Foam Suppression Systems

If your business manufactures, stores, or transports flammable liquids, the thought of a devastating fire always burns in the back of your mind. Be as prepared as possible with reliable firefighting foam products from Vanguard.

What is firefighting foam?

Firefighting foam is made of three ingredients — a foam concentrate, water, and air. The concentrate is mixed with water (proportioning), creating a foam solution. That solution is mixed with air (aspirated) to produce the foam, which is very fluid, readily flowing over liquid surfaces. The foam itself is a stable mass of small, air-filled bubbles with a lower density than oil, gasoline, or water.

How Does Foam Work?

Fire Foam Suppression Systems agents suppress fire by separating the liquid fuel from the air (oxygen) it needs to burn. Depending on the type of foam agent, this is done in one of several ways:

Blankets the fuel surface, smothering the fire and separating the flames from the fuel surface

Cools the fuel and adjacent heat and ignition sources

Suppresses the release of flammable vapors that can mix with air

Foam System Components:

Proportioner's:

Proportioning Equipment introduces the foam concentrate into a flowing stream of water to produce a foam solution. There are many methods of proportioning, but fixed foam systems typically use balanced pressure proportioning equipment. All balanced pressure systems use a modified venturi device called a proportioner or ratio controller.

Sprinkler Heads:

Sprinkler Heads are available in both aspirating and non-aspirating versions. Aspirated sprinkler heads are required for protein and fluoroprotein foams in deluge systems. Non-aspirated heads with AFFF agents are more economical and can be used in either open deluge or closed-head sprinkler systems.

Handline Nozzles and Eductors:

Handline Nozzles can be used with a variety of foam concentrates and applications. The nozzles are constructed of corrosion resistant materials, and are lightweight for ease of handling.

Eductors create a foam solution by adding a percentage of foam concentrate into the pressurized water stream for the handline nozzles.

Bladder Tanks:

Bladder Tanks are a component of a balanced pressure proportioning system that includes a pressure-rated tank with an internal elastomeric bladder for foam concentrate storage. Upon system actuation, incoming water applies pressure to the concentrate in the bladder, which supplies pressurized concentrate to the proportioning device. The device meters the foam concentrate into the fire water line, creating foam solution. The solution is then piped to the discharge devices protecting the hazard area.

Storage Tank Protection:

Foam Chambers and Foam Makers are air-aspirating foam discharge devices designed to protect flammable liquid storage tanks by applying foam down the inside wall of the tank. Foam Chambers are designed to generate foam and apply the expanded foam to the fuel surface in a manner that lessens submergence and agitation as the foam contacts the fuel.

Pump Proportioning Systems:

The Balanced Pressure Pump Proportioning System functions by maintaining an equal pressure in the foam concentrate and water inlets to the proportioner, allowing the proportioner to be used over a wide range of flows and pressures. The system connects to an atmospheric storage tank which allows refilling during operation. Controls respond quickly and accurately to changes in the water inlet pressures and flow rates.

Foam Monitors:

Foam Monitors control the horizontal and vertical directions of large capacity discharge streams. Water-oscillating monitors automatically move side-to-side using water pressure as the energy source. Remote controlled monitors use an electric joystick to control horizontal, vertical and stream pattern. Other monitors are operated manually using a tiller bar or housewheel.

Mobile Foam Cart:

The Foam Systems Mobilcart is designed to provide mobile firefighting foam capability for various hazardous areas where flammable liquids are present. Common applications include tank farms and refineries, loading areas, chemical processing plants, diked areas, warehouse facilities, paint storage areas, and other manufacturing areas where flammable liquids are a hazard.

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