In areas where flammable and flammable liquids are present, foam extinguishing systems should be preferred rather than water extinguishing systems.
The reason for this is that water extinguishing systems are insufficient for extinguishing in these areas and do not meet the needs.
Foam fire extinguishing – foam fire extinguishing is very effective in extinguishing class B fires.
In other words, foam extinguishing systems are frequently used in extinguishing fires caused by flammable liquids.
Foam fire extinguishing systems are divided into different classes.
One of them, the foam sprinkler system, is among the automatic systems and helps to extinguish the fire as soon as possible.
Features such as their specific usage areas and the ability to intervene in the fire from many points at the same time are among the advantages of foam extinguishing systems.
What are the Fires Suitable for Extinguishing with Foam?
Foam extinguishing systems, extinguishing with water are used in many types of fires where they are inadequate and dysfunctional.
These systems are integrated into hazardous areas and the danger is reduced.
Fires that are suitable to be extinguished using foam are fires caused by flammable and combustible liquids, usually called Class B fires.
Foam fire extinguishing is preferred especially in fires with no embers and only flames.
Since there are no embers and only flames, these fires are suffocated and neutralized with the help of foam.
Therefore, foam extinguishing can help to get the best efficiency in suitable areas.
Foam extinguishing system is not preferred especially in electrical fires due to the presence of water.
What are the Features of Foam Fire Extinguishing Systems?
Foam fire extinguisher and sprinkler system, thanks to its features, extinguishes the fire quickly by suffocating it.
The general features of the systems are as follows:
- Unlike water, the density of the foam used is lower than that of the burning liquid.
It therefore provides buoyancy, thus creating a tight and hole-free layer. - The layer formed by the foam fire extinguishing system prevents oxygen from reaching the flammable and combustible liquid to suffocate the fire.
- Foam sprinklers can also prevent gas leakage as they suffocate and suppress the fire in this way.
- The water content in the foam is very high.
In this way, the surface of the fuel and the metals it comes into contact with cool down quickly.
Thus, the fire becomes more controllable thanks to foam fire extinguishing.
In addition to these features, foam extinguishing systems, which have many features, can be used in all other risky areas, especially flammable flammable liquid storages.
Foam fire extinguishing system design should also be carried out by competent people in line with the features.
Foam Sprinkler System Usage Areas
Foam sprinklers are one of the preferred systems in many hazardous areas.
General usage areas of foam sprinkler systems can be listed as follows:
- Aircraft hangars
- Tank sites
- Helicopter hangars
- Pharmaceutical factories
- Paint factories
- Food factories
- Fuel stations
- Tanks with chemical substances
- Flammable and combustible liquid storages
Foam sprinklers are suitable for use in many other areas where flammable and combustible liquids are present and where Class B fires occur.
Foam sprinkler systems have different features depending on the type of system and the type of foam used.
Automatic Foam Sprinkler System
Each automatic foam sprinkler system, which is divided into three as wet pipe, dry pipe and pre-action system, has a different working principle.
In the wet pipe system, there is continuous water in the installation.
At the moment of fire, water is passed with the help of a proportioner and the foam line is opened.
Foamy water is obtained with water mixed with foam in a certain ratio.
In dry pipe system, dry alarm valve is preferred at the installation entrance.
Unlike the wet pipe system, the dry alarm valve is kept under pressure with the help of water.
In the pre-action system, there is no mixture of foam and water in the pipes.
Mechanical verification or electricity is required for the water to drain.
It is another type of dry pipe system.
Flood Foam Sprinkler System
The dominant foam sprinkler system sprays the foam into the fire in a very short time.
The dominant foam sprinkler, which is activated by the fire detection system, responds to the fire in a very short time.
These systems ensure that the water is discharged from the sprinkler heads to the entire protected area as a result of the activation of the valve controlling the flow of water.
Aircraft hangars are the most common area of use for these systems.
Protein Based Foam Sprinkler System
RP is also known as foaming liquid.
Protein base suitable for use with dry chemical foam concentratesdiluted with 3-6% water to form solutions.
Synthetic Based Foam Sprinkler System
Direct application of synthetic based foams on fire is limited to portable nozzle application.
The most common areas of use are storage areas for flammable and combustible liquids.
Film Forming Foam Sprinkler System
Film-forming foams, also known as FFFP, are diluted with 3-6% water.
FFP, which contains a type of protein that prevents bacterial degradation and stabilizes inhibitors, is used in combination with the dry chemical.
Alcohol Resistant Foam Sprinkler System
AR foam concentrate is used in the range of 3-6% depending on the area to be protected and the type of concentration.
There are three types of these concentrates: natural polymer based, synthetic concentrate based and natural polymer based with gelling agent.
With Evenos’ foam fire extinguishing systems, you can benefit from maximum fire protection and get support from experienced and competent personnel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is a foam fire extinguisher used?
Foam extinguishing systems are generally used in hangars and facilities, especially in flammable flammable liquid storages.
How does foam put out a fire?
Foam forms a non-perforated layer on the burning surface and suffocates the flame by cutting the fire’s contact with oxygen.
It also cools the burning surface and prevents re-ignition by preventing gas leakage.