FOAM SYSTEM PROTECTION

Eric S. Greenwald, P.E.

 ERIC S. GREENWALD, P.E.
- B.S. Fire Protection Engineering University of
Maryland, 2001

- Licensed Professional Engineer in CA, CT, DE, MD, NJ,

NY, PA and VA

- Over 13 Years of fire protection experience with

expertise in fire sprinkler, suppression/clean agent,
fire alarm and foam system design and analysis,
hydraulics, fire pumps, code consulting, sales, project
management and commercial property, loss
prevention and underwriting.

- Foam fire protection experience, includes the sales,

design, installation and testing of over 6,00 gallons of
foam concentrate through a wide range of low
expansion and medium expansion systems. ANSUL,
certified in Foam system Design & Application.

- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the

Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) and the
Hospital Engineering Society of Greater New York
(HESGNY). OSHA 30 Hour Training Certification in
Construction Health & Safety.
 Overview & Objectives

- Types of Foam Agents and Foam System

Hardware

- Applications, Approvals, and Design

- Testing and Inspection

- Questions & Presentation Review

 Introduction to Foam & Fuels

A B C D

Flammable Energized Combustible

Ordinary
Liquids Electrical Metals
Combustibles
Equipment
Wood
Gasoline Transformers Magnesium
Cloth
Acetone Computers Sodium
Paper
Kerosene Potassium
Wool
Alcohol
CLASS A FOAM CLASS B FOAM FOAM NOT RECOMMENDED
 HYDROCARBONS
• Products of Crude Oil Float On Water.
– Gasoline
– Diesel
– Heptane
– Kerosene
 POLAR SOLVENTS

• Products of Distillation Mix With Water.

– Ketones
– Ethanol
– Alcohols
– MTBE – Gasoline additive
(Methyl-tert-butyl ether)
 Methods
Methodsof FireofExtinguishment for Fire
Fire Extinguishment
for Fighting Foams Foams
Fire Fighting

• removes heat at a faster rate than it is released

• separates the fuel from the oxidizing agent
• dilutes the vapor-phase concentration of the fuel and/or oxidizing agent below
that necessary for combustion
 History of Foam
• Protein & Fluoroprotein, (for hydrocarbons), 1940’s

• AFFF (for hydrocarbons fuels), 1960’s

• AR-AFFF (multi-purpose), 1970’s

• High Expansion (total flooding capability)

• Class A (wetting agents), 1980’s

 Protein / Fluoroprotein Foam
for hydrocarbons, 1940’s

Combination of crushed bone and

feather meal

Requires Aspiration

7 to 10 years Shelf-life

20OF to 120OF
 Synthetic Foam
• Synthetic foams are based on synthetic surfactants. Synthetic foams
provide better flow and faster knockdown of flames.

• Aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) are water-based and frequently

contain hydrocarbon-based surfactant such as sodium alkyl sulfate, and
fluorosurfactant — such as fluorotelomers, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA),
or perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). They have the ability to spread
over the surface of hydrocarbon-based liquids.

• Alcohol-resistant aqueous film-forming foams (AR-AFFF) are foams

resistant to the action of alcohols, able to form a protective film when
they are present.
 Foam Expansion Categories
• Low Expansion Foam Ratio: 8:1

• Medium Expansion Foam Ratio: 100:1

• High Expansion Foam Ratio: 500:1

• Compressed Air Foam Ratio: 10:1

AFFF- Aqueous Film Forming Foam
Low or Medium Expansion
for hydrocarbon fuels, 1960’s

Does not require aspiration, unlike

Proteins

Cannot be used on polar solvents

(i.e., alcohols, acetone, methanol)

Available in 1%, 3% or 6%

Storage temperature 35OF to 120OF

-freeze-protected available to -20OF

20 to 25 years Shelf-life
 AR-AFFF Foams Alcohol Resistant- Aqueous Film
Forming Foam: Low or Medium Expansion
for polar solvent fuels, 1970’s

Multi-purpose foams created for both Polar-solvents (alcohols) & Hydrocarbons (fossil fuels).

-available in 3% or 6%

-does not require aspiration

-storage temperature 35OF to 120OF (optional freeze-protected available to -0O)

-20 to 25 year Shelf-life

High High Expansion Foam am

Detergent based foam effective on hydrocarbons only

-works by Cooling, Smothering, Penetrating and Insulating

-can be used for Local and Total Flooding applications

35OF to 120OF storage temperature range

20 year Shelf-life
Compressed Air Foam: Hybrid Low Expansion
for hydrocarbon or polar solvent fuels
Reasons to use CAF Systems:

• Water supply
• eliminate / reduce size of water tanks &
fire pumps

• Drainage / Containment
• eliminate / reduce size of drainage
systems and spill tanks, oil separators
CAF Technology
DESCRIPTION: Compressed Air Foam (CAF)

Lower design densities: TAR nozzles

4 TIMES LESS WATER

 Class “A” Foam
(also referred to as Wetting agents)

For use on Ordinary Combustibles

-examples wood, cloth, paper

Reduces surface tension of water

-making water more effective minimizing water usage for
faster extinguishment

Optional formulation available to meet U.S. Forestry

Approval for Fixed Wing Aircraft and Helicopter

35OF to 120OF temperature storage range

20 to 25 years shelf-life
 Foam Approvals

FM
Factory Mutual

UL MIL-SPEC
U.S. Department of Defense
Underwriters Laboratories Military Specifications

USCG & Many other Geographic Specific Approvals

 Foam Terminology
Foam Terminology
FOAM • As Purchased from
CONCENTRATE: Manufacturer

FOAM • Concentrate
Proportioned with
SOLUTION: Water

• Air
Aspirated
FINISHED FOAM: Foam
Solution
Examples where Foam would be applicable to
Typical Applications and Design
Requirements
High-Rise Diesel Oil Storage & Generator Room

Flammable Liquid Storage & In-Rack Storage Room

Aircraft Hangar & Helicopter Landing Pad

Storage Tanks/ Containment area

Fuel Terminal Unloading Platform

Power Plant- Process/ Lubricating Oil Areas

 Foam Systems
Bladder Tanks
Pump Systems
Fire Dos Water Driven Pump
Compressed Air Foam

Modified Venturi Device

 Bladder Tanks
Typical System Arrangement

ADVANTAGES:

-Low cost vs. Pump Systems

-Wide flow range proportioning

-Simple operation

-Auxiliary power not required

DISADVANTAGES:

-Cannot refill during discharge

-Limited capacities
Bladder Tank Components
 Balanced Pressure Proportioners

Designed to meet requirements of

NFPA for closed head foam water
sprinkler systems

-UL and FM Approved

Standard Proportioner Ranges:
2” = 30 - 300 gpm -Flow Range varies from 25 gpm to
2.5” = 35 - 400 gpm 3,000 gpm
3” = 70 - 800 gpm
-Multiple zones of varying flow rates
4” = 200 - 1,600 gpm can be supplied by one proportioner
6” = 300 - 3,400 gpm
8” = 500 - 5,500 gpm
 Balanced Pressure Proportioner
Selection Min. Inlet Pressure vs. Flow
 Typical Installation
-using variable range or standard proportioners
 Typical Installation
-using variable range or standard proportioners (cont.)
Main & Reserve Bladder Tanks
NFPA 409 requirement
In-line Balanced Pressure Proportioning System
 In-Line Balanced Pressure Proportioning System

ADVANTAGES
Low cost (>2000 gallons) (7571 L)
Wide flow range (Proportioners)
Can refill during system discharge
Variable pressure range
Proportioner(s) remotely located

DISADVANTAGES
Auxiliary power required
Additional maintenance required (Pump)

Uses a High Density Polyethylene Atmospheric Tank

 In-Line Balanced Pressure Pump Proportioners
ILBP and FLOWMAX PPW Variable Range Proportioner

Benefits:

Eliminates the need for multiple ILBPs of

different sizes to accommodate a wide
range of flows

Simplifies design and installation of multi-
riser systems
• One proportioner in the header
versus one per riser
Proportioners can be remotely located • Only one concentrate line makes for
simple, clean installations
• Economical when replacing 2
or more ILBPs
Discharge Devices
Sprinklers

Nozzles

Monitors

Foam Chambers

Foam Makers

High Expansion Foam Generators

 Air-Aspirated & Standard Sprinklers

Aspiration No Aspiration

Required for Protein Enough mechanical

Foams. energy for AFFF
applications but not
When used with suitable for protein
AFFF, foam becomes applications.
less mobile but have
a longer drain time.
Standard Heads

NFPA 11,16,30
Discharge Device & Foam Compatibility

Chapter 3
 Monitors
Options:
Oscillating
Fixed
Self-Educting
Remote Control
Built-in Nozzles
Foam Maker
Fixed High Expansion Foam Generators
 High Expansion

Outside Air Inside Air

Foam Chamber
 System Design:
Determine the applicable NFPA code or Insurance
Company and select foam agent for application
• Class B
Flammable Liquids
– Polar Solvents, such as
Alcohol, Acetone??
– Hydrocarbon Fuels such as
Oil, Gasoline, Jet Fuel ??
– Review MSDS
 NFPA Standards & FM Global Data Sheets
-typically used for design and installation of foam systems

• NFPA 11: Standard for Low-, Medium-, and High-Expansion Foam

• FM DS 4-03N Medium and High Expansion Foam Systems
• FM DS 4-07N Low Expansion Foam Systems
• NFPA 16: Standard for the Installation of Foam-Water Sprinkler Systems
• FM DS 4-12 Foam-Water Sprinkler Systems

• NFPA 30: Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code

• NFPA 409: Standard on Aircraft Hangars
• NFPA 418: Standard on Helipad Protection
• NFPA 25: Inspection & Maintenance
 New York City Code Process
Building Code & Fire Code City of New York

NFPA 13 & Building Code Appendix Q

NFPA 13 “Special Occupancy Hazards” Section Flammable &

Combustible Liquids

NFPA 30 “Protection of Flammable and Combustible Liquids

Code”
NFPA 11 “Standard for Low-, Medium-, and High-Expansion
Foam” & NFPA 16 Standard for the Installation of Foam-Water
Sprinkler Systems
 Low Expansion Foam Water
Sprinkler System Calculation
Bladder Tank Sizing Calculation

Q(FOAM Qty in Gal) = Q (SPRINKLER FLOW IN

GPM) X FOAM CONC. % X DURATION (MIN)
 Low Expansion Foam Sprinkler
System Design Example
• Diesel Storage Room in a NYC High-Rise.
• Room Dimensions 40 FT (L) x 40 FT (W) x 10 FT
(H)
• ANSULITE 3% AFFF, TYCO TY3131 UPRIGHT
K5.6 SPRINKLER
• BLADDER TANK AND BALANCED PRESSURE
PROPORTIONER
 Low Expansion Foam Sprinkler
System Design Example (Cont.)
• Minimum Density per Tyco Datasheet for 3%
AFFF for Tyco TY3131 for Hydrocarbon fuel
and NFPA 16 is 0.16 gpm/sqft for 10 Minute
Duration.
• Room Area 40 FT (L) x 40 FT (W) = 1,600 sqft
• Q(Foam) = Q(0.16 x 1,600sqft) x 0.03 x 10 min
• Q(Foam) = 76.8 gallons of Ansulite AFFF 3%
NFPA 25- Testing & Maintenance

SCOPE
This document establishes the minimum
requirements for periodic inspection, testing, and
maintenance of water-based fire protection
systems.
Contains requirements for Foam-Water Sprinkler
Systems.
 Foam Solution Concentration Testing
Conductivity vs. Refractive Index

• Conductivity and Refractive Index are two accepted

methods that compare collected foam solution to
premeasured samples to determine foam solution
concentration. NFPA 11 allows an acceptable range
for the sample to test at the rated concentration and
up to 30% above the rated concentration.
• Conductivity uses an electric meter to measure the
ability of the foam solution to conduct current.
• Refractive Index uses a handheld refractometer to
determine the refractive index of the foam sample.
 Presentation Review
• Q. Primarily, what type of fire/hazard is foam
ideal to protect against?
• Q. What are the three components needed to
create fire protection foam?
• Q. What are the three expansion categories of
foam?
• Q. What does AFFF stand for?
• Q. How does foam suppress a fire?
• Q. Should standard 3% AFFF foam concentrate be
used to protect against an Isopropyl Alcohol fire?
QUESTIONS?
 Resources
• Ansul
Tyco Fire Protection Products
One Stanton Street
Marinette, WI 54143-2542
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_fighting_foam