Testing/Commissioning of a Foam Fire Protection system
Testing/Commissioning of a Foam Fire Protection system
(OP)
Just wondering what are some possible ways we can go about testing our foam fire protection system without filling the entire building with foam. Or is this the only way?





RE: Testing/Commissioning of a Foam Fire Protection system
If you measure the flow at each generator you can extrapolate the consumption rate of foam concentrate and validate the duration and flow.
RE: Testing/Commissioning of a Foam Fire Protection system
If it is a low expansion say 3-6% foam system install piping after the foam inductor to a test header. Flow water via the test header at the required GPM when reached turn on the foam and take sample to determine the % of foam. Check with your environment agency some will require you to collect the foam, others will permit it to be discharged to a drain and or seep into the ground.
RE: Testing/Commissioning of a Foam Fire Protection system
RE: Testing/Commissioning of a Foam Fire Protection system
It is not currently installed yet, the building is still under construction.
One of the ideas we have thrown around (still haven't done the research yet) is once line is finished, to first test out the sprinkler system with water to verify flow and ensure they are the same within acceptance.
We could then test one sprinkler with foam to determine the coverage and it's spray pattern and then hoard the other ones to prevent the entire building from filling.
The idea of a test header also sounds ideal.
RE: Testing/Commissioning of a Foam Fire Protection system
RE: Testing/Commissioning of a Foam Fire Protection system
high expansion will be used for ground floor and operations where low is for any trenches and inside the tanks.
RE: Testing/Commissioning of a Foam Fire Protection system
RE: Testing/Commissioning of a Foam Fire Protection system
I know nothing about your process chemistry or unit operations to make any conclusive statements. However, I am concerned about mixing a High-expansion foam system with a low-expansion foam system. The design approach and equipment requirements are different and I'm not sure how these two methods would work under a fire condition. I also have concerns if this equipment is all in one building or area where the unit process is combined together. I wouldn't want to be an operator trying to wade through high-expansion foam while moving through a process area.
With this process being indoors your unit processes may be a candidate for using optical flame detection and motor operated valves to isolate process feedstock and finished product piping when a fire signature is detected. This combined with conventional sprinkler protection for controlling the fire and cooling process equipment may offer higher reliability and lower ITM costs.
RE: Testing/Commissioning of a Foam Fire Protection system