Foams

Question 1

Foam is widely used for dealing with flammable liquids as it is the only agent capable of surpressing vapours and providing video visable proof of security.

Reasons for using foam include:

Answer 1

A foam blanket on an unignited spill can prevent a fire.

The suppression of vapours prevents them from finding an ignition source.

Foam can provide post-fire security by protecting the hazard until it can be secured or removed.

Foam can provide protection from flammable liquids for fire and rescue personal during emergency operations.

Question 2

Name the Four elements are necessary to produce a quality foam blanket?

Answer 2

Foam concentrate

Water

Air

Aeration (mechanical agitation).

Question 3

How does foam extinguish fires?

Answer 3

Excluding air (oxygen) from the fuel surface.

Separating the flames from the fuel surface.

Restricting the release of flammable vapours.

Forming a radiant heat barrier.

Cooling effect.

Question 4

Foam application rates?

Answer 4

Critical

Optimum

Overkill

Question 5

What foam do we use in Humberside and why?

Answer 5

Petroseal 6 Film Forming Fluoroprotein (FFFP).

Why: fast knockdown and extinguishment.

Excellent burn back resistance and post fire security l.

Foam blanket reseals when ruptured

Long shelf life

Low usage levels

Question 6

Application areas

Answer 6

Spillages

Spill fires

Pool fires

Spreading fires

Running fuel fires

Engine and undercarriages

Question 7

Application techniques - low expansion

Answer 7

Rolling on

Bouncing off

Feathering

Monitor ops

Question 8

What can effect performance of foam?

Answer 8

Type of foam-making equipment.

Type of foam concentrate used

Type of fire and the fuel involved

Tactics of foam application

Rate at which the foam is applied.

Quality of the water used.

Length of pre-burn.

Question 9

incident considerations.

Answer 9

Wind direction and speed

Lay of the land

Drains (environmental)

Break down of foam blanket

Is foam actually required?

Question 10

Potential hazards when using foam?

Answer 10

Potential slip hazard

Reaction with D class fires

Personal contamination

Covers over debris and equipment

Corrosion of equipment

Environmental impact

Question 11

Care of equipment?

Answer 11

Thoroughly flush all equipment after use?

Check washers for signs of deterioration.

Valves should of operate freely without leakage.

Metering systems operate correctly.

Foam tanks and connections for leakage and corrosion

Pumps and branches are free from stones and foreign objects etc.