FOAM SYSTEM

Firefighting foam is a foam used for fire suppression. Its role is to cool the fire and to coat the
fuel, preventing its contact with oxygen, resulting in suppression of the combustion.

There are five types of Foam System:

A. Gas System- FM200: Gas systems are stored as liquid, with nitrogen used to pressurize
it. When released the FM200 chemical agent has a chemical reaction with the fire
and extinguishes it. This type of system is best suited to data rooms, switch rooms or
communication rooms.

Advantages

1. Stored as a liquid so takes up less space.

2. Easy to install because the cylinder is usually in the same room.
3. No reduction of oxygen so it is safe for humans on discharge.

Disadvantages

1. FM200 does not travel well (because of the pressure) or is rarely cost effective
over inert gases if it is a large room or the gas requires diverting to different
areas/rooms. You need to store the cylinders as close to the application as possible.
2. Some companies are saying it’s a potential future banned gas as it is a hydro
fluoride chloride (HFC) – we have had clients who insist on an inert gas because of
this. In fact Dupont, who manufacture FM200, are actively giving guarantees to
replace the gas (less installation) if the ban becomes active in the next 20 years.

B. Kitchen Fire Suppression – Chemical Foam (Amerex, Ansul etc): This system is specifically
designed for commercial kitchens. Nozzles are placed under the cooker canopies
and will propel a water-based agent with a chemical foam type mix over the risk. The
trigger is usually a heat link or manual pull switch.

Advantages:

1. Easy to use
2. No damage
3. No electronics/electrical work on most systems
 Disadvantages:

1. As some kitchens take hours to cool down, the install usually has take place late
at night when the kitchens are not working.
2. Expensive & can take longer to clean up compared to water mist
3. Have to use stainless steel pipe-work and fittings
4. No British Standards to work to

C. Water Mist System: Water mist systems are commonly replacing sprinklers in big
data rooms, other large areas and local applications. These systems can be used for
flammable liquids and electrical rooms, the mist evaporates and causes a starving of
oxygen effect rather than cooling.

Advantages:

1. Agent is cheap or free so it’s not expensive to cover a large area, and it’s also
quick and easy to replace after discharge.
2. No mess and flooding – when compared to chemical kitchen fire suppression and
sprinklers.
3. No large water storage or pump power requirements – when compared to
sprinklers that need large pumps (sometimes with back up) and tank reservoirs.

Disadvantages:

1. No British Standards apply and there are few manufacturers and distributors.
2. Still not widely recognized as an alternative to sprinkler and gas.

D. Foam Deluge System: Foam deluge systems are mainly suitable for large

applications where you cannot use water or gas. These tend to be external such as
transformers, oil tanks and oil storage silo’s. A simple sprinkler type application
disperses a foam concentrate mixed with the water to provide the typical expanding
agent (the same as with extinguishers).

Advantages:

1. Good for external areas.

2. Covers large areas.
3. Protects flammables liquids – airports, aircraft hangers, oil storage.

Disadvantages:

1. Wet agent so you to need to consider the electrical risk.

2. Messy – clean up required.
 E. Pneumatic Heat Detection System: This is essentially an extinguisher with a valve
and a length of heat detection tube which acts as the detection and propellant feed
for the agent. When the temperature reaches a certain level around the pipe it blows
a small-pressurized hole in the pipe, which then propels the agent directly onto the
risk. This suppression system is ideal for boats, vehicles, small machinery, electrical
switch cabinets and fume cupboards.

Advantages
1. Small amount of agent required as it’s assumed it will attack the fire at
smouldering stage
2. Low install and maintenance cost – no moving or electrical parts, no pipe work
and only a small amount of agent required
3. Can install in small intricate areas such as machinery
4. Mobile – can take out and install elsewhere

Disadvantages

1. Cannot guarantee it will work if the fire is large

2. No standards to design/install to
3. Not a high spec solution
4. Difficult to cover large area (high ceilings, rooms)