Achieving balance in foam performance with Perimeter Solutions
Iain Hoey
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Mark Siem, Business Development Manager at Perimeter Solutions, explores the equipment updates and foam testing required for an effective fluorine-free foam transition
The fire safety industry is increasingly focused on sustainability, closely examining the environmental impact of firefighting methods and the tools that they use to protect lives and property.
This shift in mindset has driven forward-thinking fire departments, airports and other organizations that rely on firefighting foam to transition from traditional fluorinated foams, such as aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) alcohol-resistant AFFFs and FluoroProtein foams, to fluorine-free alternatives, which offer a more sustainable solution.
However, before making the switch to synthetic fluorine-free foam (SFFF), organizations must consider several important factors and gain a clear understanding of the technical and logistical factors associated with the conversion in order to effectively navigate the transition.
Performance considerations
The transition to SFFF technology requires a multi-disciplinary discussion and decision between safety, engineering, environmental and purchase departments.
Once the decision is made to move to SFFF, one of the first things to consider is the type of fire hazards present at your location.
Do you deal with spill fires or fuel-in-depth fires? You must also identify which fuels you have on hand—hydrocarbon or polar solvent.
This will determine the type of fluorine-free foam that you need.
Both manual firefighting operations and fixed or semi-fixed foam systems must achieve proper application densities to be effective.
For manual firefighting operations, in most circumstances fluorine-free foam should be appropriate; however, additional considerations may need to be made to account for changes in viscosity or changes within application rates due to UL listing and/or FM Approval.
In hydrocarbon fire protection, fixed or semi-fixed foam systems may not need additional adjustments or changes, whereas with water miscible fires, in some cases adjustments to increase application rates may be required as per historically UL and FM provide guidance on the approved application rates.
Adjustments to proportioning equipment may also need to be taken into consideration to account for changes in viscosity and flow rates.
This would also present a good opportunity to reevaluate end-of-line discharge devices to ensure they align with current hazard needs and any updated changes in application rates associated with the selected product.
SFFF solutions used on water-miscible and polar solvent fuels have always been set to manufacturer recommendations.
With the transition to SFFF for Perimeter Solutions, the listings have remained the same for ethanol and methanol; however, potential increases in other water-miscible fuels may need to be reviewed.
In addition to flow rates and densities, foam quality plays a critical role in performance.
Foam quality parameters, including expansion ratio and drainage rate are crucial for effective fire protection.
Perimeter Solutions with its fluorine-free range has demonstrated and proven through approved and listed fire testing, we can successfully extinguish Class B fuel fires with non-aspirated discharge devices; however, wherever there is the option for aspirated regardless of fluorinated, or fluorine-free, that is always the preferred option.
Proportioning and discharge devices
For fixed or semi-fixed foam suppression systems and end-of-line discharge devices, a full review should be taken to ensure the application rates are still within the requirements and risk hazards of the facility.
In several cases, minimal or no changes may be required, or in some cases with the changes of hazards on site, proportioning devices and foam concentrate storage tanks may also need to be adjusted to accommodate the increased flow.
One of the key factors to consider is the viscosity of the firefighting foam, especially the distance between the foam concentrate and the ratio controller as longer distances can lead to friction loss.
This friction loss reduces the amount of foam entering the water stream resulting in a lower proportioning percentage.
Perimeter Solutions has continued to develop and move in to low-viscosity firefighting foams, reducing the need to increase pipe diameter to mitigate friction loss and for easy proportioning accurately.
If the system is a wet-pipe system, it may need to be converted to a deluge system to accommodate for pre-mixed foam solution stability.
It is also important to verify that the sprinkler have been listed or approved for use with the specific SFFF foam and fuel type by a third-party agency or relevant authority.
The benefit of using an UL or FM-approved system is that all components are designed to work together, ensuring optimal performance when all parts are properly integrated.
Key components include:
- The tank
- Foam concentrate
- Ratio controller/proportioner
- Discharge device
If an organization chooses to retain its existing fire safety equipment, it’s important to remember that the piping, discharge devices, etc., will need to be thoroughly cleaned or replaced before the transition.
Cleaning the equipment can be costly and even after cleaning, it may still contain residue.
In some cases, replacing the solution pipes is a more cost-effective solution.
Collaborating with industry peers facing similar challenges can provide valuable support during the transition.
It is also essential to stay updated on innovations in firefighting foam concentrates and equipment by attending workshops, presentations and other industry events.
Perimeter Solutions offers a Know Your Foam training session that is available at no cost to fire departments and other fire management agencies across the US and Canada.
The three-hour session includes in-class training and outside hands-on application of Class A and Class B foam.
Attendees at these sessions learn the difference between these foams, fluorine-free Class B foams, as well as emulsifiers and water.
Instructors demonstrate application techniques, including Roll On, Horizontal Spray, Bounce Off, Application then Reposition, Stitching and Tend the Blanket.
The session also covers the different types of foam systems, how to use a foam injection system and in-house maintenance of foam application products.
In the hand-on portion, participants will use a manual inductor, nozzles, foam tubes and foam injection systems.
Additional considerations
When transitioning to SFFF, there are additional considerations involving equipment that may need to be addressed for smooth and effective implementation of the new technology:
Testing and commissioning equipment
After cleaning and disposing of fluorinated foam, the next step is to test and commission equipment with the new SFFF solution.
Internal testing is commonly conducted by flowing foam concentrate through the system, pulling a sample and comparing it against a calibration curve.
If the sample falls within the proper range of the curve, the system is confirmed to be working correctly.
This ensures that your equipment is properly integrated with the new foam and any issues are identified early.
Foam quality checks
Once the equipment is in place, it is vital to assess the foam quality coming out of discharge devices.
Key performance indicators such as expansion ratio and drainage rate should be evaluated to ensure they align with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Checking foam quality helps confirm that the equipment is delivering the correct performance to suppress fires effectively.
Budgeting for the transition
The costs associated with transitioning to SFFF outlined above can add up quickly.
Perimeter Solutions has been able to retrofit existing systems, in some cases with minimal changes; however, consideration needs to be made to foam proportioners, storage tanks and discharge devices to accommodate SFFF.
These additional expenses should be considered when planning the transition and budgeting for the necessary equipment and foam supplies.
Regarding storage of SFFF concentrate, there isn’t a noticeable difference compared to fluorinated firefighting foams.
When stored in original containers, or in tanks designed for foam storage with manufacturer-recommended equipment and within the specified temperature range, a shelf-life of at least 10 years is expected and is projected to be approximately 15-20 years.
(Shelf life studies are ongoing to ensure quality and further storage longevity).
Advanced SFFF options available now
Perimeter Solutions offers a comprehensive line of fluorine-free foam concentrates.
Our SOLBERG VERSAGARD 1×3 Multipurpose Fluorine-Free Foam Concentrate meets the most demanding emergency response applications and is UL 162 listed and GreenScreen Certified Silver® as well as multiple international certifications, including LASTFIRE.
It has been tested and designed for industrial emergency response and is ideal for facilities that store crude oil on site.
SOLBERG RE-HEALING 3×3 SP-100 was the industry’s first UL-listed fluorine-free 3×3 foam concentrate with the full complement of hardware and sprinkler listings, including non-aspirated, standard sprinkler heads.
FM-approved, it is used in sprinkler applications to extinguish and secure both Class B hydrocarbon and polar solvent fuels.
Our PHOS-CHEK® 1% Fluorine-Free Class A/B Foam Concentrate was the industry’s first certified fluorine-free Class A/B foam concentrate on the market.
A versatile solution, it can be used to help extinguish structural, residential, wildland, petroleum and other fires.
While the shift to SFFF technology offers significant benefits, such as reducing the impact on ecosystems and human health, it requires careful consideration of performance, equipment and budget.
By thoroughly testing equipment, ensuring foam quality and planning for necessary upgrades, organizations can successfully make the switch.
As the industry continues the transition to SFFF, staying informed and working closely with trusted companies like Perimeter Solutions can help streamline the process.
