Unit 4

Low-Expansion Foam System

Design

NFPA 11
Standard for Low Expansion
Foam

Which one is safer?

Flammable or Combustible???

Flammable Liquids

Flammable liquid is defined as a liquid that

has a flash point below 100F and having
a vapor pressure not exceeding 40 psi
What is flash point?

Lower Flammable Limit

What is vapor pressure?

Closed container, vapor-air mixture above the

liquid

Combustible Liquids

Combustible liquid is defined as a liquid

that has a flash point at or above 100F

Low-Expansion Foam

Low-expansion foam systems are used

when a blanket of foam is needed to float
on the horizontal surface of a flammable
or combustible liquid.
Limited vertical surface protection
Use when Coating and O2 Displacement
are the preferred method of
extinguishment

Low-Expansion Foam (cont.)

Coating

Separates the fuel from the flame

Blocks admission of air to the combustion
process (i.e. oxygen dilution/separation of the
fire)
Cools the surface of the fuel

Low-Expansion Foam (cont.)

Low-Expansion foam is an appropriate

substitute for water when water is heavier
than the Flammable/Combustible liquid
being protected.
Specific gravity

Expansion Ratio

Expansion Ratio

Low Expansion Foam

Up to 20:1 Typically 8:1

Medium Expansion Foam

20:1 to 200:1 Typically 100:1
High Expansion Foam
200:1 to 1000:1 Typically 500:1

Expansion Ratio (cont.)

The expansion ratio of foam is computed

by measuring the volume of the foam
produced after water and air are added
and comparing that volume to the original
volume of foam concentrate used
Low-Expansion Foam = up to 20:1 of the
hazard

The Components of Foam

Components of Foam

Air

Water

Contained within Foam bubbles

Delivered at a specified density in
GPM/SQ.FT

Foam Concentrate

Injected into the water stream at a specific

percentage

Components of Foam (cont.)

Foam concentrate is usually stored in drums or

barrels

1st - the Foam Concentrate is mixed with water to

make a Foam Solution
2nd - the Foam Solution flows through the piping
system to the hazard location
3rd - the Foam Solution is mixed with air (disch.
devices) at the specified rate to make FOAM
Its like blowing bubbles

Types of Foam

Types of Foam

Protein Foam
Fluoroprotein Foam (FFFP)
Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF)
Alcohol-resistant Foam
Chemical Foam

Protein Foam

Expansion ratio between 8:1 and 10:1

Protein-based animal additives (hooves,
feathers) Hmm, Hmm, Good!
Can be effective on hydrocarbon fires, but
absorbs fuel and tends to fail, no film

What does hydrocarbon mean?

Organic Compounds that contain only carbon and

hydrogen (i.e. Natural Gas, Petroleum, Coal, etc)

Protein Foam (cont.)

Shorter shelf life

More frequent replacement compared to
other types of Foam
May not maintain floating above the fuel

Fluoroprotein Foam

Protein Foam
Contains fluoroprotein additives

Less absorption of fuel

Film-Forming fluoroprotein (FFFP)

More effective than regular Fluoroprotein

Produces a film barrier between the foam and

the fuel

Protein-based Foams(Summary)

Ranked by Effectiveness

Film-Forming Fluoroprotein Foam (FFFP)

Fluoroprotein Foam
Protein Foam

Aqueous Film-Forming Foam

(AFFF)

Synthetic Foam
Recommended for flammable liquids in
storage tanks

Thin aqueous film that separates the foam

from the fuel

Readily available
Foam of choice for many applications
including Aircraft Hangars protection

Alcohol-resistant Foam

Used for the protection of alcohol-based

flammable liquid fires
Effective because the alcohol in the
flammable liquid does not collapse the
foam bubbles (water absorption) like other
foams
Forms a polymeric membrane between
the foam and the fuel

Chemical Foams

Depends on chemical reaction within the

Foam Solution to create air bubbles
(Foam)
Obsolete due to AFFF and FFFP

Proportioning Methods

Proportioning Methods

Foam Concentrate must be mixed with

water by a Foam Proportioner

Ensures proper expansion Ratio and proper

proportions

Example 6% Foam Concentrate

6% Foam Concentrate, 94% Water

Types of Proportioners

Venturi /In-Line Proportioner

Pressure Proportioner
Balanced Pressure Proportioner

Venturi /In-Line Proportioner

Water moves past the metering orifice,

thus creating negative pressure at the
orifice that forces (pulls) Foam
Concentrate into the water stream of the
Venturi
Foam is dependent on metering orifice
size, but is typically 1%, 3%, or 6% mix

Pressure Proportioner

Draws a portion of incoming water stream into

the tank holding the Foam Concentrate

This is done in an effort to pressurize the tank where

the foam concentrate is stored

Collapsible bladder holds the Foam Concentrate

Water increases the amount of pressure on the
bladder tank, thus forcing foam concentrate out
of the bladder and towards the proportioner

Balanced Pressure Proportioner

Uses an atmospheric foam concentrate tank

Uses a pump to pressurize the concentrate and
force it toward the proportioner
A proportioner that balances the pumped
concentrate pressure to the water supply
pressure, mixing the two at the correct ratio

Types of Foam Systems

Types of Foam Systems

Mobile and Portable Apparatus

Semi Fixed Systems
Fixed Foam Systems

Mobile and Portable Apparatus

Fire Departments

Hand (portable)
F.D. Truck
Wheeled Platform (Mobile)

Selection of Foam or Foam Equipment

should match the expected flammable or
combustible liquid

Semi Fixed Systems

Permanent Foam makers and outlets

Spaced as needed or required

Piped to a connection

Semi Fixed Piping used in conjunction with

mobile or portable foam equipment

Located a safe distance from hazard

Mobile or portable foam equipment should be able to

serve multiple semi fixed piping installations

Detection system, continuously attended central

station, on-site fire brigade is recommended

Fixed Foam Systems

This course is focused on Fixed Foam

Systems

Automatic
Self-contained
No manual intervention

Specifically fixed storage tank foam F.P.

and fixed aircraft hangar F.P.

Storage Tank foam fire protection

Four types of protection systems we will

discuss in FET-222

Subsurface injection
Surface application
Seal protection for floating roof tanks
Dike protection

Subsurface Injection Low

Expansion Foam Systems

Subsurface Injection Foam

Systems

Storage tank w/fixed permanent roof

Prevents the collection of rainwater above or

below flammable/combustible liquid

Foam is applied below the surface of the

liquid, and floats to the top of the fuel
surface

Subsurface Injection Foam

Systems

#1 Dedicated foam line

Piping and nozzles at bottom of tank with nozzles in the

liquid, dedicated solely to foam injection
Nozzle spacing provides uniform disbursement of foam to
surface of the liquid (more gentle and uniform than surface
application of foam)
Not practical for existing tanks

#2 Injection into product (liquid) line

Tapped directly into the tank product line

Practical for existing tanks

Subsurface Injection Foam

Systems (cont.)

High back-pressure foam makers required

on both types of subsurface injection
types

Design Methods for Subsurface

Injection Foam Systems

Step #1-Calculate fuel surface area

The circular area of the exposed fuel at the

upper level of the tank
Area=(pi)(r)^2

Step #2-Determine application rate (R)

and discharge time (T)

See Figure 3-8

Design Methods for Subsurface

Injection Foam Systems (cont.)

Step #3-Calculate minimum foam

discharge rate

Foam Discharge rate

Dgpm=(Area) (Rate)

D=foam discharge rate (gpm)

A=tank surface area (Step #1)
R=application rate (See Figure 3-8)

Design Methods for Subsurface

Injection Foam Systems (cont.)

Step #4-Calculate foam concentrate quantity

Foam Concentrate Quantity

Q=(A)(R)(T)(%)

Q=primary foam concentrate quantity (gal)

A=tank surface area (Step #1)
R=application rate (See Figure 3-8)
%=concentrate percentage for foam selected

1%(0.01), 3%(0.03), (6%(0.06)

Design Methods for Subsurface

Injection Foam Systems (cont.)

Step #5-Determine the number of subsurface

foam application outlets

See Figure 3-9

Step #6-Determine supplementary protection

requirements

See Figure 3-10

# of addl. hose streams x 50gpm

See Figure 3-11

(# of addl. hose streams) x (50gpm) x (Operating Time) x (%)

Design Methods for Subsurface

Injection Foam Systems (cont.)

Step #7-Determine total discharge rate

Step #8-Determine total foam concentrate

quantity

Dt=D+Ds

Qt=Q+Qs

Step #9-Hydraulically calculate the system

Break

Surface Application - Low

Expansion Foam Systems

Surface Application Low

Expansion Foam Systems

Surface application discharge devices are

designed to roll a thin blanket of foam over
the surface area of the fuel with fixed
discharge outlets permanently located
above the fuel surface

See Figures 3-12, 13A, 13B in textbook

There are two types of discharge devices

Surface Application Low

Expansion Foam Systems (cont.)

Discharge devices

Type I Outlet Discharge Devices

Designed to deliver foam onto the liquid surface in a very

gentle fashion

Two types
Porous Tubes tube overcomes diaphragm pressure and
drops into tank from the Foam Chamber
Foam Trough Chute securely attached to the inside of
the tank, like pouring concrete

These outlets are designed to extinguish fire with a

minimum of Foam-producing materials.

Surface Application Low

Expansion Foam Systems (cont.)

Discharge devices (cont.)

Type I Outlet Discharge Devices

Considered obsolete because nearly all

currently manufactured foams are suitable for
use with Type II discharge outlets

Surface Application Low

Expansion Foam Systems (cont.)

Discharge devices (cont.)

Type II Outlet Discharge device

Designed to deliver foam (less gently than Type I
Outlets) onto the liquid surface, but to lessen
submergence of the foam and agitation of the
surface
Commonly called Foam Chambers

Most Foam Chambers are of a Type II discharge outlet

design, since they are normally suitable for use with
modern foams

Seal Protection for

Floating Roof Tanks

Seal Protection for

Floating Roof Tanks

What is a floating roof?

A floating roof floats on the surface of the flammable

liquid, rising and falling as the liquid is added to or
removed from the tank

The floating roof allows no space between the bottom of the

roof and the surface of the liquid, no vapor buildup

What is seal protection?

A system that involves building a dam around the

perimeter of a floating roof and filling the seal area
with low expansion foam

Seal Protection for

Floating Roof Tanks (cont.)

What part of the floating tank gets Foam

protection?

The space between the edge of the floating roof and

the perimeter of the tank

The (weather) seal that covers this area requires Foam

Protection
This involves building a Dam of Foam around the perimeter
of the floating roof and the tank

Some cases require Foam Distribution Piping to

penetrate the (weather) seal

Seal must be able to hold the Foam

Seal Protection for

Floating Roof Tanks (cont.)

Spacing of Discharge devices

Top of Seal protection (foam dam)

Foam dam height 12 inches, Outlets-40ft max

Foam dam height 24 inches, Outlets-80ft max

Protection below Seal (pipe penetration of seal)

Mechanical Shoe seal, Outlets-130ft max

Tube seal, Outlets-60ft max typically
Foam dam required when 6 in or less between top of roof
and tube

Dike Protection Low

Expansion Foam Systems

Dike Protection Low Expansion

Foam Systems

Containment dike for tank farms will often

have a supplemental Low Expansion
Foam System
The dike area is flooded with Foam that
will float on top of any flammable liquid
that may have been spilled within the
containment area
See Figure 3-19, Plan view

Dike Protection Low Expansion

Foam Systems (cont.)

A dike protection system may also be

recommended as supplemental protection

fixed cone roof (FCR)

floating roof tank (FRT) dike area

Systems can be portable or mobile under

certain guidelines

Dike Protection Low Expansion

Foam Systems (cont.)

Design Procedure

Calculate dike area

Note: If a tank is installed with its bottom mounted to the floor

of the dike, then the surface area of the tank may be
deducted from the total dike area

Determine application rate and discharge times per

NFPA 11
Calculate foam discharge rate and concentrate
quantity
Determine the number of foam discharge devices
required

Dike Protection Low Expansion

Foam Systems (cont.)

Design Methodology
Step #1

Calculate dike area

Step #2

Determine application rate(outlets & monitors)

Determine discharge times(outlets &
monitors)

Dike Protection Low Expansion

Foam Systems (cont.)

Step #3

Step #4

Calculate foam discharge rate

Calculate concentrate quantity
Determine # of foam discharge devices
required

N=(2L+2W)/30

See page 11-19, NFPA 11

Low Expansion Foam Systems

for Aircraft Hangars

Low Expansion Foam Systems

for Aircraft Hangars

Aircraft that are stored or serviced in an

aircraft hangar contain large amounts of
flammable fuel
Servicing the aircraft offers numerous
opportunities for the spilled fuel to ignite

Low Expansion Foam Systems

for Aircraft Hangars (cont.)

NFPA 409

Standard on Aircraft Hangars

Low expansion foam systems not only

smother flammable liquid pool fires on the
floor, but effectively coat the aircraft skin
with an effective exposure protection
barrier.

Low Expansion Foam Systems

for Aircraft Hangars (cont.)

Hangars are classified by three groups

Group I, Group II and Group III

Aircraft hangar fire protection design can consist

of low expansion foam systems

Ceiling protection (coats skin)

Underwing protection (WOM)

Aspirated foam water nozzles (Air) vs. Non-aspirated

sprinklers
Water Oscillating monitors

Supplementary Hose protection

Truck Loading Rack Protection

Truck Loading Rack Protection

NFPA 11- Standard for Low Expansion Foam

NFPA 16- Standard for the Installation of Deluge
Foam-Water Sprinkler and Foam-Water Spray
Systems
NFPA 16A- Standard for the Installation of
Closed-Head Foam-Water Sprinkler Systems
The point where flammable and combustible
liquids are pumped from storage tanks to a truck
See Figure 3-25, Page 69

Hazards Associated with Truck

Loading Racks

Most dangerous portion of the

manufacture of a flammable or
combustible liquid
Pumping the liquid involves Pressurization
of the hose line that transmits the liquid
Pump could fail
Hose could burst or become dislodged
from the connection to the truck

Hazards Associated with Truck

Loading Racks (cont.)

Numerous other ignition sources:

Smoking
Electrostatic charges
Truck Battery

Fire Protection Strategy for Truck

Loading Racks

Roof protection

Foam-water sprinklers or Foam-water spray nozzles

at the roof of the truck loading rack. Typically, at a
maximum of 100 sq.ft.(10 x 10) i.e. Extra Hazard

Goal of Roof Protection

To provide complete protection of the drainage area

The drainage area is the curbed area designed contain

spilled flammable or combustible liquids as it flows towards
floor drains. Note: Drainage area may not always coincide
with the Roof area. The hazard area is always the drainage
area, not the roof area.

Fire Protection Strategy for Truck

Loading Racks

See Figure 3-28

Additional nozzles are aimed directly at
the point of connection of the hose to the
truck
Additional nozzles are aimed beneath the
truck to enable the sweeping of liquid from
beneath the truck
See Figure 3-29

Summary

Use

Expansion ratio Low Expansion

Up to 20:1

Components of Foam

Protection of Flammable or Combustible liquids (Twodimensional)

Foam concentrate, Water, Air

Types of Foam

Protein, Fluoroprotein, AFFF, Alcohol-resistant, and

Chemical

Summary (cont.)

Applications

Subsurface injection
Surface injection
Seal protection
Dike protection
Aircraft Hangars
Truck loading racks

Questions???