Engineering

Foams
Notes f/ SFPE Handbook Article

Prpare pour :
Nom
Socit

Date :
Le jj/mm/200x
Agenda

AFFF : aqueous Film

Protein Fluoroprotein
Forming

Yes Automatic bullets Automatic bullets

Mechanical

No aqueous film Not on hydrocarbon fuels, but Automatic bullets

Film forming reduces the surface tension of
the solution which decreases
the viscosity of the expanded
solution

Yes Yes Yes

Vapor exclusion

Dry chemical - Yes Automatic bullets

compatibility

Hydrolized protein and Protein foams with Perfluoroctyl Group :

Principle
iron salts fluorocarbon surface hydrophobic
active agents
Less viscous

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 No proper theory for foam spreading

UL Standard 162 : Standard for Foam Equipment and Liquid Concentrates

Objects : FOAM + Discharge Device
Classification : Type I, II, or III
Type I : delivers foam gently onto the flammable liquid surface, for example, a foam trough
along the inside of a tank wall. NO LONGER EVALUATED IN UL162
Type II : delivers in a manner that results in submergence of the foam below the fuel surface,
and restricted agitation at the fuel surface. Examples include subsurface injection systems,
tank wall-mounted foam chambers, and applications where foam is bounced off the wall of a
tank
Type III discharge device deliver directly onto the liquid surface and cause general agitation
at the fuel surface

The fact that the system has passed the test does not mean it has been tested under all potential
end-use conditions :
The UL Fire Protection Equipment Directory must be referenced to determine w/ what
equipment the concentrate has been tested and approved
UL 162 is not an agent specification : no requirements for physical properties, such as film
formation and sealability, and corrosion resistance, or, on a large scale, the degree of dry
chemical compatibility of an agent, or the effect of aging or mixing w/ agents of another
manufacturer

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New aircraft hangar fire protection concept

All military branched have had problems due to false activations :

Lightning strikes that introduce transient voltage spikes into the alarm system
Water hammer in aging underground water distribution systems
Accidental releases by maintenance personnel, vandalism, accidental
activation of manual pull stations
Failure of pressure relief valves at pumping stations
Roof water leakage into over-head heat detection
False activation of fire detection systems

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New aircraft hangar fire protection concept

Alternative design : Low Level AFF Monitor Nozzle AFFFsystems

Goal : to reduce extinguishment time where shielded fires may occur
Concept later extended to include side mounted nozzles and discharge outlets,
and flush mounted nozzles installed in a floor or deck
Use of monitors or turret nozzles

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New aircraft hangar fire protection concept

Alternative design : Low Level AFF Monitor Nozzle AFFFsystems

Goal : to reduce extinguishment time where shielded fires may occur
Concept later extended to include side mounted nozzles and discharge outlets,
and flush mounted nozzles installed in a floor or deck
Use of monitors or turret nozzles

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Foam components

AFFF
Tensioactifs fluors (fluorinated surfactants ):
- Groupe perfluoroctyle : hydrophobe et oliophobe
- Autre ct : hydrophile
Tensioactifs hydrocarbons : moins hydrophobes, mais plus stables

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Foam components

Profil PBT . Les radicaux perfluors ne sont pas dgrads

Persistance

Bioaccumulation

Toxicit

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Coefficient d'talement

~ constant

Heptane 19,8-20,9 dyne/cm

Les tensions de surface des AFFF sont presque toutes les mmes : il faut donc jouer sur la tension interfaciale
Il y a toutefois un lien entre la tension de surface du tensioactif et la tension interfaciale

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