Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (AFFF)

These foam concentrates consist of fluorocarbon surfactants, solvents and foam stabilizers. When mixed with water in the correct proportion, the mixture makes a very fluid foam, which will flow rapidly over the fuel’s surface. As the expanded foam mass begins draining, an aqueous film is formed that helps prevent the further release of any fuel vapors. These foams are available in 1%, 3% and 6% proportioning ratios.

Alcohol-resistant AFFF

These foams are high efficient, multi purpose, aqueous film forming foams which are resistant to breakdown by alcohol based fuels hence the term “Alcohol Resistant”. They are designed to form a vapor suppressing aqueous film on the fuel surface when applied on hydrocarbon based fuels. When applied to polar solvents or water miscible type fuels they form a polymeric membrane on the fuel surface. They generally have a duel-proportioning ratio and are available in 1%-3%, 3%-3% and 3%-6% ratios. The first number being the proportioning ration to be used when applied to hydrocarbon fuels such as gasoline, diesel fuel, etc. and the second when applied to water miscible/polar solvent fuels such as ethanol, methanol, Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether (MTBE), methyl-ethyl-ketone, etc.

High Expansion Foam

These foams are a multi-purpose concentrate that forms an effective vapor barrier on hazardous material spills and are often used on 3 dimensional hazards in fire fighting situations. It is also used for fire extinguishments. These foams are a synthetic based formulation comprised of surfactants, solvents and stabilizers for use with medium and high expansion discharge devices. When proportioned correctly and used with the approved discharge devices, expansion ratios of up to 1000:1 can be obtained. They have also demonstrated fire control and vapor reduction capabilities with contained LNG and other hazardous low boiling gaseous product spills.

Typically the most common foams in use today are synthetic and have a shelf life of 20-25 years. They can be used with any of the proportioning equipment available today such as balanced pressure bladder tank systems, balanced pressure and in-line balanced pressure foam pump systems and line proportioners (eductors).

Balanced Pressure Proportioning – Bladder Tank Type

Balanced pressure bladder tank systems utilize a proportioner with a bladder tank. The bladder tank consists of a steel shell complying with ASME specifications and an internal rubber bladder. This system requires no outside source of power other than the fire fighting water supply. These tanks are available in both horizontal and vertical configurations in capacities of up to 8000 gallons and can be used with any type of foam concentrate. These systems are normally pressurized and cannot be recharged during operation.

These systems utilize a foam-proportioning skid that includes the foam pump, proportioner and all necessary valves to accurately proportion the foam concentrate into the water stream in conjunction with an atmospheric foam storage tank. To obtain the correct and accurate proportioning these systems use a diaphragm balancing valve that bypasses unneeded foam concentrate back to the storage tank. The tank is not pressurized and can be recharged during operation.

In-line Balanced Pressure Proportioner

The in-line balanced pressure proportioner is used with a positive displacement foam pump and atmospheric storage tank. The in-line unit is a completely self-contained assembly with all necessary devices including the proportioner and diaphragm balancing valve. The unit can be skid mounted with the foam pump or multiple units can be remotely located and supplied by a single foam pump to protect several hazard areas.

Line Proportioners

Line Proportioners, sometimes referred to as Eductors a simple, economical device used to proportion foam. Line Proportioners are a constant flow device that will accurately proportion foam concentrate at a specific flow rate. Line Proportioners are usually portable devices but with special consideration they can be used in a fixed system. Because of there design they generally require inlet pressures in excess of 100 psi.

All of the above types of proportioning systems/devices can be used with any type of foam concentrate.

Warehouses – Flammable Liquid Storage

Foam-Water Sprinkler System – AFFF & Alcohol Type AFFF
High Expansion Foam System

Overhead Foam-Water Sprinkler System – AFFF
Overhead Foam-Water Deluge System – AFFF
Under Wing Foam System – AFFF
High Expansion Foam System

Offshore Platforms

Foam-Water Deluge System – AFFF & Alcohol Type AFFF

Helideck

Foam Monitor/Hand line System - AFFF