Foam fire suppression systems are often used in areas where flammable liquids are stored or used, as foam is particularly effective at extinguishing fires involving these types of materials.
The foam used in these systems is a water-based substance that contains active ingredients that create a layer over a fire, cutting off the oxygen supply and suffocating the flames.
When the system is activated, either manually or automatically, a foam concentrate, of varying concentrations (1%, 3% or 6%), is released from a storage tank into a mixing (proportioning) equipment, where it is mixed with water to create the foam solution. This is pumped through a network of pipes to discharge nozzles throughout the protected area.
The nozzles release the foam solution onto the fire, creating a layer of foam above the flames, which cuts off the oxygen supply to the fire, extinguishing it.
The foam solution also cools the surrounding area, helping to prevent the fire from reigniting.
