FOAM SYSTEM

.
 OVERVIEW
 Introduction
 Types of Foams
 Methods of Foam Extinguishment
 Bio-degradability
 Characteristics of Foam
 Generation of Foam
 Foam Proportioner
 Design Criteria
 Piping and Installation
 Discharge Devices
 Testing of Foams
 Applications of Foam
 Limitations
 INTRODUCTION
 Invented by Russian engineer and chemist Alexander loran
in 1902
 NFPA 11- Standard for High-medium-low expansion foam

 Why to use Foam in Fire fighting

 Fire Prevention: Foam blanket
 Vapor Suppression: Blockage of ignition source
 Odor Control: Suppression of hazardous or noxious vapors
 Asset protection: Post securement of assets
 SYSTEM COMPONENTS

 Fire Detection System

 Piping Connections
 Foam concentrate source- Bladder Tank
 Ratio controller/Proportioner
 Water Inlet Supply
 Discharge devices- Foam pourer, Nozzles etc.
SYSTEM OVERVIEW
 TYPES OF FOAM
 AFFF:
 1%, 3% & 6% type concentrate
 Can be used with fresh or salt water
 Can be used in cold climates
 3% concentrate on hydrocarbon fuels
 6% concentrate on non polar solvents

 Protein foaming agents:

 Contains natural protein
 Available in either 3% or 6% concentrate
 Highly stabilized foam
 Fluro Protein Foaming agent:
 Derivative of protein foams
 Only addition of fluro chemical

 Synthetic Agents:
 Allows max. flexibility during use
 Discharged through all types of nozzles

 Alcohol resistant foam agent:

 Contains polymer that forms protecting layer
 Prevents foam breakdown
 METHODS OF FOAM
EXTINGUISHMENT
 Roll on

 Rain down
 Bank down
 BIO-DEGRADABILITY
 Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)
Methods to find BOD:
1. Dilution Method
2. Monomeric method

 Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)

 CHARACTERISTICS OF FOAM
 Knock down speed & flow
 Heat resistance
 Fuel resistance
 Alcohol resistance
 Vapor suppression
 EXPANSION RATIO

 Low (up-to 20:1)

 Medium (20:1 to 200:1)
 High (above 200:1)
GENERATION OF FOAM

Two stages of foam

generation
 PROPORTIONER
 Introduction

 Purpose

 Method
FOAM PROPORTIONER
VARIABLE RANGE PROPORTIONER
 DESIGN CRITERIA
 To find min. quantity of foam concentrate
required
 To find min. quantity of water required
 To check pressure at outlet of ratio controller
 To find number of discharge devices required
 To find the quantity of foam concentrate in
case of supplementary supply
 BLADDER TANK

Horizontal Bladder tank

Vertical Bladder tank

 FIRE CONTROLLING METHODS

Fixedfoam fire protection system

Semi-Fixed fire foam protection system
 STORAGE TANKS

Fire occurs mainly due to lighting storm

Floating roof tanks are used for low flash point

petroleum products
Cone roof tanks are used for less volatile products of

higher flash point

 Types of Storage tanks
1. A Cone Roof Storage Tank

Resulting fire will involve the full surface of the exposed

flammable liquid.
 2. An Open Top Floating Roof
Storage Tank-
A pontoon type roof floats directly on the flammable liquid
surface. The rim seal covers the space between the floating
roof and the tank shell throughout the perimeter.
 3. An Internal Floating
Roof/Covered Floating Roof
Storage Tank
It is a combination of both the cone roof and the open top
floating roof tank. It consists of open vents in tank side
walls near the roof joint.
 FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS FOR
STORAGE TANKS
Sub-surface Base Injection
Over the Top - (Subdivided as follows)

a. Foam Chambers
b. Foam Makers
c. Portable Foam Monitor
SUB-SURFACE BASE INJECTION
The injection points must be located above any
potential water layer above 1ft. at the bottom of the
tank.
Maximum Allowable Back Pressure = 40% of Inlet

Pressure.
Advantages:

1. Efficiency
2. Survivability
Disadvantages: Not recommended for floating

roof & Internal Floating Roof type tanks.

FOAM CHAMBERS
 DISCHARGE DEVICES

Foam sprinklers and nozzles Foam monitor

foam pourer
PORTABLE FOAM MONITOR
 TESTING OF FOAMS
 There are two methods for measuring foam concentrate
percentage in foam solution:
1. Refractive index method(±0.3%)
2. Conductivity method(±0.05%)
Comparison between foam solution test sample &
standard solution by plotting refractive index or
conductivity Vs concentration
Recomissioning period- 3 years
Performance based on accuracy of proportion of foam

solution
Instruments used:

1. Refracto-meter
2. Conductivity meter
APPLICATIONS OF FOAM
 APPLICATIONS OF FOAM SYSTEMS
 High Expansion Foam
 Low Expansion Foam
 AFFF
 FFFP
 AR – AFFF
 Foam Water Sprinkler System
 Medium or High Expansion Foam (20 to

1000)
 Foam with Expansion Ratio 400:1 to

500:1
 Other Applications
 LIMITATIONS
 Foam solutions are conductive so can not be
used for electric fire.
 When certain other extinguishing agents used
in conjunction with foam, severe breakdown
of foam may occur.
 Turbulent or uprising combustion gases
from fire may divert foam from burning area.
 Foam is unstable and may be broken down
easily by physical or mechanical force such
as water hose stream.
THANK YOU…!