ANALYSIS OF WORLD’S COMPRESSED AIR FOAM SYSTEMS

Abstract

The paper deals with the principle plan for the supply of gas-filled foam. The main components of stationary and portable units were studied. The main components of the system are a fire pump, a compressor (or cylinders with air) and a foam feed control system. The analysis of leading world manufacturers of gas-filled foam systems, such as the German company "One seven", the Austrian company Rosenbauer, the American company Waterous, the American company Hale Product, the Russian fire extinguishing system with gas-filled NATISK foam. The conclusions on the results of the analysis were developed.

In the article considered the principal plan of compressed air foam system(CAFS). The main components of stationary and portable devices are studied. Among the world's leading companies of fire-fighting systems, compressed air foam systems (CAFS) have become widespread. The main components of the CAFS system are a fire pump, a compressor (or air cylinders), and a feed control system for the foam generator. The pump produces water under pressure, to which a foaming agent is added in the required proportion. It is possible to form a water solution of a foaming agent directly in or in front of the pump. Next, the formed mixture adds air under pressure, with which the foam of low multiplicity, which continues to move with sleeves, is formed. There are three main areas of application of CAFS:

• -stationary automatic fire-fighting systems;
• -mobile fire extinguishing systems;
• -built systems in fire trucks.

The analysis of leading European and American сompanies, such as the German company "One seven" was made. The main products of it:

- Stored-Energy-Systeme - closed system with water supply, foaming agent and air can work up to 10 minutes when extinguishing a fire;

- Wandhydranten WXS - a stationary wall fire extinguishing system that can be used as an alternative to ordinary fire cocks, has a sleeve up to 60 m long and a range of flowing spray foam up to 15 m for 20 minutes.

Austrian company Rosenbauer:

- CAFS MOBILE - a mobile installation of gas-filled foam generation, allows receiving a compression foam with a multiplicity of 4 to 20 by turning it into a sleeve line coming from a centrifugal pump. It allows to receive from 400 to 1600 l / min finished gas-filled foam by introducing into the stream of aqueous solution of a foaming agent in a predetermined quantity coming from prepared air cylinders;

- SKY CAFS - a plant for extinguishing high-rise buildings by supplying a compressive foam to a height of 400 m, which is achieved due to a small proportion of foam;

American company Waterous:

- Automotive pump with built-in gasfilled foam system CAFSystem ONE STEP 150-OS allows to receive dry or wet foam with the contents of a foaming agent in a solution with water in amounts of 0,1-1, 3 and 6% depending on needs. Air is pumped from the built-in compressor with a productivity of 4.25 m3 / min at a pressure of 8.6 bar;

- Fire extinguishing modules 70-35-GP, 100-50-DS, 200-100-DS, 100-50-OS, 200-100-OS, including a pump with a drive motor, a compressor and a system of foaming. They operate in a wide range of foam delivery values (up to 800 l / min) and with a maximum pressure of 35, 50 and 100 mV. depending on the model.

The main directions of application of gasfilled foam are selected and analyzed. Among the well-known manufacturers of fire extinguishing systems that implement compression foam technology, OneSeven, WellCrown International Resources Ltd (Hong Kong), KSSIELER Feuerwehr und Rettungssysteme (Germany), Firematic Supply Co. (USA), W.S. Darley and others. All manufacturers produce foam from 4 to 20. The ratio of water foaming agent is from 0.1 to 6%, depending on the needs.