Foam generator systems, which mix chemicals and water into foam, provide the opportunity to intervene in fires that start in remote or blind spots thanks to their portable models.
Foam extinguishing systems, which offer effective solutions where general extinguishing systems cannot reach, are produced with a hose assembly that helps the foam to be applied to the fire.
Thus, it is possible to intervene quickly in the fire.
What is a Foam Generator?
Protein or synthetic-based, film-forming and alcohol-resistant foam generator systems are tools that extinguish flammable liquid and fuel fires.
Automatic or manual system different models Available.
What is the Intended Use of Foam Generator Systems?
The purpose of foam generators is to help the foam expand with high expansion foam generators, to cover the inside of the area with foam and to prevent the fire from contacting the air and to extinguish it quickly.
The generators, which have a vacuum system, consist of auxiliary apparatus for easy mixing of water and chemical products.
What are the Uses of High Expansion Foam Generators?
High expansion foam systems work on the basis of simultaneous discharge of the foam mixture to the entire application area with the signal from the detection system.
The trigger signal can be of different types such as hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical or mixed.
In this type of systems, there is also a manual intervention station.
There is no fusible connection apparatus or glass pipe at the ends of the foam generator applicators.
In generators using outdoor air, there should be gaps to allow fresh air or a special ventilation system should be designed.
These are not required for systems using in-place air.
High expansion foam generator products can have hydraulically driven or electric motorized fans, while some models can also be preferred in designs where the foam and water mixture is expanded with a sieve.
Fan models work with durable mounting feet.
High expansion foam generators are used in indoor/outdoor facilities where flammable, combustible liquids or gases are stored or processed.
These are as follows:
- Solvent or hydrocarbon storage sites
- Ship engine rooms
- Cargo areas
- Aircraft and helicopter hangars
- LNG storage facilities
- Paint production facilities
- Production areas
- Overflow pools
- Jet engine test facilities
Classification of Fire Extinguishing Foams According to Expansion Rate
The foam concentrations used in the generators are selected according to the type of foam, expansion rate, back-burning time and extinguishing time of the foam and made suitable for the area where it will be used.
Foam concentration ratios ranging from 3% to 6% are divided into three according to the expansion rate of the foam:
- Low expansion foams: Expansion ratio 1/1-20/1
- Medium expansion foams: Expansion ratio 20/1 – 200/1
- High expansion foams: Expansion ratio 200/1-800/1
Foam types are used for different fire scenarios.
Low-expansion foams are applied on the surface of liquids, while medium-expansion ones are ideal for toxic vapors or fumes.
High expansion foams are preferred for three-dimensional fires or liquid spewing fires.
What are the Technical Specifications of Foam Generators?
Foam generator systems should have the following technical specifications:
- The design criteria of the extinguishing system should be made according to the principles specified in NFPA 11A standards.
- The foam tank used in the system, proportioner, generator, valves and foam concentrate It must be CE certified, designed in accordance with European norms and the latest technology.
- The working pressure of the generator must be in the range of minimum 8, maximum 16 bar and 80m3/min flow rate.
- Systems should be galvanized or stainless steel and nozzles should be brass.
- The concentrate in the generator must be synthetic and 3% blend.
- The system’s relief valve must be designed to be electrically activated, UL listed and FM approved.
- The foam proportioner of the generator must have a capacity of 1600 lt/min.
- The foam tank should be 1500 liters and designed in diaphragm type, and accessories such as pressure gauges, water and foam inlet / outlet valves and discharge valves should be complete.
The product with carbon steel body should be painted with RAL 300 red epoxy paint. - The fire booster set must have a flow rate of 115 m3/h and a pressure of 9 bar.
What Are the Situations Where Foam Generators are Auxiliary Extinguishing Systems?
Foams in foam generators expand rapidly when they come into contact with air.
Foams, which have the ability to spread over a wider area in the fire zone, can be used for fire intervention in very large areas in terms of volume.
When foam generators are used in places where the fire may grow, they cover the entire area where the flare-up is likely to grow with foam, cutting off the contact of the area with the air.
The long-lasting foam mixture also prevents the fire from re-igniting and spreading.
In many fire incidents, it has been observed that the fire reignites when cooling efforts are started.
In areas where foam generators are used, this possibility is completely eliminated.
High expansion foam systems show effective performance in areas such as fire departments, marinas, civil defense production facilities, chemical production warehouses, generator rooms, storage areas, ports and piers.
Generators are also used as auxiliary extinguishing systems in these areas.
These generators, which are produced in accordance with EU standards, are delivered in accordance with the regulation and control procedures are carried out.
You can determine the most suitable product for your business needs among the foam generator systems offered by Evenos with experts, and you can secure your business against the risk of fire with safe systems designed in EU standards.
You can also contact Evenos’ expert team at any time for any kind of technical support and service you can ask for help.