Foam SupPression Systems
Caruth offers a full, turnkey foam suppression system solution. During development, Caruth designs and installs the foam suppression system. Once the building is occupied, Caruth inspects, services and monitors the building’s foam suppression system to verify that the system is compliant and operating as intended.
Purpose
The purpose of a foam suppression system is to control and extinguish flammable liquid fires by smothering them with a layer of foam. The system uses foam concentrate, water, and air to generate foam that blankets the fuel surface, preventing the release of flammable vapors and suppressing the fire. Foam systems are commonly used in areas with a high risk of fuel spills, such as aircraft hangars, flammable liquid storage areas, and chemical processing facilities.
Types
There are three main types of foam suppression systems: Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF), Protein Foam, and Alcohol-Resistant Foam (AR Foam). AFFF is widely used and effective for suppressing fires involving hydrocarbon fuels. Protein Foam is suitable for fires with polar solvents and alcohol-based fuels. AR Foam is specifically designed to combat fires caused by alcohols and other polar solvents. The selection of the foam type depends on the specific fire risk and the type of fuel involved. Caruth’s team is familiar with most types of foam suppression systems.