All you need to know about Fire Fighting Foams
Firefighters are confronted with an increasing amount of hazardous and flammable liquids and dangers from vapours. From road accidents to industrial accidents, many circumstances can lead to flammable liquids or dangerous vapour incidents. The fire fighting foams is made of tiny bubbles that are less dense than the majority of flammable liquids and water. Foam is a cooling and blanketing agent created by mixing air in a solution resulting in a mixture of foam concentrate and water.
Fire Protection Foam, commonly referred to as Foam Fire Fighting System, is a method of fighting fires where water is not utilized. In some instances, water may trigger spreading fire, such as electric fires or petroleum-based fires. In this case, fire fighting foam protection is crucial and must be available, and water shouldn’t be used for this purpose.
The fire fighting foams are ideal for putting out the fire. It is made from a pre-mixed solution (a proportion of foam concentrate and water) which is mixed with air. A solid foam blanket spreads over the fuel and then adheres to the surfaces. Certain types of foam create an emulsion over the surface of the fuel and can seal the vapours. Foam that fights fires stops oxygen from coming into contact with the fuel and causes fire suppression. Also, the foam has a significant cooling effect and prevents the possibility of re-ignition.
To set aside the fire, the foam used to fight fires is used in two ways:
- The separation effect: The foam blanket blocks the oxygen supply to the flammable substance and blocks combustion by preventing the process of evaporation.
- Cooling effect: A significant amount of energy is needed to transform the foam blanket’s water into vapour. This helps in decreasing or eliminating the energy required by combustion. Water vapour is a cooling agent for the fire when heated up and blocks thermal radiation that could increase the level of flame.
Final Words
Fighting fires can be complex and labour-intensive. However, by introducing the use of foam systems in emergency actions, fire departments can save time, money, and resources by using the more efficient method of fire fighting.
By understanding the needs of a fire department, the fire fighting foam supplier can help decide which foam system is best suited to the requirements of a department. There are many foam system manufacturers to fire departments, and without guidance, it is challenging to select the correct foam system for your needs and environment.
