Foam Fire Suppression Systems

Foam fire suppression systems are preferred for their effective extinguishing capability in fires involving flammable and combustible liquids that cannot be extinguished with water.

Properly designed foam fire suppression systems can quickly extinguish fires in areas where flammable and combustible liquids are used or stored.

Flammable liquids have a flash point above 38°C, while combustible liquids have a flash point below 38°C.

Flammable and combustible liquids include petroleum-derived hydrocarbons and polar solvents.

Hydrocarbons are organic compounds containing only carbon and hydrogen atoms (such as gasoline, diesel fuel, fuel oil, and oils).

Polar solvents are liquids that can mix with water and are used as solvents (such as alcohol derivatives, acetone, ammonia, ethyl acetate, etc.).

Foam fire suppression systems, unlike water-based systems, create a film layer on the surface of the flammable substance, offering several advantages:

• The foam film layer cuts off the contact between fuel vapor and oxygen.

• The foam film layer prevents evaporation on the fuel surface.

• The foam film layer separates the fuel surface from the flame.

NFPA 11, NFPA 16, NFPA 30, NFPA 409, NFPA 418 are among the most commonly used standards in the design of foam fire suppression systems.

During design, local and international regulations such as the Turkish Fire Protection Regulation and the International Civil Aviation Convention are taken into account.

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• Bladder tank systems that proportion foam concentrate with their own proportioner,

• Atmospheric tank systems that proportion foam-water using self-aspirating foam inductors,

• Atmospheric tank systems that proportion foam-water using hydraulic balanced foam pumps,

• Atmospheric tank systems that proportion foam-water using turbine type foam pumps.