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Foam Suppression systems.
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Low, Medium and High Expansion Foam Suppression systems.
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For fixed foam suppression systems, the foam must be delivered to the fire efficiently and in a controlled and directed manner.
 
Australian Fire Technologies have vast experience over a range of installations and are able to draw on the knowledge of Foam Manufacturers such as Ansul and Chemguard to assist if required. 
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Australian Fire Technologies will analyse your facility, the fire risk and consider likely scenarios. We can then design a system configuration to effectively combat fire, help you consider the options and decide upon the most suitable solution for your needs. 

Low Expansion Foam 

Low Expansion foam offers a 5:1 expansion rate, making it the foam system of choice in to protect large and hazardous facilities, including; petro-chemical tank farms, loading docks, processing areas and refineries and liquefied natural gas storage. 

Organisations storing or handling flammable and combustible liquids will usually need to comply with Australian Standards AS1940 ‘The Storage and Handling of Flammable and Combustible Liquids’ and Australian Fire Technologies can provide the design expertise and system components to help any facility comply with this Standard. 
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High Expansion Foam 

With an expansion rate of 500:1, High Expansion foam systems are more suitable to protect less common three-dimensional hazardous facilities including; warehouses, conveyors, aircraft hangars and tunnels. As such, High Expansion foam is measured by volume output rather than application rate, as is typical of low expansion foams. 

Discharge Devices 

With both low and high expansion foam systems, once a facility has been evaluated either an ‘Aspirating’ or ‘Non-Aspirating’ discharge device’ will be recommended, based on the facilities requirements. 
 
  • Aspirating discharge devices - produces a more viscous foam – great for reducing burn back and keeping the foam contained. 
  • Non-aspirating discharge devices - are best used where the foam is needed to spread over a large area.
 
For maximum effectiveness it is critical the expansion ratio, discharge device and foam concentrate be correct. With Australian Fire Technologies knowledge and expertise, we can recommend the most appropriate system solution for your needs.
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Australian Fire Technologies can offer a complete design, engineering and commissioning in compliance with Australian and International Standards.
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To access the Foam Systems Design and Applications Manual , simply click on the button below:
Environmental Management of Foam Products
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Introduction
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On July 7, 2016, the Queensland Department of Environmental & Heritage Protection published the Operational Policy on the Environmental Management of Firefighting Foam. The policy describes the requirements and expectations for the handling, transport, storage, use, release, waste treatment, disposal and environmental protection measures relevant to the use of firefighting foam. This policy specifically addresses the environmental stewardship considerations of these foams.
 
Key provisions of the Policy include:
 
  • All firefighting foams pose a range of hazards to the environment when released during activities such as training, maintenance, testing, incident response, fires and waste disposal.
  • Non-persistent and fully biodegradable foams can be released to the environment with a number of restrictions.
  • Persistent foams must not be released to the environment, must be fully contained on site, and disposed of as regulated wastes.
  • Foams containing >10 mg/kg (10 ppm) PFOS and/or >50 mg/kg (50 ppm) PFOA and PFOA precursors must be withdrawn from service as soon as possible and no longer used in any situation where they might be released to the environment, including legacy stocks and be managed and disposed of as regulated waste.
  • Foams containing short-chain fluorotelomers can be used if they are found to be the only viable option, after firefighting effectiveness, short and long-term health, safety and environmental risks and property protection characteristics have all been appropriately considered.
  • Foams containing short-chain fluorotelomers must be C6 purity-compliant – must not have more than 50 mg/kg (50 ppm) of total long-chain impurities (nor more than 10 mg/kg (10 ppm) PFOS).
  • C6 purity-compliant foams cannot be released directly to the environment, must be fully contained on site, and must be disposed of as a regulated waste.
  • Foams used for training, testing or maintenance purposes must not contain any fluorinated organic compounds with the exception that if there is a defined requirement for testing with a fluorinated foam, the foam must be fully C6 purity-compliant and contained and disposed of as a regulated waste
  • Compliance must be achieved as soon as is reasonably practicable, but in no case later than 3 years from approval date of the Policy
  • Testing requirements are specified that include persistence and bioaccumulation, acute toxicity, chronic toxicity, BOD and biodegradability Specific provisions detail the requirements for disposal of contaminated water and soil
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Simply click on the buttons below for detailed information to enable you to make the right  choice in managing your firefighting foams:
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