automatic sprinkler system, the
amount of foam destroyed by the sprinkler's water discharge
must be compensated for.

Rs = S x Q
S = Foam breakdown in cubic feet per minute (cfm) per
gpm of sprinkler discharge. S shall be 10 cfm/gpm.
Q = Estimated total discharge from the maximum number
of sprinklers expected to operate. (ie. .30 gpm/sq. ft.
over 3,000 sq. ft. = 900 gpm)
 Compensation for
Foam Shrinkage
CN = %
This is an empirical number based on the average
expanded foam losses that can be expected due to
drainage, fire, wetting of surfaces, etc.

Unless otherwise specified, this factor shall be 1.15.

 Compensation for
Foam Leakage
CL = %
This is a compensation for the loss of foam due to leakage
around doors, windows and other unclosable openings
(vents).

For a totally sealed area, CL equals 1. However, this factor

could be as high as 1.2 for a building with all openings
normally closed depending on foam expansion, sprinkler
operation and foam depth. Most often, 1.2 is the factor used
for CL in the systems calculation.
Calculating Foam Quantity
For Total Flooding Systems

Once the minimum foam discharge rate (R)

has been calculated, then a foam generator
size can be chosen to determine the number
of generators required and quantity of foam
concentrate that is required.
 Calculating Foam Quantity
For Total Flooding Systems CONTINUED

HIGH EXPANSION GENERATORS TYPICAL DISCHARGE CHARACTERISTICS

Generator Foam Solution
Inlet Pressure Output Flow
GENERATOR ( psi ) ( cfm ) ( gpm ) Expansion
50 1140 30 275:1
JET-X-2 75 1770 38 340:1
100 2170 44 360:1
50 5700 61 700:1
JET-X-5A 75 7500 75 750:1
100 8000 87 685:1
50 13880 119 870:1
JET-X-15A(UL) 75 17410 145 900:1
100 19545 169 865:1
50 12985 105 925:1
JET-X-15A(FM) 75 17985 128 1050:1
00 17100 150 855:1
TABLE 2
 Calculating Foam Quantity
For Total Flooding Systems CONTINUED

Example:
Hazard area of 125' wide by 180' long and 30' high with a maximum storage
height of 25'. Building is light steel construction and is not sprinklered. Product
is high density combustibles (rolled paper,coated-unbanded)
Depth of foam required is 25' X 1.1 = 27.5'.
Note: Minimum of 2 feet over hazard is required.
Submergence volume is 125' X 180' X 27.5' or 618,750 cubic feet and the
submergence time per Table 1 is 4 minutes.
Light or Unprotected Heavy or Protected
Steel Construction or Fire Resistant
HAZARD Sprinklered Not Sprinklered Sprinklered Not Sprinklered
High Density
Combustibles 5 minutes 4 minutes 6 minutes 5 minutes
e.g. Rolled Paper * *
Kraft or Coated-Unbanded
 Calculating Foam Quantity
For Total Flooding Systems CONTINUED

R (Foam Discharge Rate) is calculated as: (618,750 cu. ft. ÷ 4 minutes)

x 1.15 shrinkage x 1.2 leakage
= 213,468.75 cfm
If the JET-X 15A (FM) generator is chosen, and assuming a minimum
of 75 psi is available at the generators...

Generator Foam Solution

Inlet Pressure Output Flow
GENERATOR ( psi ) ( cfm ) ( gpm ) Expansion
50 12985 105 925:1
JET-X-15A(FM) 75 17985 128 1050:1
100 17100 150 855:1

then: 213,468.75 cfm ÷ 17,985 cfm = 11.8 or 12 JET-X15A(FM)

Generators are required
 Calculating Foam Quantity
For Total Flooding Systems CONTINUED

Solution flow for the system is based upon the solution flow per generator and
the quantity of generators required.
The systems foam concentrate supply is based supplying foam for (1) continuous
operation of the system for 25 minutes or (2) sufficient supply to generate 4 times
the submergence volume, whichever is less, (3) but in no case less than than 15
minutes.
EXAMPLE:
1. 12 JET-X 15A(FM) x 128 gpm x 25 min. x 2.75% Proportioning = 1056 gallons
of JET-X Concentrate
2. 618,750 cu. ft.(V) x 4 = 2,475,000 cu. ft. ÷ 17,985 cfm JET-X 15A(FM) = 137.61
generators X 128 gpm x 2.75% Proportioning = 484.4 gallons of JET-X Concentrate
3. 12 JET-X 15A(FM) x 128 gpm x 15 min. x 2.75% Proportioning =
633.5 gal. of JET-X Concentrate
Local Application Systems

Local Application Systems are best suited for basically flat surfaces such as
confined spill, curbed area, pits, etc. When multi-level or three dimensional
hazards are protected with local application, some type of foam containment
must be provided.
Design criteria is to discharge sufficient expanded foam to cover the hazard
to a depth of 2 feet in two minutes.
For multi-level or three dimensional hazards, the design formula for total
flooding is used.
The system discharge duration shall be sufficient to supply at least
12 minutes duration.
 High-Expansion
Example System

HAZARD SPECIFICATIONS
Type of Product Combustible Liquids [Flash Point of 100 °F (38 °C) and
above] Palletized Drum Storage
Type of Building Light Steel Construction (125' wide 80' long x 20' high)
Sprinklered (.25 gpm/sq. ft. over 3,000 sq. ft.)
Maximum Storage Height 8 feet (two pallets high)

SYSTEM DESIGN
1. Hazard Classification (Page 6) - Combustible Liquids
2. Building Construction (Page 6) - Light Steel Construction.
3. Submergence Time (Page 8) - 4 Minutes (based upon the buildings light
steel construction and also that the area is sprinklered).
 High-Expansion
Example System CONTINUED

SYSTEM DESIGN (continued)

4. Calculate Submergence Volume (Page 7).
Maximum storage height is 8', therefore 8' x 1.1 = 8.8', but minimum of 2' over
hazard required, therefore fill depth is 8' + 2' = 10'.

125' Wide x 80' Long x 10' Depth = 100,000 cubic feet

5. Determine Density of Sprinkler System (Page 6) and Calculate Rs (Page 9).

Sprinkler system design is .25 gpm / sq. ft. over 3,000 sq.ft.,therefore;
.25 gpm/sq.ft. x 3,000 sq.ft. = 750 gpm
750 gpm x 10 cfm / gpm = 7,500 cfm (Rs)
6. Calculate Foam Discharge Rate (Page 7).
[ ( 100,000 cu. ft. ÷ 4 minutes ) + 7,500 cfm ]
x 1.15 shrinkage x 1.2 leakage = 44,850 cfm
 High-Expansion
Example System CONTINUED

SYSTEM DESIGN (continued)

7. Calculate Foam Quantity (Pages 10 & 11).
The system requires a minimum of 44,850 cfm of foam output, therefore a
generator needs to be chosen to allow for calculation of foam concentrate
quantity and to generate a bill of materials.
For this example, a JET-X15 is chosen with the assumption that 50 psi of
solution pressure will be available at each generator (@ 50 psi the foam
output is 13,535 cfm flowing 157 gpm of solution).
44,850 cfm ÷ 13,535 cfm = 3.3 or 4 JET-X15 Generators(rounded up to
next whole number)

Next, the calculations for foam quantity are done

High-Expansion
Example System CONTINUED

B. Twenty-five minute duration.

4 JET-X15 Generators
x 157 gpm per generator
= 628 gpm total flow rate
x 25 minute duration
= 15,700 gallons of foam solution
x .0275 (% concentrate)
= 432 gallons of JET-X Concentrate
High-Expansion
Example System CONTINUED

A. Four times the submergence volume.

100,000 cu.ft. x 4
= 400,000 cu.ft.
÷ 13,535 cfm per JET-X15 Generator
= 29.6 generator
x 157 gpm foam solution per generator
= 4,647.2 gallons of foam solution
x .0275 (% concentrate)
= 127.8 gallons of JET-X Concentrate
 High-Expansion
Example System CONTINUED

C. Fifteen minute duration.

4 JET-X15A(FM) Generators
x 157 gpm per generator
= 628 gpm total flow rate
x 15 minute duration
= 9,420 gallons of foam solution
x .0275 (% concentrate)
= 259 gallons of JET-X Concentrate
The quantity of foam concentrate for four times the submergence volume is
less than that which would be required for the 25 minute duration, but it is also
less than 15 minute duration, therefore the minimum quantity of concentrate
required for this system would be 259 gallons of JET-X Concentrate.
 High-Expansion
Example System CONTINUED

8. Compile Bill of Materials.

NOTICE
This is an example only. Selection of discharge device and
proportioning equipment will vary with each application. For detection
and control system requirements, contact Ansul Incorporated.
Quantity Description
1 300 Gallon Bladder Tank
1 Proportioner,Sized for System Flow
(628 gpm/ 2377 lpm)
4 JET-X 15 Generators
260 gal. JET-X Concentrate
As Required Test Foam, JET-X Concentrate