foam
New foam testing Lastfire and Dallas/Fort Worth Airport are jointly embarking on the next phase of testing new-generation foams in October. Jose Sanchez de Muniain finds out more.
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wo fluorine-free foams are to be tested on a large-scale fire using four different application methods at rates in accordance with NFPA 11. The latest series of tests seek to answer some of the issues raised by extensive testing and research previously carried out by Lastfire (see IFJ Q1 2018 and IFJ Q3 2017). Earlier work included a range of tests from small-scale through to large-scale bund and tank fires. These were
The planned tests at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport are based on the findings of previous work. They have been designed to test principles rather than to compare specific foams. (Photos: Lastfire and Gesip)
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conducted with various fuels at critical application rates in accordance with recognised standards, such as NFPA, as well as using other application techniques and rates. Earlier tests found that the new generation of fire-fighting foams, which include high-purity C6 foam and fluorine-free foam, provide a wide range of performance. The results suggested that it is not possible to make performance-based assumptions based on whether a foam is fluorine-free or high-purity C6, because both types extinguished fires in all the range of tests at rates equal to, or below, standard NFPA application rates. The tests revealed some unexpected outcomes, such as that in some cases it seemed more difficult to extinguish Jet A1 fires than gasoline fires with some fluorine-free foams. Other findings included that the use of a well-engineered and optimised CAF system, in the form of either a monitor or pourer, equalised the performance of different foams, suggesting that this system could be a highly efficient method of foam application for tank and spill incidents. One major finding was that further testing of the flow capability over long distances of fluorine-free foams – and CAF-generated foam in particular – was required. The protocols for the work with Dallas/Fort Worth Airport have been established based on this earlier work. The main tests planned for October will include two foams, both fluorine free, with one specifically formulated for spill fires and the other for tank-related incidents. With a fire size measuring approximately 40m x 8m, the two foams will be tested using four application methods: conventional pourer, conventional monitor, CAF pourer and
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