Pumping CAF through another non-CAF engine is possible, but here is what will happen - if the non-CAF
engine is still pumping, its pump will be ineffective as you will be pushing bubbles and air through the
pump (cavitation). 2nd - pumping CAF through the pump (whether running or not) places a lot of obstruction
in the CAF stream, thus popping many of the bubbles and making the CAF less effective. Grant it, the foam will
continue scrubbing through the final hose, which might increase its bubble capacity again.
CAF can be pumped long distances without any reduction in the stream. The most effective scenario would be to
supply the final attack hose lines directly from the CAF engine, by passing the non-CAF engine. In other words,
if the CAF engine is some distance away, connect the CAF supply line via a wye directly to the hose lines attacking
the fire. If the CAF engine is sitting right next to the 1st engine, you can also break the non CAF lines at
the truck and attach directly to the ball valves of the Charged CAF lines off the second due truck, 1.75" to 1.75".
No Wye needed.
An alternative would be to not use the CAF at all and just pump water from the CAF engine to the original
non-CAF engine but this would be very ineffective as we all know that CAF is superior to water in fire extinguishment.
I am sure that your field rep showed a "Polite" interest instead of a slight
interest. Texas passed legislation called the Texas Addendum to the Fire
Suppression Rating Schedule. The schedule dictates additional information be
included in the rating. 30% of the Texas Addendum credit is based on CAF.
So far, ISO refuses to recognize CAF any where else and will probably not do
so unless forced to do so by individual state legislation.
Our people did not see any hand out information at the symposium. I have spent
some time researching Texas Legislature. I recently received information from
the Texas Department of Insurance (attached). This information is now
posted on this web site. In the meantime, here is the speaker's information if you
wish to speak to him directly:
Phillip Bradley
Community Mitigation Services
Insurance Services Office
430 W. Braker Lane Suite 350
Austin, TX. 78759
512-440-9914
I spoke with a vacuum tanker builder at FDIC in reference to your question.
He indicated that the vacuum system is relatively small cfm and operates at a
low negative pressure. The system could flow neither the volume nor the pressure
(up to 150 psi) required of a CAF system.
There could be several possibilities here:
Generally, a 1-3/4" line cannot handle 100 gpm and 50 cfm
simultaneously. That is too much volume for the hose. Cutting back to 90 gpm usually allows 45 cfm to flow
through the hose. But since you did gate back the water, the air flow should have increased simultaneously.
You did not state if you were flowing water from a hydrant? When flowing from a high pressure hydrant or other
pressurized water source, there is no need to throttle up the engine RPM to get the needed water pressure. Without
the increased RPM, the compressor may not spin fast enough to generate adequate volume. If the water source is
high pressure, gate down the intake flow and increase engine RPM.
Most of the CAF systems on the market are
designed for high CFM flow through each line. While it is possible that the system was designed to hold CFM to
25, it is doubtful. There is also a possibility that maybe the air flow hose to you discharge line could be
kinked, damaged or partially plugged. Try another discharge and see if the situation is the same.
Another cause could be a partially blocked or stuck air inlet valve on the compressor. The valve adjusts to
increase the air volume. If it is stuck, it might limit the air volume. Also, the air inlet valve is controlled
by the air control circuit. There could be either a problem or mis-adjustment in the air control circuit. One way
to check this is to see if the air and water pressures are balancing.
And finally, it is possible that the air flow meter might not be reading correctly and the air might be
flowing adequately. Some of the meters can be calibrated. Check your manufacturers documentation.
If none of these options corrects the flow, contact the manufacturer for advice.
Class A Foam can extinguish a Class B fire, but Class A foam cannot be used as a protective blanket. It will not work. Class B foam is
designed (manufacturer's instruction) to be used at 3/6% for Class B fuels. Class B foam is designed to form a vapor barrier. Class B foam
is not designed to be used on Class A fuels at any concentration. Class B foam contains reportable contents (contents not proven to be
non-hazardous). Class B Foam also does not have an affinity to carbon (Class A) fuels. It most likely will not stick to the fuels
like Class A Foam. It will require clean-up. It also will not reduce the black smoke emmissions. If anything did go wrong and the
fire didn't go out, or if the clean-up was costly, there would be no liability defense.
Two different fire problems require two very different agents. Our job is to assess the fire problem and decide if it
requires a carbon loving (Class A) agent or a product that is chemically opposed to carbon (Class B).
Our recommendation would be to never consider using Class B Foam on a Class A fire.
You can build an engine to do just about anything, with or without dual
purpose foams. There are smaller compressors that can be installed. I
recommend nothing smaller than an 80 cfm if you are planning to fight
structure fires. It is critical to have a back up CAF line just incase
anything goes wrong. 80 cfm will supply two lines.
Waterous offers a lower cost line of PTO powered CAFS systems called the
Silver series. The 80 cfm model is the 80SP. Training is not included and
should be considered as an option when purchasing the system.
A proportioner to do class B will be expensive as it must be capable of high
volume (10 to 12 gpm). It would be more cost effective to use a Foam Pro
1600 proportioner for class A CAFS. An eductor and an aspirating nozzle
will work for class B in the rare occasions that it will be needed.
The reason CAF is effective (ability to absorb heat faster) on Class "A" fire is due to the expanded surface to mass ratio of each water droplet in the form of a bubble.
It is the heat absorbing ability of the water, that in a bubble form, absorbs the heat faster.
Using a good quality Class "A" CAF on a Class "B" fire would give you the same result. The expanded water droplets in bubble form would absorb the heat faster, thus making the CAF more effective. One thing to remember, however, is that Class "B" foam is designed to form a vapor barrier over a contained spill of a liquid. A Class "B" fire can be extinguished using good quality Class "A" CAF, however, the Class "A" Foam will not form an adequate vapor barrier to prevent possible flash re-ignition.
"Vapor suppression is not provided and use for that purpose is not recommended."
Class "B" Concentrate CAF, will also expand water droplets into high surface to mass ratio bubbles. These bubbles will again absorb the heat faster, thus making Class "B" CAF more effective than solution. This foam will then produce the vapor barrier on a contained liquid.
The key here is understanding what is happening. CAF, whether Class "A" or "B", absorbs heat faster by changing the water droplets into a high surface to mass ratio bubble. It does not matter which concentrate is used, it is the expanded surface to mass ratio of the water that absorbs the heat.
Class "B" Foam in a blanket, has the ability to create a vapor barrier on a contained spill liquid. What does Class "B" Foam do on a non-contained spill? The liquid can flow out from under and beyond the vapor barrier. If the spill is not contained, Class "B" and Class "A" CAF are both effective for fire extinguishment, but neither will provide an adequate vapor barrier. Again, in this case, vapor re-ignition is a possibility.
Keep in mind that a good quality Class "A" concentrate will be UL Tested as a "Wetting Agent" and that testing looks specifically at the
Class "B" extinguishment abilities of the Class "A" product. The testing process to receive UL listing can be found in the specifics of The UL 162 Test and NFPA 18 Test documents. Several Class "A" products are UL Listed. Since the
Class "A" product listing is based on Class "B" fire tests specifically, the statement can be made that some
Class "A" concentrates will work on Class "B" fires with scientific tests to validate the statement.
Suffice it to say that a good quality Class "A" CAF will be more than adequate for most simple hydrocarbon fire problems
many fire departments routinely encounter. Polar solvents and commercial quantity spills and fires will require Class "B" foam in large quantities and Universal / ATC / ARC type concentrates in many cases. Many small to medium departments may not be equipped to properly handle large scale
Class "B" events.
As far as Class "C" energized fires go - keep in mind that the stream of Class "A" CAF bubbles is 99.7% water and being a continuous column of water will conduct electricity quite well. There are no known scientific tests on this matter, however, we at
www.CompressedAirFoam.com do know a few "test subjects" we could volunteer (just kidding)!
Additional information on this subject may be found in a recent Fire Chief's Magazine Article - No Size Fits All!
As far as Class "C" energized fires go - keep in mind that the stream of Class "A" CAF bubbles is 99.7% water and being a continuous column of water will conduct electricity quite well. Since the CAF stream contains water, it should be considered with the same caution as a regular straight stream of water. It would be safe to assume that the water drops in expanded bubble form are all in contact with one another and could thus conduct the electricity with potentially disastrous results.
I am sure there are several good home defense CAF units available on the market. Most will come in the variety of a fixed or portable stored energy type system. Stored energy meaning that there is a stored amount of water and compressed air. These systems can come in many sizes and designs. The duration will depend on the amount of stored contents and operator control. www.CompressedAirFoam.com does not recommend nor endorse any specific type system. However, we occasionally get advertisement from system manufacturers. Continue your on-line search with the best of luck and periodically check our page "CAF Systems & Related Equipment" to see if any such systems are listed there.
There are specified hose lengths for CAFS. The mix of solution and air must be scrubbed to form the bubbles. The fire hose does the scrubbing. It takes a minimum of 50 feet of 1" hose (100' of 1-1/2" and 1-3/4") to adequately scrub the bubbles. As far as pressure loss between 50 and 75 feet, the loss would be negligible. In CAF, the hose does the scrubbing which is good. Water has the problem of dealing with friction loss from fire hose. CAF does not. One additional item, some of the stored energy units come with a preconnected reel line. Some fire departments have experienced inconsistant or poor CAF with 3/4" hose lines. Consider using 1" lines.
Check our section on CAF Systems in reference to retrofits. It will depend on the space available for the compressor, the cost and complication to add the system, and the expected remaining life of the truck.
Just about any truck with a centrifugal pump cab have a CAF system added, it just depends on the specific situation. Most seem to use the PTO method of compressor power, if PTO ports are available.
Another consideration is what NFPA "Annex D" will have on the 1989 Mack (bringing the unit up to 1991 Standards).
We at www.CompressedAirFoam.com recommed contacting several engine building companies to get estimates for a conversion. This will give you an indication if it is worth the conversion. Many older trucks have been successfully converted. I one converted a 1981 E-One, adding a 60 cfm auxiliary engine driven compressor, porportioner and foam concentrate tank. The unit is still in service.
CAF works great in structure fires. The increased surface to mass ratio of the bubbles (compared to water drops) results in immediate heat absorption. CAF is applied in a straight stream using smooth bore nozzles (or shut off butts with tips). With the proper CAF, the stream does not interfere with the thermal layers. Having an affinity for carbon, CAF also attaches it self to the un-burnt products (carbon) eliminating ignition. The application of the correct CAF, absorbs the heat so quickly that almost no steam is generated, therefore, there is no steam expansion to push the thermal layer down as occurs using water spray.
First, CAF has the ability to rapidly absorb heat which could have value on grease fires, based on the application of the CAF. CAF is very high energy. A normal CAF stream has a 60 foot reach. Shooting a CAF stream directly into a grease fire could easily blow the grease every where with potentially disastrous results. Depending on the size of a grease fire and the location of the grease, a CAF stream might be aimed just above the fire thus absorbing the heat. CAF might also be bounced off a wall at a grease fire, however, the high energy might still cause a negative effect.
The only way to make a fine mist from CAF is at the far end of the 60 foot stream. This might work only if the nozzle operator can stand 60 feet from the grease. Using any fog nozzle with CAF strips the bubbles away from the foam resulting in the application of foam solution (foam and water only). Foam solution, while much more effective than water, does not have the expanded surface to mass ratio that CAF has, and thus cannot absorb heat as rapidly.
Placing a reducer on a straight or smooth bore nozzle strips some of the bubbles from the foam making a wetter CAF, but the stream still has the same high energy.
An alternative on a grease fire might be to use a dry chemical fire extinguisher (Sodium Bi-Carb type hood system) or to use a foam in a medium expansion, low energy aspirated stream. This way the foam can be lightly applied to flow over the grease.
CAF will always be more effective than water, however, water is not always the solution.
One of our instructors also made a CAF extinguisher using 1 liter of solution. While it does make CAF, it is difficult to regulate the outcome. If CAF is applied too wet, it causes steam conversion that might have a negative effect on a grease fire. If it comes out too dry, it will not absorb the heat. There is no way to insure or regulate the proper ratio when some of the air in the extinguisher is moving the water, and some of the air is mixing with the water. In our instructor's tests of the extinguisher, only a portion of the solution was exhausted. This results in a very short duration exposing the operator to potential hazardous consequences.
Our recommendation is to stay with the current NFPA and UFC standards for extinguishment of grease fires.
If your experimentation continues and you solve any of the above concerns, please let us know
Many responders forget that CAFS produces high velocity streams. These streams certainly increase our
reach, stand off distance and thus safety at Class B incidents. But, that high velocity stream can severely
disrupt the protection of the Class B blanket that is being produced. When producing a blanket on polar
solvents the higher percentage rate being provided actually produces more of a membrane then a film such as
is the result at lower percentages on simple hydrocarbons. This membrane helps isolate the polar fuel from the
water that composes the majority of the foam. That same membrane can be breached from a variety of sources such as
turnout boots, high velocity streams and etc. It's been noted that the membrane doesn't reseal as quickly as does
the film in straight AFFF. During a training evolution note the sticky membrane that attaches it self to your
personnel's gear.
Another safety point to consider is the need to never allow a stream to be plunged into a pool or tank fire
due to the thermal dynamics that may exist subsurface. A high velocity CAFS stream certainly can have a
penetrating effect from a misdirected smooth bore nozzle. Many agencies require there personnel to use fog
nozzles during Class B application in order to have a wide pattern available for protection from radiant heat
in the event of a flare up.
These are just a few thoughts on this in depth subject for you to consider. Many facts, scenario's and
unfortunate events are studied and taken into consideration in the formation of NFPA standards. We commend
you on starting your research prior to committing your forces.
CAF is very effective in structure fires. Compressed Air Foam is applied in straight stream form
using a smooth bore nozzle. The straight stream does not interfere with the heat layers. The heat will
not drop to the floor level. CAF will instantly take the carbon out of the smoke increasing visibility
and will simultaneously reduce the heat.
Compressed Air Foam is applied wet (using a 1" smooth bore tip) by painting all the surfaces around a door
and especially the ceiling to overwhelm BTU production and reduce the heat and smoke. It is the bubbles that
reduce the heat. The bubbles must be applied at the ceiling level as well as at all levels. If the door is
partially open (as in your example) some of the CAF bubbles will float into the room reducing the heat as you
make your way down the corridor.
You are partially correct in what you read. It does say a brief application of
DRY foam will cause extreme thermal disruption. The key word here being
DRY FOAM. Dry foam has a higher air than water ratio. The high air volume can not
only disrupt the thermal layer, but there is inadequate water in the foam to absorb the heat. The
water will turn to steam, expanding and cause thermal layer disruption.
In a structure fire, CAF MUST be applied WET, with a higher water than air ratio.
There will be no disruption of the thermal layers and there is adequate water to absorb the heat. The heat
absorption is so fast that almost no steam conversion occurs. WET CAF is applied by directing
the straight stream in an inverted U shaped pattern across the ceiling and up and down the walls, painting
all the surfaces with the WET bubbles.
In early CAF use in the 1990's, many firefighters were attacking structure fires with too
DRY CAF. Statement #1 is a MYTH based on these DRY attacks.
It depends on the system. There are stored energy systems that get the air from stored pressure tanks.
Some systems use tanks as small as SCBA tanks. Others use larger compressed air tanks.
On the constant flow systems, a compressor is used. Cfm ranges from 35 to 200. The small units use piston
compressors, the larger units use screw type compressors.
The amount of air required depends on the application. A 35 cfm compressor can supply a 1" hose line.
A 200 cfm compressor can supply 4 hose outlets, a deck gun and an auxiliary outlet.
The ratio of water to air that is applied will depend on the specific application, usually either for direct
flame extinguishment or for application of a protective foam blanket.
Compressed air foam systems are generally operated between 80-140 psi, again depending on the specific application.
1st, congratulations on the purchase of your new CAF system. Proper operation and application of CAF will
provide tremendous benefit to your community.
With the manual air valve, adjusting both valves will provide an infinite number of
Solution: Air ratios.
The goal is to provide the optimum ratio for the finished foam needed - a wet foam for extinguishment
(higher solution ratio) and a dryer fluid foam (higher air ratio) for the protection blanket. Many environmental
factors can effect both the optimum ratio and finished foam. The optimum ratio in Phoenix might be slightly
different than the optimum ratio in Maine. The recommendation is to follow the manufacturer's direction,
continue practicing with the CAF, and adjust as you see fit for your particular needs and environment.
As far as the hose goes, there are special CAF hoses available on the market and for a price. However,
using the appropriate length of standard fire hose will provide adequate scrubbing to form the needed
finished foam. No special hose is necessary.
In order to have a long and happy relationship with your CAF System, detailed class-room with hands-on
instruction is highly recommended. See this site's section on INSTRUCTION. Waterous offers a
full day in-house DELIVERY INSTRUCTION CLASS utilizing a cadre of instructors located around the country. Also check out their
CLASS SCHEDULE SITE
to see if one is already scheduled in your area. inFOAMation associates
also offers quality in-house instruction tailored to meet your specific needs.