© Fires in materials which violently react with water, such a combustible metals (sodium, phosphorus) . © Energized electrical equipment fires because foam is a conductor of electrical current. Foam may be classified into two general categories: low expansion foam and high expansion foam, Lov expansion foam is foam having an expansion of 100 oF 1 High expansion foam is foam having an expansion of greater than lon is the ratio of volume of foam produced to the volune of solution used to generate the foam. For example, an 8 expansion means 800 gallons of foam are produced from 100 gallons of solution. Whereas foam is not toxte, in a total flooding application visibility can be appreciably reduced, possibly causing entrapment of personnel. Protective equipment should be provided to allow for the rescue of trapped individuals if fire department response is not expected to be prompt. 6.1.1 Protection Consider There are two genersl classes of flanmable liquids hydrocarbons and polar solvents, Hydrocarbons are not water (#0 not mix with water) products, such as crude ofl, gasoline, hexane 1 ofl. Polar solvents are generally va cible products and ketones. It is necessary to select the proper foam for the specific hazard 6.1.1.1 Concentrates. Several types of foam liquid concentrates are available for different classes of flammable liquids and storage temperature considerations. Each major type of foam concentrate is alse available in modified forms for use in various proportions in the water, generally 3 or 6%. The types of foam concentrate are: © Regular Protein. Protein foams are manufactured from protein hydrosysate with compounds added for foan stabilization, freezing point suppression, and preservation. Protein foams are for use on hydrocarbon type flammable liquid fires. © Fluoroprotein. These foans are similar to the regular protein foams except a synthetic fluorocarbon surfactant has been added to improve the foam's firefighting performance. These improvements include: - Increased extinguishing ability. - Inereased ability to flow readily, known as “fluidity”. + Dry chemical extinguishing agent compatibility. = Superior séalability and burnback resistance. - Improved properties which allow subsurface injection of these foams into hydrocarbon fuel storage tanks. - Drainage. © Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFF). AFFF is a combination of fluorocarbon surfactants and synthetic foaming agents. An aqueous film of foam solution is produced by the action of the fluorocarbon surfactant reducing the surface tension of the foam solution to a 6-2mw point where the fuel can actually support the foam solution. The aqueous film rapidly spreads across the surface of a hydrocarbon fuel permitting a quick knock-down of the fire. The effectiveness and durability of the aqueous film is directly influenced by the surface tension of the hydrocarbon fuel AFFF is most effective on fuels which have high surface tension, such 1 fuel, and jet fuel, They are not as effective on like gasoline and hexane. AFFF is designed to drain foam solution slowly from bubble to provide optimum filming for rapid fire extinguishment. Long term sealability and burnback resistance are sacrificed by rapid drainage. Long term stability and burnback resistance can be enhanced by using air aspirating nozzle for making foam. @ Alcohol Type Foam. Flammable liquids of the polar solvent or alcohol type present a special fire protection problem because these fuels are vater soluble. Because of this, the fuels are “dissolved” into the vater contained in the normal foams to destroy the foam blanket. Alcohol type foams have a special additive which forms an insoluble barrier between the flammable Liquid and the foam. 6.2 LOW EXPANSION FOAM SYSTEMS. Fixed-pipe foam extinguishing systems usually eaploy low expansion foam as the agent. 6.2.1 Froportioning Methods. Foam is produced by blowing air into a solution of water and foam concentrate, This solution fs obtained with proportioning equipment. Correct foam Liquid proportioning is essential to produce foam of optimum quality. Several methods of proportioning are described below: 6.2.1.1 Line Proportioning. Line proportioning 1s primarily used for portable equipment but it is also used for some fixed installations. Line proportioners are in the form of a venturi, Water under pressure floving through the venturi cr ‘vacuum which inducts foam Liquid concentrate into the water stream (Figure 6-1), Line proportioners offer an inexpensive method of proportioning vhen the water supply pressure is reasonably high. Each proportioner is designed for a specified discharge rate based on a given vater pressure. Changes in water pressure cause corresponding changes in discharge quantity and proportioning which requires a change in the venturi The pressure drop through the venturi section of the line proportioner is approximately one-third of the Inlet pressure. 6.2.1.2 Pressure Proportioning. A pressure proportioning system (Figure 6-2) uses a venturi or orifice to create a pressure differential with water flowing through the device. A portion of the vater is diverted to the foam liquid storage tank to pressurize it. The water pressure in the tank forces the foam liquid {nto the low pressure area of the venturi. The a@ifferential across the venturi varies in proportion to the volume of water flow, so that one venturi will proportion properly over 4 wide range of flovs. The pressure drop through this unit {s relatively lov and this method can be used with lower pressure water supplies. During use, water displaces the foam supply in the tank and prevents the foam liquid from being replenished. When the foam concentrate supply {s exhausted, the systen must be shut off and the water in the foam concentrate tank drained. 6-3FIGURE 6-1 LINE PROPORTIONER INSTALLATION FIGURE 6-2 PRESSURE PROPORTIONER INSTALLATION 6-4