Foam extinguishing systems have been developed for the fire protection of the areas where there are flammable and combustible liquids and where water is not suitable for use as an extinguisher. They are similar to sprinkler extinguishing systems in terms of their designs. Both systems include a water tank, fire pump, pipeline and nozzles. However, foam extinguishing systems also contain foam concentrate. In case of fire, this foam concentrate mixes with water and air under pressure, turns into foam and is discharged from the nozzles into the protected volume.
Extinguishing foam allows for extinguishing fire both by cooling the burning surface and by covering the surface as a layer and cutting off its contact with oxygen. Thanks to this shielding effect, re-ignition is also prevented.
Foam extinguishing systems are classified according to their foam expansion rates. Expansion rate is the volumetric rate between the foam concentrate and the foam created in case of fire. There are foam extinguishing systems with low, medium and high expansion rates. The necessary system is selected according to the fire hazard in the area to be protected.
Foam extinguishing systems allow for extinguishing fire very quickly. Extinguishing foam can even cover large areas such as hangars only within seconds. It is also environmentally-friendly because of its biodegradability characteristics.
The main fields of use of foam extinguishing systems are as follows:
- Aircraft hangars
- Warehouses
- Marine platforms
- Production areas
- Flammable liquid tanks
- Jet fuel test units
