HIGH EXPANSION

FOAM SYSTEM
12DE

1004
1005
1006
1007

Saiesh
Brembley
Russell
Mukesh

THE FIRE TRIANGLE

Three components
required for combustion

Fuel

to vaporize and burn

Oxygen to combine with fuel vapour
Heat to raise the temperature of the fuel
vapour to its ignition temperature.

Two important factors to remember in

preventing and extinguishing a fire:

i) If any of the three components are missing, then a

fire cannot start.

ii) If any of the three components are removed, then

the fire will go out.

THE FIRE TETRAHEDRON

solid figure with four triangular faces

shows the chain reaction and each face touches the
other three faces.
The basic difference - illustrates how flaming
combustion is supported and sustained through the
chain reaction of the oxidation process.

VARIOUS SYSTEMS USED ONBOARD FOR FIGHTING

FIRE

HIGH EXPANSION FOAM SYSTEM

CO2 SYSTEM
SPRINKLER & SPRAYER SYSTEM
HALON SYSTEM

WHAT

IS FOAM

combination of three materials:

Water
Air
Foam making agent
formed by mixing the foam-making agent with water
to create a foam solution.
foam bubbles created by introducing air into the foam
solution through aerating devices.
Two most common concentrations are 3% and 6%
foams.

HOW IS FOAM GENERATED ?

A constant amount of foam concentrate is added to

water by means of a proportioner.
The resulting mixture of water/foam concentrate is
expanded with air in the foam generator.

FAN

SPRAY NOZZLE

NYLON MESH

AIR IN

SEA WATER EDUCTOR

FOAM CONCENTRATOR

TO ENGINE ROOM

THE INDUCTION RATE

specifies the percentage ratio of foam concentrate

added to water.

At 3% induction rate, for example, 3 parts of foam

concentrate are mixed with 97 parts of water.

FILM FORMATION
Aqueous film
(AFFF effect)

The foam produces a very thin aqueous film on non

polar liquids
This film floats ahead of the foam and provides for its
excellent flowing, extinguishing and re-ignition
inhibiting properties.

Polymer film

produced by the polymer film formers contained in the

foam when extinguishing polar hydrocarbons (e.g
alcohols, ketones, ester).
The film floats as an insulating protective layer
between the foam destroying alcohol and the foam cover
above.

HOW FOAM EXTINGUISHES FIRE ?

o

Separating effect

The closed foam cover separates the combustion zone

from the ambient air.
o

Cooling effect

The flammable material is cooled down by the water/

foam solution discharged by the foam.

o Cover effect
The closed foam cover stops any further gas evaporation
from burning materials, i.e. flammable gases
foam forms a blanket on the surface of flaming liquids
o Repression effect
Flooding spaces, channels, plant parts, etc. with high or
medium expansion foam represses the atmospheric
oxygen and flammable gases necessary for the
combustion process.
o Insulation effect
foam insulates flammable material which has not yet
caught fire

FOAM CHARACTERISTICS

Knockdown Speed and Flow- ability to spread

across a fuel surface or around obstacles

Heat Resistance-able to resist the destructive effects

of heat radiated from any remaining fire
Vapour Suppression. capable of suppressing the
flammable vapours to break the fire triangle.

Alcohol Resistance-foam blankets that are

not alcohol-resistant will be destroyed if used
on alcohol-based cargoes.
cohesive properties- to stick together
sufficiently to establish and maintain a vapour
tight blanket
light enough-to float on flammable liquids,
yet heavy enough to resist winds

TYPES OF FOAMS
Chemical

foam

formed by mixing together a solution of an alkali, an

acid, water and a stabilizer.
forms a foam or froth of bubbles filled with carbon
dioxide gas.
7 to 16 volumes of foam are produced for each volume
of water.
Needs a device called a foam hopper or separate tanks

 Mechanical (Air) Foam

produced by mixing a foam concentrate
with water to produce a foam solution.
The bubbles are formed by the
turbulent mixing of air and the foam
solution.

TYPES OF MECHANICAL FOAMS

Protein Foam
produced by the hydrolysis of waste protein material, such as
protein-rich animal waste and vegetable waste that is hydrolyzed

Fluoroprotein Foam (FP).

formed by the addition of special fluorochemical surfactants with
protein foam

Film Forming Fluoroprotein Foam (FFFP)

combination of fluorochemical surfactants with protein foam
release a film on the surface of the hydrocarbon.

 Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF)

combination of fluorochemical surfactants and synthetic foaming

agents
film spreads rapidly causing dramatic fire knockdown.

Alcohol Resistant-Aqueous Film Forming Foam

(AR-AFFF)
combination of synthetic stabilizers, foaming agents,
fluorochemicals and alcohol resistant additives
offers good burnback resistance, knockdown and high fuel
tolerance on both hydrocarbon and alcohol fuel fires.

Synthetic Foam

made up of alkyl sulfonates.

It foams more readily than the proteins and requires less water
important where the water supply is limited

CATEGORIES OF FOAM SYTEMS

Low

Expansion Foams
expansion ratio of 12:1 when mixed with air
effective in controlling and extinguishing most flammable liquid (Class
B) fires
typically used on tanker deck foam systems

Mid

Expansion Foams
expansion ratio of between about 20:1 to 100:1
truly three dimensional; it is measured in length, width, height, and
cubic feet

High-expansion

foam
designed for fires in confined spaces
Heavier than air but lighter than oil or water

LIMITATIONS ON THE USE OF FOAM

Because they are aqueous (water) solutions, foams are
electrically conductive
Like water, foams should not be used on combustiblemetal fires.
not suitable for fires involving gases and extremely low
temperature liquids.
If placed on burning liquids whose temperatures
exceed 100C (212F), the water content of the foam
may cause frothing, spattering or slopover.
Sufficient foam must be available.

ADVANTAGES OF FOAM
effective smothering agent and provides cooling effect.
sets up a vapor barrier that prevents flammable vapors
from rising
Can be used on Class A fires because of its water
content.
effective in blanketing oil spills
uses water economically

most effective extinguishing agent for fires involving

large tanks of flammable liquids.
can be made with fresh water or seawater, and hard or
soft water
does not break down readily and extinguishes fire
progressively
Foam stays in place, covers and absorbs heat from
materials that could cause re-ignition
Foam concentrates are not heavy, and foam systems do
not take up much space.

PRACTICAL ISSUES

Water

Temperature and Contaminants

more stable when generated with lower temperature water.
temperature range 1.7C to 26.7C

Combustible

Products in Air
It is desirable to take clean air into the foam nozzle at all times

Water

Pressures
Nozzle pressures should be held between 3.4 bar and 13.8 bar
(50 and 200 psi)

 Non-ignited

Spills
Where flammable liquids have spilled, fires can be prevented
by prompt coverage of the spill with a foam blanket
Electrical

Fires
not generally recommended for use on electrical fires
Vaporized

Liquids
not recommended for use on materials that react with water,
such as magnesium, titanium, potassium etc.

HIGH EXPANSION FOAM SYSTEM AND EQUIPMENT

FOAM GENERATOR

Delivers large quantity of expanded foam by blowing

air through a screen
Because of high expansion ratio requires little water

BS REQUIREMENTS FOR FOAM EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS

Design and Certification of Piping Components

All valves, fittings and piping to comply with the
applicable requirements
be suitable for the intended pressures
Pipe and Pipe Joints
the wall thickness, type and design of the pipe joints to
comply with the requirements

 Materials

materials used in the system should not to be

rendered ineffective by heat.
material to have a melting temperature higher
than the test temperature specified in an
acceptable fire test.

Pumps

should be tested in the presence of a Surveyor

Pressure

the tank is to be considered a pressure vessel and is to comply

with the requirements as applicable.

System

Vessels

Component Certification

fixed fire-extinguishing system components are to be certified.

Accordingly, components such as foam system eductors,
proportioners, monitors, nozzles, etc., are to comply with the
certification requirements

STARTING PROCEDURE

AUTOMATIC START

Stop the supply fan and exhaust fan in the E/R.

Break the Destruct plate and push the system standby switch.
Alarm sound for evacuation in the E/R.
Start the Emergency fire pump manually.
After evacuation is confirmed push the foam discharge switch.

TO STOP;

Push the system stop switch.

Stop the Emergency fire pump.

MANUALLY START AT LOCAL SIDE.

Check all Valves.
Start the Emergency fire pump.
Check pressure gauge, indicate 4 bar.
Open valve and start foam liquid pump.

TO STOP:
Stop the Emergency fire pump.
Close the valves.

EXAMPLE CALCULATION OF THE

CAPACITY OF FOAM SYSTEM FOR OIL
CARRIER SHIP
PARTICULARS
BEAM = 14.5 M

14.5 m

9m

LENGTH OF CARGO AREA = 56 M

56m
LENGTH OF LARGEST CARGO TANK = 9 M
CARGO DECK AREA = 14.5 M 56 M = 812 M2
HORIZONTAL SECTIONAL AREA OF SINGLE LARGEST
TANK = 14.5 M 9 M = 130.5 M2
PROPOSED MONITOR SPACING = 9 M
AREA PROTECTED BY LARGEST MONITOR = 9 M 14.5 M =
130.5 M2

A CASE STUDY

LESSONS LEARNT

Proper maintenance should be done including putting

back the cover

Blowing/purging the line after hydraulic pressure testing

Inspection of the foam nozzle after test

Foam line on board to be pressure tested regularly

Draining the line to prevent accumulation of water

WHERE IS HIGH EXPANSION FOAM SYSTEM USED ?

ENGINE ROOM

PURIFIER ROOM

INCINERATOR ROOM

PUMP ROOM

PACKING OF FOAM
CONCENTRATES

20 litresPlastic Can
Size (ca. cm)

38 x 38 x 18

Tara ca. kg

1,4

Suitability

Synthetic, Protein

Net weight approx

Synthetic 20 Kg, Protein 23 Kg

Stackable

2 high, to 40C, shrink-wrapped onto

a pallet

20 litresPlastic Can
Blue
Size (ca. cm)

29 x 26 x 39

Tara ca. kg

1,2

Suitability

Synthetic, Protein

Net weight approx

25 30 Kg

Stackable

2 high, to 40C, shrink-wrapped onto

200 litresValenthene
Barrel
Size (ca. cm)

60 x 90

Tara ca. kg

21

Suitability

Synthetic, Protein

Net weight approx

200 225 Kg

Stackable

2 high

1000 litresPalett
Container
Size (ca. cm)

100 x 120 x 116

Tara ca. kg

80

Suitability

Synthetic, Protein

Net weight approx

Synthetic 1040 Kg, Protein 1150 Kg

Stackable

2 high

TYPES OF HIGH EXPANSION FOAM SYSTEMS

TOTAL FLOODING SYSTEM

MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF SYSTEM AND

APPLIANCES.
Operational

readiness
To be in good order and readily available for immediate
use while the ship is in service.
Maintenance

and Testing
should be carried out in accordance with the ship's
maintenance plan.
Inspections should be carried out by the crew in
accordance with manufacturer's maintenance and
inspection guidelines

 MONTHLY TESTING AND INSPECTIONS

Verify all control and section valves are in the

proper open or closed position, and all pressure
gauges are in the proper range.

 QUARTERLY TESTING AND INSPECTIONS

Verify the proper quantity of foam

concentrate is provided in the foam
system

ovisually

ANNUAL TESTING AND INSPECTIONS.

inspect all accessible components

ofunctionally

test all fixed system audible alarms

oflow

test all water supply and foam pumps for proper pressure and
capacity

oEnsure

all piping is thoroughly flushed with fresh water after service

test all system cross connections to other sources of

water supply for proper operation;

o verify all pump relief valves, if provided, are properly

set
o examine all filters/strainers to verify they are free of
debris and contamination
o verify all control/section valves are in the correct
position

blow dry compressed air or nitrogen through the

discharge piping
confirm the pipework and nozzles of high expansion
foam systems are clear of any obstructions, debris and
contamination
take samples from all foam concentrates carried on
board and subject them to the periodical control tests
test all fuel shut-off controls connected to fireprotection systems for proper operation.

perform

FIVE-YEAR SERVICE

internal inspection of all control valves

flush

piping with fresh water, drain and purge

with air

check
test

all nozzles to prove they are clear of debris

all foam proportioners to confirm that the

mixing ratio tolerance is within +30 to -10% of the
nominal mixing ratio

TESTING OF FOAM SAMPLES

No

Type of foam concentrate

Minimum frequency

All Fixed systems except protein based nonalcoholic

Within 3 years from the date

of manufacture and every
year thereafter.

All Fixed systems of protein based nonalcoholic

Annually.

All factory-sealed portable containers

excluding protein based

Ten yearly.

All factory-sealed portable containers of

protein based concentrates

Five yearly.

All non-sealed portable containers

Within 3 years from the date

of manufacture and every

THANK YOU !