How Joex foum extlngulxhex flre?

Separating effect
The closed Ioam cover separates the combustion zone Irom the ambient air and prevents any
Iurther supply oI oxygen to the Ilammable material.
[[ing effect
The water drained Irom the Ioam evaporates in the area oI the Ilame Iront whereby heat is
withdrawn and the reaction velocity between the Ilammable material and atmospheric oxygen is
reduced signiIicantly. The Ilammable material is cooled down by the water/ Ioam solution
discharged by the Ioam.
[ber effect
The closed Ioam cover stops any Iurther gas evaporation Irom burning materials, i.e. Ilammable
gases Irom the incendiary matter can no longer get into the combustion zone Cooling the burning
material at the same time reduces the vapour pressure whereby outbursts oI gas and thus re-
ignition are avoided.
The preventive application oI Ioam onto spilled volatile products prevents emissions harmIul to
the environment. This also signiIicantly reduces the danger oI Iire.
epressi[n effect
Flooding spaces, channels, plant parts, etc. with high or medium expansion Ioam represses the
atmospheric oxygen and Ilammable gases necessary Ior the combustion process.
Insuati[n effect
1he low Lhermal conducLlvlLy of Lhe foam lnsulaLes flammable maLerlal whlch has noL yeL caughL flre or
has already been exLlngulshed agalnsL Lhermal radlaLlon and lgnlLlon sources

FOAM CHARACTERISTICS:


To be eIIective, good Ioam must contain the right blend oI physical characteristics:

1. OCOW SPEE A FLOW
This is time required Ior a Ioam blanket to spread across a Iuel surIace or around obstacles and wreckage in
order to achieve complete extinguishment.

2. HEAT RESISTACE
The Ioam must be able to resist the destructive eIIects oI heat radiated Irom any remaining Iire Irom the
liquid#s Ilammable vapor; and, any hot metal wreckage or other objects in the area.

3. FUEL RESISTACE
An eIIective Ioam minimizes Iuel pick-up so that the Ioam does not become saturated and burn.

4. 'APOR SUPPRESSIO
The vapor-tight blanket produced must be capable oI suppressing the Ilammable vapors and so minimize
the risk oI re-ignition.

5. ALCOHOL RESISTACE
ue to alcohol#s aIIinity to water and because a Ioam blanket is more than 90 water, Ioam blankets that
are not alcohol- resistant will be destroyed.

FOAM TYPES


The Iollowing Ioam concentrates are the most commonly used today by IireIighters:

Protein Foam Concentrates
Fluoroprotein Foam Concentrates
Film Forming Fluoroprotein Foam Concentrates
Aqueous Film Forming Foam Concentrates
Alcohol-Resistant Foam Concentrates (AR-AFFF and AR-FFFP)
Synthetic etergent Foam (Mid and High Expansion)

1. PROTEI FOAM:

Regular Protein Ioams (RP) are intended Ior use on hydrocarbon Iuels only. They produce a homogeneous, stable
Ioam blanket that has excellent heat resistance, burn back, and drainage characteristics.
Regular Protein Ioams have slow knockdown characteristics; however, they provide superior post Iire security at
very economical cost. Regular protein Ioams may be used with Iresh or sea water. They MUST be properly
aspirated and should not be used with non aspirating structural Iog nozzles.
Protein Ioams were the Iirst types oI mechanical Ioam to be marketed extensively and have been used since World
War II.
These Ioams are produced by the hydrolysis oI granulized keratin protein (protein hydrolysate) such as hooI and
horn meal, chicken Ieathers,etc.
In addition, stabilizing additives and inhibitors are included to prevent corrosion, resist bacterial decomposition and
to control viscosity.


2. FLUOROPROTEI FOAM (FP) :

Fluoroprotein Ioams have Iluorochemical surIactants which greatly enhance perIormance with Iast knockdown,
improved resistance to Iuel pick-up, and dry chemical compatibility. They are intended Ior use on Hydrocarbon
Iuels and select oxygenated Iuel additives.
As with Protein, they have excellent heat resistance, burnback, and post Iire security. Fluoroprotein Ioams may be
used with Iresh or sea water.
They MUST be properly aspirated and should not be used with non-aspirating structural Iog nozzles.
Fluoroprotein Foams are made by the addition oI special Iluorochemical surIactants to protein Ioam. This enhances
the properties oI protein Ioam by increasing Ioam Iluidity and improves the properties oI regular protein Ioam by
providing Iaster knockdown and excellent Iuel tolerance.

FILM FORMI FLUOROPROTEI FOAM (FFFP):

FFFP#s are a combination oI Iluorochemical surIactants with protein Ioam. They are designed to combine the Iuel
tolerance and burnback resistance oI a Iluoroprotein Ioam with an increased knockdown power.
FFFP Ioams release an aqueous Iilm on the surIace oI the hydrocarbon Iuel.



3. AQUEOUS FILM FORMI FOAM (AFFF) :

The ational Foam AFFF Iamilies oI Ioams are designed to provide the Iastest possible knockdown on hydrocarbon
Iuels.
Their Iluidity allows them to quickly Ilow around obstacles, wreckage and debris. iIIerent percentages may be
selected depending on the users proportioning hardware. Standard AFFFs are pre-mixable, dry powder compatible,
and can be used with either Iresh or sea water. AFFFs may be used through non-aspirating devices; however, Ior
optimum perIormance aspirating nozzles should be used. Aer-O-Water 3EM and 6EM conIorm to the Iire
perIormance and chemical Iormulation as deIined by MILSPEC, MIL-F-24385-F.
Aer-O-Lite cold Ioams have been speciIically Iormulated Ior use in cold temperature environments. They have the
same properties as regular AFFFs but have much lower usable temperatures as seen below in the storage and
handling guide.
AFFF#s are a combination oI Iluorochemical surIactants and synthetic Ioaming agents. AFFF#s extinguish Iires by
Iorming a aqueous Iilm. This Iilm is a thin layer oI Ioam solution that spreads rapidly across the surIace oI a
hydrocarbon Iuel causing dramatic Iire knockdown.
The aqueous Iilm is produced by the action oI the Iluorochemical surIactant reducing the surIace tension oI the Ioam
solution to a point where the solution can actually be supported on the surIace oI the hydrocarbon.









4. ALCOHOL RESISTAT AQUEOUS FILM FORMI FOAM (AR-AFFF) :

Universal Plus is designed Ior use on Hydrocarbons 3 and Polar Solvents 6. Universal Plus has excellent
perIormance characteristics under a wide variety oI conditions.
Universal Plus is ry Powder Compatible and may be used with Iresh or sea water. When used at 6 on Polar
Solvents Universal plus must be properly aspirated.
Universal old 1/3 is designed to be used on Hydrocarbons and Polar Solvents 3. Universal OL 3
allows you to minimize your Ioam inventory requirements while maximizing extinguishing capabilities.
Universal OL 3 is ry Powder Compatible and may be used with Iresh or sea water. When used at 3 on
Polar Solvents, Universal OL 3 must be properly aspirated.
Alcohol resistant-AFFF Ioams are produced Irom a combination oI synthetic detergents, Iluoro-chemicals and
polysaccharide polymer. A polar solvent (or water miscible) Iuels such as alcohols are destructive to non-alcohol
resistant type Ioams. Alcohol resistant-AFFF Ioams act as a conventional AFFF on hydrocarbon Iuels, Iorming an
aqueous Iilm on the surIace oI the hydrocarbon Iuel. When used on polar solvents (or water miscible Iuels), the
polysaccharide polymer Iorms a tough membrane which separates the Ioam Irom the Iuel and prevents the
destruction oI the Ioam blanket.
While some concentrates are designed Ior use on hydrocarbon Iuels at 3 and polar solvents at 6, today#s newer
Iormulations are designed to be used at 3 on both Iuel groups. These newer Iormulations provide more cost
eIIective protection oI alcohol type Iuels, using halI the amount oI concentrate as a 3 / 6 agent. The use oI a 3 x
3 AR-AFFF also simpliIies setting the proportioning percentage at an incident, since it is always 3. Overall, AR-
AFFF#s are the most versatile type oI Ioam available today, oIIering good burn back resistance, knockdown and high
Iuel tolerance on both hydrocarbon and polar solvent (or water miscible) Iires.




5. ALCOHOL RESISTAT FILM FORMI FLUOROPROTEI FOAM
(AR-FFFP):


Alcohol resistant-FFFP Ioams are produced Irom a combination oI protein Ioam, Iluorochemical surIactants and
polysaccharide polymer. Alcohol resistant- FFFP Ioams act as conventional FFFP#s on hydrocarbon Iuels Iorming
an aqueous Iilm on the surIace oI
the hydrocarbon Iuel. When used on polar solvents (or water miscible Iuels), the polysaccharide polymer Iorms a
tough membrane which separates the Ioam Irom the Iuel and prevents the destruction oI the Ioam blanket.
AR-FFFP Ioams are available as 3 / 6 concentrates which are designed Ior use on hydrocarbon Iuels at 3 and
polar solvents at 6. These Iormulations are also available Ior use at 3 on both hydrocarbons and polar solvent
Iuels.
Class A Ioams may be used as a IireIighting agent or as a Iire barrier. When used as a wetting agent, the concentrate
lowers the surIace tension oI the water, allowing better penetration into deep seated Iires.
As a Iire barrier, Class A Ioams increase moisture content in Class A combustibles, preventing the ignition oI these
type Iuels. When used as a Iire barrier, air aspiration oI the Ioam solution is critical.






6. SYTHETIC ETERET FOAM (MI A HIH EXPASIO) :

EIIective on Class A Iires, High Expansion is very useIul Ior conIined space Iire-Iighting and as a wetting agent.
High Expansion can be used on small scale Class B Hydrocarbon Fires.
Synthetic Ioams are a mixture oI synthetic Ioaming agents and stabilizers.
Mid-Expansion oI Synthetic etergent based Ioam is used Ior suppressing hazardous vapors.
SpeciIic Ioams are required depending on the chemicals involved.
High expansion Ioams can be used on Iixed installations to provide total Ilooding oI warehouses or other enclosed
rooms containing class A materials such as wood, paper, plastic and rubber.
Care must be taken with regard to any electrical power source in the area. Fire extinguishment in these cases is
rather diIIerent Irom low expansion Ioam.
High expansion Iire extinguishment really amounts to smothering the Iire area, and cooling the Iuel.










Since Ioam agents must be mixed with water and then aspirated with air, special equipment is
required to proportion and generate the Ioam. Proportioning is usually accomplished by either
induction or balanced pressure.

[c F[am is Cenerated
A)Induction:
Induction proportioning requires the use oI a high-velocity venturi (eductor) in the water stream,
which creates an area oI negative gauge pressure within the venturi. Atmospheric pressure then
can cause the Ioam concentrate to Ilow into the venturi and be inducted into the water stream.
This device usually results in large energy losses and requires high water-inlet pressures. The
proportion usually has a limited Ilow-rate range in which the device will proportion accurately or
even Iunction.







A constant amount oI Ioam concentrate is added to water by means oI a proportioner. The
resulting mixture oI water/Ioam concentrate is expanded with air in the Ioam generator.

II the proportion oI air is low a heavy 'wet Ioam is produced and a high proportion oI air
produces a medium "moist" to light "dry" Ioam. In any case, the volume oI Ioam produced is
many times greater than the volume oI the water/Ioam concentrate solution.
e Inducti[n rate
SpeciIies the percentage ratio oI Ioam concentrate added to water. At 3 induction rate, Ior
example, 3 parts oI Ioam concentrate are mixed with 97 parts oI water.

uring Iire Iighting operation, the Ioam concentrate is added by means oI a proportioner or
pump premixer either at the water pump, in the hose line, at the Ioam generator or in the central
Ioam station. The induction rate is set at the proportioner or the pump premixer and usually
varies (according to the type oI Ioam concentrate, type oI Ilammable material and the application
device used) between 1 and 6 . When using a synthetic Ioam concentrate as wetting agent 1
is added.

B)Balanced-pressure:
The balanced pressure proportioning system Iunctions by maintaining an equal pressure in the
Ioam concentrate and water inlets to the proportioner. This balancing ability allows the
proportioner to be used over a wide range oI Ilows and pressures. The system will also respond
quickly and accurately to changes in the water inlet pressures and Ilow rates.
The system operates by passing the required portion oI Ioam concentrate Irom a positive
displacement pump to a venturi proportioner with the remaining portion recirculating through a
diaphragm valve in the return line to the tank. The diaphragm valve senses and balances the
pressures in the Ioam concentrate and water lines to the proportioner. (The pressures can also be
balanced manually by using the manual regulating globe valve and the duplex gauge.) The Ioam
concentrate then enters the proportioner where a built-in oriIice regulates the Ilow oI pressurized
Ioam concentrate entering the water stream.
The generation oI expanded Ioam Irom the solution requires special devices or equipment. Low-
expansion Ioams usually use nozzles which induct atmospheric air near the point oI discharge.
High-expansion Ioams generally require a powered device which pressurizes the air to achieve
expansion.









Foam in both Iixed systems and manual Iire-Iighting equipment has been Iound useIul wherever
Ilammable liquids Iires occur. Typical applications include: tank Iarms and storage tanks,
process structures and buildings, drummed storage warehouses, loading racks, and pump
stations.

CAFS-foam generation
The compressed air Ioam system (CAFS) is a method oI Ioam generation where the premixed
solution is already expanded at the pump using compressed air. A Ioam consisting oI very Iine
bubbles is produced. The induction rate is between 0.1 and 6 depending on the usage.

L[c expansi[n f[am
Lxpans|on rate

- WlLh up Lo 8 Llmes expanslon ls produced from proLeln foam
concenLraLes
- WlLh up Lo 20 Llmes expanslon ls produced from synLheLlc foam
concenLraLes
aracteristics:
"Wet" Ioam with Iine bubbles oI relatively high weight and small volume. Low expansion Ioam
has good Ilow ability, is resistant to Ilames and heat, gas tight and prevents re-ignition.
epending on the Ioam concentrate and induction rate low expansion Ioam adheres well to
vertical objects. Its Iire extinguishing eIIect mainly is due to its separating and cooling properties
and - iI it is an AFFF - additionally to Iilm Iormation.
Low expansion Ioam is produced in low expansion Ioam branch pipes, Ioam monitors or in
stationary/mobile Ioam installations. Screens or downstream upgrading sections, e.g. discharge
knees, which may be installed, have the eIIect that the water/Ioam concentrate mixture is
expanded even better with the air drawn in and a more "stiII" Ioam with Iiner bubbles is thus
produced.
ppicati[ns:
Is used Ior extinguishing Iires oI liquids and solid materials due to its exceptionally good Ilow-
ability. The Ioam distributes itselI over the entire surIace oI the Iire within a very short time and
provides an air-tight seal.
When Iighting Iires oI solid materials, its good adhesiveness even on vertical surIaces and bulky
incendiary matter has a particularly Iavourable eIIect. Special application methods, Ior example,
CAFS, support this eIIect. Used as a preventive measure, low expansion Ioam suppresses the
emission oI Ilammable gases. The Ilammable material remains covered by a gas-tight, insulating
and cooling Ioam layer Ior a long period. Thanks to its relatively high weight, a wide projection
range can be attained with low expansion Ioam which makes a Iire Iighting operation possible
Irom a saIe distance.
Aqueous Iilm Iorming Ioam concentrates such as STHAMEX-AFFF, MOUSSOL-APS, and
FOAMOUSSE-FFFP can be used in both expanded and non-aspirated Iorm as an aqueous
solution, Ior example, airports, in petrol depots, in plastics processing and recycling industries,
and ships as well as in the on- and oII-shore sectors. These Ioam concentrates are also suitable
Ior use in sprinkler and deluge Systems. The Ioam's high water releasing capacity supports the
Iormation oI an aqueous Iilm and thus improves the Ilow-ability. The low surIace tension oI the
Ioam solution increases the wetting eIIect when extinguishing Iires oI solid materials.
Medium expansi[n f[am
Lxpans|on rate

- WlLh up Lo 200 Llmes expanslon ls malnly produced from synLheLlc foam
concenLraLes
aracteristics:
epending on the expansion ratio a 'damp" Ioam with Iine bubbles or dry" Ioam with big
bubbles oI low weight and high volume is produced. Its Iire extinguishing property is due
especially to the separating, cooling and repression eIIects. Medium expansion Ioam is produced
in medium expansion Ioam branch pipes. The water/Ioam concentrate mixture is swirled in the
Ioam branch pipe with the air which is drawn in, under pressure hits a mesh inside the branch
pipe and is additionally expanded. In this way, a lot oI Ioam is produced within a short while
which can be built up high.
ppicati[ns:
Thanks to its wide expansion range, medium expansion Ioam can be used Ior numerous
applications: At 50 to 100 times expansion Ior Iires oI plastics, tires, and liquids and also to
extinguish glowing Iires; at 100 to 200 times expansion to Ilood Ilat spaces, Ior example,
channels, pits, shaIts, etc. and everywhere where a successIul Iire Iighting operation depends an
a Iast build-up oI large amounts oI Ioam. Projection ranges oI approx. 12 m can be attained using
medium expansion Ioam thus making a relatively gentle Ioam application possible. The Ioam
spreads quickly over the surIace oI the Iire and Iorms a closed, gas-tight cover. A particularly
swiIt and successIul Iire Iighting operation is achieved with the alcohol resistant AFFF Ioam
concentrate MOUSSOL-APS when dealing with polar liquids. Medium expansion Ioam
generators designed Ior industrial Iire protection operate with an expansion ratio oI approx. 1:25
up to 1:35. They attain projection ranges oI approx. 35 m.
ig expansi[n f[am
Lxpans|on rate

- WlLh over 200 Llmes expanslon ls produced for example from Lhe
synLheLlc foam concenLraLe aL a low waLer/ foam concenLraLe
consumpLlon
aracteristics:
Extremely high Ioam volume and low weight. High expansion Ioam contains a great proportion
oI air and is thereIore particularly 'dry Ioam with big bubbles. ue to its large volume and low
weight, high expansion Ioam cannot be "thrown".
Its Iire extinguishing property mainly is due to the separating, insulating and suppression eIIects.
These extinguishing eIIects are supported by a relatively high deterioration rate oI the Ioam as
minute drops oI water are released which in turn evaporate immediately due to the high
combustion temperatures and Iorm the 1,700-Iold volume oI steam. The ambient air is thinned
and cooled accordingly. High expansion Ioam is produced in high expansion Ioam generators.
ppicati[ns:
evelop its Iull Iire extinguishing eIIect particularly against Iires in spatially restricted sections.
Thanks to its extremely high expansion rate, even large areas such as airplane hangars or
warehouses can be completely Ilooded within a short time. High expansion Ioam is applied into
the object to be protected Irom outside by means oI a suitably sized hose (conduit pipe) or is
produced within the object by means oI special high expansion Ioam generators using the hot
combustion gases (Inside Air or Hot Foam systems). The water content in the Ioam is so low that
water damage is minimized to a great extent. Used as a preventive measure, high expansion Ioam
suppresses Ilammable gases and provides eIIective protection against the eIIects oI Ilames and
heat.