One of the most frequently used and effective agents in fire extinguishing activities is foam concentrate.
Foam concentrate types, which offer suitable solutions for different types of fires, are prepared with chemical materials in the laboratory environment and used in foam fire extinguishing systems.
Although there are many types of foam concentrates, synthetic foam and AFFF foam are among the most preferred ones.
Foam concentrates have been used for many years to extinguish fires caused by certain types of substances and causes.
Since each foam concentrate has a different range of action, it is important to determine the purpose for which the product will be used.
What are the Features of Foam Fire Extinguisher?
The first use of firefighting foams dates back to the 1900s.
The use of mechanical foams was realized approximately 30 years later.
Fire-fighting foam consists of three components: foam, water and air.
Foam solution is obtained by mixing proportioned water and foam concentrate.
The solution passes through foam-forming devices and turns into foam that cuts the fire’s contact with the air.
Quality foam fire extinguishers must have certain properties.
These features help to get the highest efficiency in fire extinguishing.
Fire extinguishing foam properties can be listed as follows in general:
- Fire extinguishing foam should be able to retain water.
- It should be able to show a high level of resistance to high temperatures.
- It must be resistant to fuel.
- It should be able to form a stable cover that does not disintegrate during application.
- It should not pass toxic and flammable vapors and should be able to form a foam blanket with these properties.
- The density of the foam should be fluid enough to cover the surface of the fuel.
How Does Foam Extinguish Fire?
Fire foam has a certain working principle.
Although it may vary according to the types of foam used, the basic working principles are almost the same.
The basic working principle of fire extinguishing foam and the stages of extinguishing the fire are as follows:
- Fire foam forms a liquid foam layer without holes.
At this stage, the foam has a different structure to water.
The density of the foam is lower than the density of the burning liquid.
Thus, it floats and forms a blanket-like layer that cuts off contact with the air. - The resulting blanket of foam prevents air, i.e. oxygen, which increases the intensity of the fire, from reaching the burning liquid.
In other words, the foam suffocates the fire. - Suppressing the fire with a layer also helps to prevent gas leakage.
On the contrary, when the gases come into contact with the atmosphere, re-oxygenation can occur and the fire can re-ignite. - With the high water content in the fire extinguishing foam, the temperature level of the fuel surface and the surrounding metals decreases rapidly.
In this way, the fire comes to a level that can be taken under control more easily. - Some types of foam contain a film-forming material.
This material prevents ignition hazards by breaking the ignition chain.
With this working principle, fire extinguishing foams ensure that fires are taken under control.
What are the Types of Foam Used in Fire Extinguishing?
Fire fighting foam types are divided into three according to their expansion rates.
Low expansion foams 20, medium expansion foams 200, high expansion foams can expand up to 800 times.
In addition to the expansion capacity, foam types have different options according to their performance and components.
In general, firefighting foam concentrates can be divided into seven basic classes.
Foam types used in fire extinguishing can be listed as follows:
- Protein Foam Concentrate: Protein foam concentrate is preferred against hydrocarbon fires.
It stands out with its heat resistance, delayed re-ignition and high stability. - Fluoroprotein Foam Concentrate: When surface active agents are added to protein foam concentrate, fluoroprotein foam concentrate is produced.
The difference from protein foam concentrate is its faster flow and downforce. - FFFP Foam Concentrate: FFFP makes an effective film on the surfaces of highly flammable and combustible hydrocarbons.
- AFFF Foam Concentrate: AFFF foam concentrate is one of the most widely used foam types.
It can be used against class A fires. - Synthetic Foam Concentrates: Synthetic foam concentrates with good fluidity and high suppressive ability are one of the most frequently used foam types.
They provide high protection for large areas.
In addition to these varieties, foam concentrates are also available in standard type and AR type.
Evenos foam concentrate varieties prepared according to international standards and designed according to the needs of the space fire extinguishing systems and keep safety and performance at the highest level with professional periodic maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is AFFF Foam?
One of the most commonly used types of firefighting foam concentrate is AFFF type foam concentrate.
This foam concentrate is produced by combining fluorochemical surfactant, aqueous film forming foams and synthetic foam builders.
Suitable for use with fresh water and sea water, AFFF type foam spreads very quickly on the surfaces of hydrocarbon fuels and accelerates fire extinguishing.
Forming a cover that does not pass flammable vapors and cooling are among its advantageous features.
What is Synthetic Foam?
Synthetic foam concentrate is produced by combining stabilizers and synthetic based foaming agents.
Synthetic foam, which can be used with medium and high expansion, is known for its good fluidity and suppression capability.
It is not preferred very often in fuel fires due to reasons such as short drainage time and long time to cover the fuel surface.
Synthetic foam provides maximum protection in large areas.
How is Synthetic Fire Extinguishing Foam Made?
Synthetic firefighting foam is produced by a combination of stabilizers and synthetic-based foam builders.
What Are the Types of Fire Extinguishing Foam?
Fire-fighting foam types include protein foam, fluoroprotein foam, FFFP, AFFF, synthetic foam concentrate, AR-type foam and each of them addresses different areas of use thanks to their different properties.