Foam System Calculations

Bahadori, Hamid R.

doi:10.1007/978-1-4939-2565-0_48

Hamid R. Bahadori¹⁰

34k Accesses

Abstract

Foam is a stable aggregation of gas-filled bubbles formed from a homogeneous mixture of water and foam concentrate in predetermined proportions. Foam fire protection is well suited for the control and extinguishment of specific types of fires especially those involving certain arrangements of flammable and combustible liquids. Foam is generally lighter than flammable/combustible liquids; therefore it floats on the liquid surface producing a layer which has multiple advantageous effects. These effects include vapor-sealing of the liquid, cooling of the liquid surface, and limitation of oxygen to the liquid surface.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Chapter: USD 29.95; Price excludes VAT (USA)

eBook: USD 869.00; Price excludes VAT (USA)

Hardcover Book: USD 1,099.99; Price excludes VAT (USA)

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

NFPA 11, Standard for Low-, Medium-, and High-Expansion Foam, National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA, 2010.
Google Scholar
W.M. Carey, National Class A Foam Research Project Technical Report, National Fire Protection Research Foundation, Quincy, MA (December 1993).
Google Scholar
W.M. Carey, National Class A Foam Research Project Technical Report, Phase II, National Fire Protection Research Foundation, Quincy, MA (December 1994).
Google Scholar
D. Madrzykowski and D.W. Stroup, “Demonstration of Biodegradable, Environmentally Safe, Non-Toxic Fire Suppression Liquids,” NISTIR 6191, National Institute of Standards and Technology Report, Gaithersburg, MD (1998).
Google Scholar
S.A. Hill, J.L. Scheffey, F. Walker, and F.W. Williams, “Tests of Alternative Fire Protection Methods for USAF Hangars,” NRL/MR/6180-99-8337, Naval Research Laboratory Report, Washington, DC (1999).
Google Scholar

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Jensen Hughes, Inc., Baltimore, MD, USA
Hamid R. Bahadori (Vice President)

Authors

Hamid R. Bahadori
View author publications
You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Aon Fire Protection Engineering, Greenbelt, MD, USA
Morgan J. Hurley P.E., FSFPE (Editor-in-Chief) (Editor-in-Chief)
Hughes Associates, Baltimore, USA
Daniel Gottuk Ph.D., P.E.
National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, USA
John R. Hall Jr. Ph.D.
Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
Kazunori Harada Dr. Eng.
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, USA
Erica Kuligowski Ph.D.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, USA
Milosh Puchovsky P.E., FSFPE
The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
José Torero Ph.D.
The Fire Safety Institute, Quincy, USA
John M. Watts Jr. Ph.D., FSFPE
FM Global, Johnston, USA
Christopher Wieczorek Ph.D.

Nomenclature

C: Hazen-Williams coefficient (constant)
C _L: Foam leakage correction factor
C _N: Normal foam shrinkage factor
D: Internal pipe diameter (in.)
FL: Friction loss (psi/ft)
K: Nozzle discharge coefficient (gpm/psi1/2)
Q: Flow (gpm)
R: Total foam generator capacity (cfm)
R _s: Total rate of foam breakdown [S × Q] (cfm/gpm)
S: Rate of foam breakdown by sprinklers per gpm of sprinkler discharge (cfm/gpm)
T: Submergence time (min)
V: Velocity (ft/s)
ν: Submergence volume (ft³)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Bahadori, H.R. (2016). Foam System Calculations. In: Hurley, M.J., et al. SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2565-0_48

Download citation

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-2565-0_48
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-2564-3
Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-2565-0
eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics