Transcript HIGH EXPANSION FOAM SYSTEM What is a Hi-Ex Foam System? High expansion foam system is a foam deluge system that delivers the foam.

HIGH EXPANSION FOAM SYSTEM
What is a Hi-Ex Foam System?
High expansion foam system is a foam deluge system that delivers the
foam solution, (foam concentrate and water mixture), to a discharge
device known as a hi-ex foam generator. Hi-Ex Foam concentrate and
water are mixed in the correct proportion by various methods to form a
foam solution. This solution flows to the Hi-Ex Foam Generator with a
water powered motor then discharged through a nozzle onto a fine mesh
stainless steel screen.
What is Fire Fighting Foam?
 Fire Fighting Foam is basically a stable mass of small, air-filled
bubbles that has a lower density than oil, petrol, or water.
 It comprises three essential elements: The
foam concentrate
 Water
 Air
 The foam concentrate is injected into the water by means of a
foam concentrate proportioning unit, and the resulting blend is
fed to a foam generator. In most cases this is located at the
end of the pipe or hose that is used to deliver the mixture. The
foam generator sucks-in air, which combines with the liquid
mixture to create the fire fighting foam.
How foam works ?
 The foam has a low density, as such the foam readily floats on
a fire’s fuel surface or completely fills the enclosed protected
area to extinguish the fire by separating the fuel from the
oxygen in what are called “total volume filling” applications.
 The foam completely smothers the fire, while its high water
content provides effective cooling to reduce the fire’s heat
energy.
Categories of foam - characterized by the volume of foam.
 Low-expansion or Low-Ex foam; expansion factor of up to
20.
 Medium-expansion or Med-Ex foam; expansion factor
between 20 and 200.
 High-expansion or Hi-Ex foam; expansion foam has a factor
higher than 200 as high as 1100.
How Hi-Ex Foam works?
 Hi-Ex Foam completely fill and engulf the area in which the fire
has occurred and has a “mass effect”, effectively isolating the
entire fire area and extinguishing a fire in several ways as follows.
The water within the foam is turned into steam and contributes towards
a rapid cooling of the fire.
The steam also acts as an inerting agent and reduces the oxygen
content of the air.
The isolating characteristic of Hi-Ex Foam prevents heat from
spreading and setting other objects alight.
Foam also prevents flammable gases from spreading and igniting.
Why use Hi-Ex Foam (HEF) ?
 HEF provides total system reliability that insures system operation
whenever it is called upon to work... all solid-state supervision makes
system totally self-monitoring including motor windings.
 HEF reduces total site fire protection costs.
 HEF systems are water-saving systems... they use a minimum amount of
water (small volume and very low pressure) to do a maximum job-any
water used is used more efficiently.
 HEF does not destroy product (primarily because of lower water
content).
 HEF does limit smoke damage, and because of the detergent properties
of the foaming agent, it provides a self-cleaning effect.
 HEF, itself, due to its non-corrosive nature, is easy to clean up... leaves
no messy, sticking residue.
 HEF, also, provides a thermal insulating barrier for personnel and
product protection.
 HEF is a volumetric, 3 dimensional fire fighter... it can get around all
obstacles and lends itself easily to total flooding or local application.
Application Features
Continue…….
 On local application, a couple of feet of HEF will extinguish a 2
dimensional fire.
 HEF is as effective on alcohol and LNG as it is on hydrocarbons such as
gasoline, kerosene, JP-4, etc.
 HEF can extinguish flaming liquid 3D fires.
 HEF extinguishes fire as well inside as outside, in subzero or tropical
climates, and at high or low altitudes.
 The all new high expansion foam by Chemguard can be used for truly
modern fire protection in warehouses and high rack storage areas, for
commodities such as rubber tires, rolled paper, plastics, paints, etc....in
bulk storage areas...in conveyor tunnels, coal mines, and diked areas...in
electric power plants for protection on gas turbine peak loading stations,
coal handling equipment tunnels, auxiliary warehouses, etc... and in
aircraft hangars, process plants of all types, and in shipboard use.
Components of HEF System
 High Ex Foam Generator
 Ratio Controller
 Bladder Tank
 High-Ex Foam Concentrate
 Plus miscellaneous swing checks and ball valves & water supply of
required capacity.
Hi-Expansion Foam Generator
A High-Expansion Foam generator
is main component. It is used to
create the Hi-Ex Foam, and this
usually incorporates a fan that
ensures the required amount of
fresh air is available for the foam
production. This fan can be driven
by a electric motor, engine, or by a
water turbine.
Hi-Ex Foam System Application
•Aircraft hangars – both civil and military
•Hazardous waste storage facilities
•Flammable liquid stores and flammable
material production facilities
•Cable tunnels
•Turbine generators
•Paper product and tyre warehouses
•Engine test cells
•Ship’s holds and engine rooms
•Transformer rooms
Fire Incidence at Aircraft Hanger
Applicable Standards in US for Hi-Ex Foam in Aircraft
Hangers
•NFPA 409
•NFPA 11
•Military ETL
•Insurance Provider
Aircraft Hangar Groups as per NFPA 409
Group I Hangar
 Aircraft access door height over 28 ft (8.5m)
 Single fire area in excess of 40,000 sq. ft. (3,716 sq. m.)
 Housing an aircraft with a tail height over 28 ft (8.5m)
 Housing strategically important military aircraft as determined by
Department of Defense
Group II Hangar
 Aircraft access door height 28 ft (8.5m) or less.
 A single fire area for specific types of construction in accordance with Table 4.1.2
of NFPA 409
Group III Hangar
 Aircraft hangar with both of the following:
- Aircraft access door height 28 ft (8.5m) or less;
- Single fire area up to the maximum permitted for specific types of
construction as defined in Table 4.1.3 of NFPA 409
Chemguard - Alaknanda HEF Benefits
 Lowest Breakdown Factor (RS)
 High CFM Output Per Generator
 Fewer Generators Required – less generators, installation,
louver & other material cost
 No Strainer Required
 Lowest Proportioning (2% ) – smaller tanks & foam
concentrate quantity required.
 Design and after sale service available in India.
Installations in India
First High Expansion Foam System is installed in Indian Air
Force at Hindan Air Base for protection of maintenance
hangers of recently acquired transport aircraft from Lockheed
Martin by Government of India.
The system was designed, supplied and commissioned by
M/s Alaknanda Systems, Lucknow.
Thank You
Asia Pacific Region
Sam Chan
Senior Manager Asia Pacific Region
Based in Singapore
Corporate Address
204 S. 6th Avenue
Mansfield, TX USA 76063
Office: 065.6270.7992
Mobile: 065.9748.7489
Fax: 1.817.473.0606
[email protected]
Tom Leach
Sales/Engineering Support Asia Pacific Region
Office: 1.817.473-9964 x214
Mobile: 1.817.371.8237
[email protected]
SYSTEM INSTALLER
INDIA
Alaknanda Systems
531/10, Garden Road
Bara Chandgunj
Lucknow 226 024
[email protected]
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