Everything You Must Need To Know Water is a universal agent for suppressing fires, but not effective in all cases. Foam fire suppression system plays a vital role in this matter that includes highly flammable substances areas, like power stations, refineries, oil, gas chemical, industrial facilities, processing areas, petrochemicals tank farms, aircraft hangars, marine applications, storage facilities, etc. that can prevent massive loss of property very efficiently. Here, we are trying to present a complete basic guide of the foam fire protection system to help you out including what it is, its types, and how it is work. What Is a Foam Fire Suppression System? Foam fire suppression system is the system that uses foam to suppress the fire. The system is made up of foam concentrate, water, and air that mixes to create a foam blanket. When heat, fuel, oxygen, and chemical reaction create fire, It makes a foam blanket over the flammable fuels for separating the fuels from the oxygen, thus excluding oxygen by smothering. Then the waters of the solution absorb heats and cool the fuels and prevent reignition. The foam blankets also suppress and dilute the vapors of flammable liquids effectively. The effectiveness depends on the correct selection of foam concentrates and discharge devices of this system. Advantages The system is less toxic. It causes minimal water damage to structure and tools. This system is more effective on hotter fires than to traditional sprinklers. Disadvantages The system does not apply to electrical equipment. It is not readily available in residential settings. Variations Of Foam Fire Suppression System Foam fire suppression systems are classified into three categories. Based on application areas, each system delivers different suppression process. High expansion foam system: The expansion ratio in this system is from 100:1 to 1000:1.This expansion foam creates an upper depth and less wet blanket with large bubbles. The light foam can fill an extended enclosure quickly. The system is used in large enclosed areas such as warehouses, aircraft hangars, and liquefied natural gas impound basins. It is not suitable for outdoor spaces. Medium Expansion Foam System: The expansion ratio is 10:1 to 100:1, which produces a large amount of accurate foam within a short duration. It creates a 2 feet depth thick blanket above the flammable fuels or chemicals. The existing water provides a cooling effect over the fire. It is beneficial for small surface areas. The extinguish the fire and vapor used in refineries, chemical manufacturing areas, municipal fire brigades, and solvent storage areas. Low Expansion Foam System: The expansion ratio is 10:1 that produces a very wet foam blanket with high dense small foam bubbles. The quite durable foam blanket creates a secure cover. It separates the fuel from oxygen through a smothering process. The existing adequate water produces a cooling effect over the flame. The system delivers high-density foam in long projection distance as well as height. This foam is applicable in hydrocarbon fires, including tank storage, onboard ships, refineries, rooftop helipads, manufacturing areas. Working Principle of Foam Fire Suppression System Foam systems have storage vessels that contain the foam concentrates. It is connected to the discharge system for immediate use. The foam produces a thin aqueous film layer, and its concentrate is mixed with water for maximum effectiveness. It needs a little energy to generate high-quality firefighting foam. Usually, 1% and 3% foam concentrate uses in hydrocarbon fuel fires. When the concentrate container shows 3% foam concentrate, it is meant for every 100 gallons of foam solution, 3 gallons of the foam concentrate, and 97 gallons of water must use in the solution. Based on the solution required and range of flow rates and pressure, the devices release the proper amount of concentrate into the water supply. Foam solutions apply to the flammable fire by either aspirating or non-aspirating devices. The air-aspirating device contains air and mixes it with foam solution within the device, and the non-air-aspirating device is not doing that. Foam suppression system operates on a deluge system for fast application of water in the system. The deluge valve is quick in a release by hydraulically or electrically. The foam deluge system can automatically discharge foam and water solution through the discharge device using an accurate cross zoning detection system. We hope this report has given you the basic guideline about the foam fire suppression system. The system is not used nationwide. It is used on a limited basis. So, it is crucial to research it and take the fire expertise recommendation as per your application area aspect before implementing.