Foam Fire Extinguisher
Foam Fire
Extinguishers are most effective against fires caused due to either flammable
solids or liquids. As a common user, you might be confused as to which objects
fall in which category so, to put it simply flammable solids contain objects
such as cloth, wood, paper, etc whereas flammable liquid contains objects such
as petrol, diesel, spirit, alcohol, etc.
Unawareness
is a major issue especially when it comes to fire. Each year fire costs live more
than one could imagine. Normal users while considering the purchase of a fire
extinguisher must ensure gaining proper knowledge of types of fires &
extinguishers which itself is a vital part of fire safety mostly neglected by
common users resulting in catastrophe.
Types of Foam Fire Extinguishers
In general
Foam Fire Extinguishers are divided into 2 categories first is a water type
which comprises of a water-based film-forming known as ‘AFFF’ Foam Fire
Extinguishers while another one is a spray type foam fire extinguisher.
Generally, Foam Fire Extinguishers are used on fuel fires which can be a major
problem at times. Foam Fire Extinguishers Manufacturer of vast variety produces
these extinguishers either in aspirated or non-aspirated form.
Aspirated
Extinguisher is referred to as an extinguisher that contains a mixture of
aspirated foam & air, firmly merged & kept within a branch pipe. On
another hand nonaspirated foam extinguisher is referred to as an extinguisher
that comes out to make a frothy blanket or seal covering the ignited fuel.
These extinguishers can easily cut off oxygen supply of the ignited fire.
Identification of both these types of foam extinguisher is quite easy as
details are already present on the extinguisher itself. Due to their enhanced
operator safety, ease of usage & extended coverage of spray nozzles these
are utilized by a wide variety of general users in numerous scenarios &
places such as home, school, office, petrol pumps, boats, etc. Apart from these
generic types foam, fire extinguishers come in wide variety. Some of these
types are listed below:
Aqueous Film Forming Foam Units
AFFF Foam
extinguishers are highly preferred for Class A & B fires whereas on another
hand they also come in handy when considering vapor suppression. This type of
foam fire can easily extinguish fire from quite a distance but just like every
other thing it also has its cons. One major con of this extinguisher is that it
features fluoro tensides which can prove harmful if accumulated in the body. Still
very little is known about the long-term environmental & human effects of
this extinguisher.
Alcohol-Resistant Aqueous Film
Forming Foam Extinguishers
AR-AFFF
extinguishers are most favorable for fuel fires caused due to alcohol. This
foam fire extinguisher operates by creating a covering that stood in between
the fuel & the foam ultimately preventing the alcohol from wearing down the
foamy covering which is quite similar to how other types of foam fire
extinguishers operate.
Film Forming Fluoroprotein Foam
Units
FFFP is
quite unique in numerous ways. This type of extinguisher comprises of naturally
occurring animal proteins. These types of extinguishers contain similar
synthetic foam producing agent formed from natural ingredients which provide
enhanced heat resistance capabilities to the foam, unlike ones that are solely
man-made which are quite weak such as AFFF foams.
Similar to
AR-AFFF extinguishers, FFFP is highly reliable & preferred for fuel fires
containing alcohol which is why they are mostly preferred within sports such as
motor racing & can be spotted within pits & marshaling areas.
Compressed Air Foam Extinguishers
Quite
similar to air pressurized water but still the major difference which makes it
more effective is that it utilizes foam as an extinguishing agent instead of
water. Apart from being used as an extinguisher, this type of extinguisher is
also preferred within wildland mission which requires extended water supplies. Most
probably they are preferred on Class A fires but can be also be utilized on
Class B if used with dry foam which requires vapor suppression as well.
Foam units
are rather versatile and as you will notice from the above, they come in
numerous forms to be used in a variety of situations.
Advantages of Foam Fire Extinguishers
Foam Fire
Extinguishers are well known throughout the Fire Safety Industry & is
currently being utilized on a large scale due to their versatile nature &
extended benefits. Some common benefits of utilizing a Foam Fire Extinguishers
are as follows:
- It contains non-toxic & Eco-friendly substances as its extinguishing agent.
- Foaming agent causes the least amount of damage to nearby materials.
- It utilizes progressive techniques along with substances to extinguish numerous types of fires.
- It also ensures re-ignition of fire as foaming agent tends to stay on ignited substance for quite some time
- It cuts off oxygen to the fire which is one of the most progressive ways to extinguish fires
