UNITOR LOW EXPANSION FOAM

FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM

Trust us to protect you, your people and the environment

EFFECTIVE
PROTECTION
OF OPEN SPACE AREAS
Extinguish fire in open space areas on vessels
or offshore structures can be challenging, as the
effects of wind and a constant supply of oxygen
allow fires to develop very quickly.
The situation can be aggravated by the presence
of chemical and hydrocarbon based products,
similar to those found aboard tankers and offshore
structures.
The results can be extensive damage to the vessel
or structure, the environment and potential loss of
life. This requires a solution that is fast and able to
effectively extinguish fires in open space areas.
The Unitor Low Expansion Foam Fire Extinguishing
System uses a non-toxic protein or synthetic based
low expansion foam, consisting of foam concentrate, water and air to effectively extinguish fires
in open spaced areas. The system gives safe and
effective protection, and is harmless to people and
environment.
The system can be applied on merchant marine and
offshore structures as the design is in accordance
to SOLAS and IMO MODU Code, and in compliance
with Class requirements. The system is approved
by all major classification societies.

Keeps equipment and

personnel safe
Unitor Low Expansion Foam System is commonly
applied to open spaces like cargo tank areas, tanker
stern or bow loading areas, helidecks and other
open spaces on oil, product and chemical tankers,
floating storage facilities and offshore structures.
The system can also be applied to enclosed spaces
such as bilge areas, purifier rooms and other spaces
where a horizontal area need to be covered.
Depending on type of incident, monitors, portable
applicators and foam spray nozzles can be used
individually or in conjunction to quickly and effectively extinguish the fire. Monitors are used to fight
the fire from a predetermined safe distance, while
portable applicators cover shadow areas not reachable by the monitors. The system has a fast and
effective release of foam, with monitors used in jet
or fog mode.
As an extinguishing medium, foam is lighter than
combustion materials such as oil or petrol, and
consequently forms a stable foam blanket which
seals against oxygen and effectively extinguishes
the fire while reducing radiated heat.
With easy operation, a non-toxic foam concentrate
and complete space coverage using a combination
of monitors and applicators, the system effectively
protects the safety of personnel and equipment.

Unitor Low Expansion Foam System is a high quality,

compliant fire extinguishing system which is easy
to operate. Modular skid based units provides easy
installation and reduced footprint. Components are
constructed in corrosion resistant materials and
coatings, which provide a robust, low maintenance
system. For service purposes, foam concentrate
replacements are delivered worldwide.

Safety of open areas

The system effectively blankets fire and prevents
further outbreak using non-toxic low expansion
foam. Sturdy and compact foam monitors use jet
or fog mode, and a balanced pressure proportioner guarantees reliable foam mixing. Monitors
are placed at safe distance. This reduces fire and
heat damages, and protects the areas and safety
of the personnel.

Low installation and

operational cost

Complies with SOLAS and approved by major

classifi cation societies
Complies with SOLAS Ch.II-2 Reg.10, FSS Code
Ch.14

Unitor Low Expansion Foam system is designed for

optimum system performance, keeping both installation and operational costs low. Components delivered
on modular units, reduces installation cost. Minimal
and easy maintenance keeps operational cost low.

Complies with IBC Code reg.11

All foam concentrate, including alcohol resistant
foam, comply with IMO MSC/Circ.582 and Circ.799

Solution benefits

UNITOR LOW EXPANSION FOAM

FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEM

System description
Unitor Low Expansion Foam System is designed
to be installed both in open and enclosed spaces
when necessary.
The system consists of a reinforced foam tank,
foam pump, proportioner, sturdy and compact foam
monitors and portable foam applicators or foam
spray nozzles. Foam tank, foam pump, proportioner, valves and control panels can be delivered
on skid units, thus reducing installation work and
cost. All components are constructed in corrosion
resistant materials and coatings.
The monitors are located along the deck, with two
monitors mounted on the poop deck. The number
and spacing of the monitors, foam tank capacity
and system pressure/capacity is dependant upon
vessel type and area to be protected. For maximum
effectiveness, a balanced pressure proportioner
guarantees reliable foam mixing.
Foam applicators are provided for flexibility during fire
fighting on deck areas and to cover areas screened
from monitors.
In machinery spaces where a fixed low expansion
foam system is fitted in addition to a total flooding system, the system is capable of discharging
through fixed discharge outlets such as foam spray
nozzles. In addition, inductor type portable foam
applicators are required.

Extinguishing fire using

low expansion foam

Standard configuration
Example of system application for cargo tank deck:

Unitor Low Expansion Foam System uses either

protein or synthetic foam concentrate. The foam
consists of foam concentrate, water and air.
While protein foams are most commonly used, both
synthetic and protein foams are low expansion and
form a stable, heat resistant and secure foam blanket
to effectively extinguish large fires of hydrocarbon,
polar solvents or mixtures of both.
The Unitor Low Expansion Foam System suppresses
fire by covering the surface of the fire, separating
the air supply and quickly suppressing the fire, cooling
down the area which prevents further outbreak. The
system can use both fresh and sea water.
For maximum effectiveness and flexibility, the foam
control station contains foam tank, foam concentrate pump, mixing device, foam concentrate and
associated fittings. The control station is suitably
located outside the protected area, adjacent to the
areas protected and readily accessible and operable
in the event of fire.
The system can be applied on merchant marine
and offshore structures as design is in accordance
to SOL AS and IMO MODU Code. The system is
approved by all major classification societies.

Technical data
MONITOR

MIXING EQUIPMENT

Capacity [l/min]

1,250 - 11,000

Type

balanced pressure proportioner or inductor

These means of fighting fires ensure quick extinguishment in a safe and environmentally friendly manner.

Material

stainless steel

Capacity [l/min]

75 to 20,000

Max working pressure

16 bar

Material

stainless steel and bronze

Starting the fire water pump (s) and foam pump

prime the system. The distribution valves are then
opened to the monitors on deck. Remotely operated
valves, controlled from a central panel, can also
be installed. The safest and most flexible remote
operating system is achieved when the monitors are
hydraulically operated from the same panel. This
results in easy operation and effective extinguishing
of the fire.

APPLICATOR

FOAM CONCENTRATE

Capacity [l/min]

200 to 400

Types

Material

stainless steel

PUMP

Pressure [bar]

3 or 6

Type

centrifugal multi-stage (& positive displacement)

Material

stainless steel

Voltage/frequency [V/Hz]

3x400/50

TANK
Type

cylindrical

Material

glass fi bre reinforced polyester (GRP)

stainless steel on request

Opening

full range of protein and synthetic

3x440/60 (or on request)

Insulation and enclosure

full size man hole for inspection

Class F, IP55

www.wilhelmsen.com/shipsequipment

What is Wilhelmsen
Ships Equipment?
Wilhelmsen Ships Equipment offers fully engineered
safety, environmental and insulation solutions for
the newbuilds and retrofits in the maritime and
offshore markets. The companys main capabilities
are design, production, installation (on request)
and commissioning.
Annually, Wilhelmsen Ships Equipment delivers
over 1500 systems from sales locations around the
world. Today, our solutions and equipment are used
by roughly a quarter of the worlds merchant fleet.
Our safety solutions contain complete systems for
smoke and fire detection, fire-fighting for closed
rooms and open spaces, and nitrogen inert gas
systems, as well as loose safety equipment.
We have a solutions approach to environmental
problems and can provide solutions for emissions
to air, waste management (such as reduction of
waste and oily water), ballast water treatment
and fuel efficiency.
Through our company TI Marine Contracting we
deliver low-temperature insulation of cargo tanks
on gas carriers and terminal piping, as well as fire
and comfort insulation of naval vessels.
We are present in all major shipbuilding countries
and delivers after sales service through our sister
company Wilhelmsen Ships Service with local
expertise worldwide.

Products
ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS

Unitor Ballast Water Treatment System

NOxCare Marine
Unitor Fuel Homogeniser Systems
UFH Reducer
UFH Improver
UFH Injector
UFH Recycler
Unitor Oily Water Pod
SAFETY SOLUTIONS

Unitor Fire Suppression Systems

CO Fire Extinguishing System

Unitor 1230 Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing System
High Expansion Foam Fire Extinguishing System
Local Application Fire Fighting System
Deep-Fat Cooker Fire Extinguishing System
Water Mist Fire Extinguishing System
Fire Detection and Fire Alarm System
Sample Extraction Smoke Detection System
Low Expansion Foam Fire Extinguishing System
Dry Chemical Powder Fire Extinguishing System
2

Unitor-Generon Nitrogen Systems

Nitrogen Membrane Inert Gas System

Nitrogen Membrane Controlled
and Modified Atmosphere System
Nitrogen Cylinder System
INSULATION SOLUTIONS

Cryogenic Insulation Land & Marine

LPG/LNG Tank and Piping

www.wilhelmsen.com/shipsequipment
For service and spares, contact:
Wilhelmsen Ships Service
Tel.: +47 67 58 45 50, Fax: +47 67 58 45 70
Email: wss.info@wilhelmsen.com

www.wilhelmsen.com/shipsservice

Commercial Marine & Naval Vessels

Thermal Insulation
Acoustic Insulation
Fire Insulation
LOOSE EQUIPMENT

Oxygen/Acetylene Fixed Systems

Fire and Safety Equipment

Part of Wilhelmsen Maritime Services,

a Wilh. Wilhelmsen group company

010909No 707013rev.01

Wilhelmsen Ships Equipment

Tel.: +47 67 58 40 00, Fax: +47 67 58 69 01
Email: wse.info@wilhelmsen.com