FlammableLiquid FireSolutions

FoamFire Protection

Systemsfrom

Ansul

FlammableLiquid FireSolutions

FoamFire Protection

Systemsfrom

Ansul

If your company…

your risk of a devastating fire is very real.

manufactures,stores,

dispenses,processes,

ortransports

flammable liquids...

If your company…

your risk of a devastating fire is very real.

manufactures,stores,

dispenses,processes,

ortransports

flammable liquids...

ANSUL Fire SolutionsANSUL Fire Solutions

In 1939, Ansul entered the fire protection marketwith the introduction of the first cartridge-operated, dry chemical fire extinguishers. Ansulfurther applied that dry chemical technology bydeveloping wheeled extinguishers, large hand-hose line skid units, fixed automatic suppressionsystems, and hazard specific systems to protectindustrial hazards, restaurant kitchens, andoff-road vehicles.

In the 1960’s, Ansul teamed with the U.S. Navyto develop the first foam-compatible drychemical and later introduced the twin-agentconcept combining the fast knockdowncapability of dry chemical with the securingpower of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF).

Ansul fully entered the foam systems market inthe 1970’s when we began to develop our ownline of synthetic foam agents. Today, with over20 years of experience in foam technology,Ansul provides a full line of quality foamconcentrates, agent storage tanks, proportioningequipment and discharge devices. AnsulGermany provides additional foam productsand services which further enhance our abilityto serve our domestic, international, and multi-national customers.

The First Multifunction FoamThe First Multifunction Foam

In 1988, Ansul chemists invented Ansulite® 3x3Foam Concentrate, the first alcohol-resistantAFFF capable of being used at a 3%concentration on BOTH polar-solvent andhydrocarbon fuels. (Conventional agentsrequired 3% for hydrocarbons and 6% for polarsolvents.) And later, those same Ansul scientistsdeveloped Ansulite® 3x3 Foam Concentrate inan exclusive low viscosity formula. Today,Ansulite® 3x3 is still the only low viscosity,multifunction foam that can offer all of thesebenefits...

� Simple – One agent proportioned at 3% onboth hydrocarbon and polar solvent (alcohol-resistant) fuels.

� Lower viscosity makes it suitable for use in allfoam proportioning equipment includingeductors, around-the-pump systems, bladdertanks, balanced pressure pump systems, andcrash-fire-rescue vehicles.

� Superior firefighting performance and lowerrequired application rates for various polar-solvents including oxygenated fuels like MTBE.

� UL-listed and FM-approved for a wide varietyof hardware and applications.

� Creates a thick, durable foam blanket suitablefor spilled fuel and fuming acid vaporsuppression.

� Reduced system hardware and installationcosts using smaller tank sizes, pipe diameters,pumps, and motors.

� Not subject to the reporting requirements ofSARA Title III, Section 313.

LOW VISCOSITY

What is firefighting foam?What is firefighting foam?

How do foam agents work?How do foam agents work?

Simply stated, firefighting foam is a stable massof small, air-filled bubbles with a lower densitythan oil, gasoline, or water. Foam is made up ofthree ingredients…water, a foam concentrate,and air. Water is mixed with a foam concentrate(proportioned) to form a foam solution. Thissolution is then mixed with air (aspirated) toproduce a foam which readily flows over fuelsurfaces.

Balanced pressure proportioning is the most commonmethod used for foam system applications. The foamconcentrate pressure is balanced with the water pressureat the proportioner inlets allowing the proper amount offoam concentrate to be metered into the water stream.

With an aspirating dischargedevice, foam solution passesthrough an orifice, past airinlets, and into an expansionarea to produce an expandedfoam. With nonaspiratingdevices, foam solution passesthrough the orifice anddischarge outlet where itmixes with air enrouteto the fire.

An AFFF agent forms an aqueous film on the surface of ahydrocarbon fuel. An alcohol-resistant concentrate (ARC)will form a polymeric membrane on a polar solvent fuel.

FUEL

AIR

FOAM BLANKET

AQUEOUS FILM ORPOLYMERIC MEMBRANE

NONASPIRATING

ASPIRATING

WATER

FOAM SOLUTION

FOAMCONCENTRATE

OXYGEN

BalancedPressureProportioning

Firefighting foam agents suppress fire byseparating the fuel from the air (oxygen).Depending upon the type of foam agent, thisis done in several ways:

� Foam blankets the fuel surface, smotheringthe fire and separating the flames from thefuel surface.

� The fuel is cooled by the water content ofthe foam.

� The foam blanket suppresses the release offlammable vapors that can mix with air.

Types of ‘Class B’ FoamsTypes of ‘Class B’ Foams

Fluoroprotein Foam ConcentratesFluoroprotein foams are based on hydrolyzedprotein, stabilizers, preservatives, and syntheticfluorocarbon surfactants. When compared toprotein foams, fluoroproteins provide bettercontrol and extinguishment, greater fluidity, andsuperior resistance to fuel contamination.Fluoroprotein foams are useful for hydrocarbonvapor suppression and have been recognized asvery effective fire suppressing agents for sub-surface injection into hydrocarbon fuel storagetanks. Ansul and Ansul Germany offer fluoro-protein foam in a 3% concentrate. AnsulGermany also offers a film-forming fluoropro-tein (FFFP) concentrate.

Alcohol-Resistant Concentrates (ARC)Alcohol-resistant foams are based on AFFFchemistry to which a polymer has been added.ARCs are the most versatile of the foam agentsin that they are effective on fires involvingpolar solvents like methanol as well as hydro-carbon fuels like gasoline. When used on apolar solvent type fuel, the ARC concentrateforms a polymeric membrane which preventsdestruction of the foam blanket. When used onhydrocarbon fuels, the alcohol-resistantconcentrate produces the same rugged aqueousfilm as a standard AFFF agent. Alcohol-resistantconcentrates provide fast flame knockdownand good burnback resistance when used onboth types of fuels. Ansulite® 3x3 and 3% /6%alcohol-resistant AFFF concentrates are available.Ansul Germany offers various 3x3 and 3% /6%alcohol-resistant AFFF concentrates.

Protein Foam ConcentratesProtein foams are recommended for theextinguishment of fires involving hydrocarbons.They are based on hydrolyzed protein, stabilizers,and preservatives. Protein foams produce astable mechanical foam with good expansionproperties and excellent burnback resistancecharacteristics. Ansul and Ansul Germany offerprotein foam as 3% and 6% concentrates.

High Expansion Foam ConcentratesHigh expansion foams are based on combina-tions of hydrocarbon surfactants and solvents.They are used with foam generators for applyingfoam to large areas in total flooding and three-dimensional applications such as warehouses,ship cargo holds, and mine shafts. They areespecially useful on fuels such as liquefiednatural gas (cryogenic fuels) for vapor dispersionand control. In certain concentrations, highexpansion foams are effective on hydrocarbonspill fires of most types and in confined areas.Ansul offers Jet-X® high-expansion foam in a2.75% concentrate. Ansul Germany also offersvarious high-expansion foam concentrates.

Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF)AFFFs are based on combinations of fluoro-chemical surfactants, hydrocarbon surfactants,and solvents. These agents require a very lowenergy input to produce a high quality foam.Consequently, they can be applied through awide variety of foam delivery systems. Thisversatility makes AFFF an obvious choice forairports, refineries, manufacturing plants,municipal fire departments, and any otheroperation involving the transportation,processing, or handling of flammable liquids.Ansulite® AFFF is available as 1%, 3%, and 6%concentrates or as 1% and 3% freeze-protectedconcentrates. Ansul Germany offers 1% and 3%AFFF concentrates – regular and freeze-protected.

Typical Foam-Water Sprinkler System OperationTypical Foam-Water Sprinkler System Operation

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Fire breaks out in the rack storagearea of a flammable liquidwarehouse.

Rising heat from the fire rupturesthe quartzoid bulb(s) in thesprinkler head(s) which startsthe flow of water.

Flowing water opens the alarmcheck valve which allows waterto open the hydraulic foamconcentrate valve and operatethe water-motor gong.

Foam concentrate flows fromthe bladder tank into theproportioner where it is mixedwith the flowing water at thedesigned foam solutionpercentage.

Foam is generated as the foamsolution discharges through thesprinkler head(s) onto the fire.

The above represents operation ofa typical foam-water sprinklersystem. Although many othertypes of systems are available; abasic foam system will alwaysrequire foam agent storage,proportioning equipment, one ormore discharge devices, and amanual and/or automatic meansof detecting the fire and actuatingthe system.

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Listings/ApprovalsListings/Approvals

Ansul Incorporated (USA) andAnsul Germany hold foam agentand hardware approvals and list-ings from various independentapproval/testing agencies and arein compliance with many standard-making organizations and authori-ties including...� American Bureau of Shipping

(ABS)� Arabian American Oil Company

(ARAMCO)� Australian Dept. of Aviation� Australian Dept. of Defense� Boeing� Canadian General Standards

Board (CGSB)� Det Norske Veritas (DNV)� Deutsches Institut für Normurg

e.v. (DIN)� Factory Mutual Research

Corporation (FMRC)� International Civil Aviation

Organization (ICAO)� Lloyds Registry of Shipping (LRS)� National Fire Protection

Association (NFPA)� Petro-Brasil (PETROBRAS)� Petro-Mexico (PEMEX)� Statens Prouningsansált (SP)� UK Ministry of Defense� Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.

(UL)� Underwriters Laboratories of

Canada (ULC)� United States Coast Guard

(USCG)� United States Military

Specifications

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Ansul Foam System ComponentsAnsul Foam System Components

Proportioning EquipmentProportioning Equipment

Along with the foam agent, threebasic types of equipment make up atypical foam system: proportioningequipment, discharge devices, anddetection/control components.

Proportioning is the introduction of foamconcentrate into a flowing stream of water toproduce a foam solution. Although there areseveral methods of proportioning, fixed foamsystems typically use balanced pressureproportioning equipment.

Bladder Tank Systems

Bladder tank systems use a pressure-rated tankcontaining a nylon reinforced elastomericbladder to store the foam concentrate. Systemwater pressure is used to squeeze the bladderproviding foam concentrate, at the samepressure, to the proportioner. With bladdertank systems, no external power source isrequired and little maintenance is needed.

In-Line Balanced Pressure Proportioners

In-line balanced pressure proportioners are sim-ilar to pump skids, except that the proportioningassembly, including the automatic balancingvalve, is remote from the pump and storagetank. A pressure control valve is added to thefoam concentrate return line to maintain aconstant pressure to the proportioner. Multipleassemblies can be supplied from a single tankand pump to protect several hazard areas.

Pump Skids

Pump skids (or balanced pressure pump propor-tioning systems) are used in combination withatmospheric storage tanks which are typically ofpolyethylene or fiberglass construction. Whilefoam concentrate is pumped from the storagetank to the proportioner, an automatic pressurebalancing valve regulates the foam concentratepressure to match the water pressure.

Foam Monitors

Foam monitors are designed to control thehorizontal and vertical directions of largecapacity discharge streams. Water-oscillatingmonitors will automatically move side-to-sideusing water pressure as the energy source.Remote controlled monitors use an electric joy-stick tied into a hydraulic system. Other monitorsare operated manually using a tiller bar to con-trol direction and elevation. Various aspiratingand non-aspirating nozzles are also availablefor use with monitors and/or handlines.

Foam Chambers and Foam Makers

Foam chambers and foam makers are air-aspi-rating devices designed to protect flammableliquid storage tanks. Foam chambers applyexpanded foam gently down the inside of thetank wall onto the liquid surface. High back-pressure foam makers inject expanded foamthrough the tank wall near the bottom of thetank allowing foam to gently rise to the surface.Other types of foam makers are installed in thefoam distribution piping where expanded foamis directed to specific hazards such as dike areasor floating-roof tank seal areas.

In many applications, including aircraft hangarsand loading racks, the fire protection require-ments call for an automatic detection andcontrol system. In these cases, thermaldetectors or quick-response flame detectorsare installed to provide input to an electroniccontrol panel. The control panel provides vitaloutput functions such as sounding alarms,shutting off fuel pumps, monitoring waterflow, supervising valves, and actuating foamsystems. A variety of Ansul detection andcontrol equipment is available from the sim-plest alarm horn to a sophisticated analog-addressable control panel.

Discharge DevicesDischarge Devices

Detection and Control EquipmentDetection and Control Equipment

Discharge devices produce expanded foam anddirect the flow at the point of application. Somefoam discharge devices are special air aspiratingdevices which mix air with the foam solution toform an expanded mass of bubbles. Non-aspirating devices may be used with certain low-expansion foam agents which do not rely on athick blanket of foam to achieve extinguishment.

Sprinkler Heads

Sprinkler heads are available from various man-ufacturers in both nonaspirated and aspiratedversions. Nonaspirated heads with AFFF agentsare more economical and can be used in eitheropen deluge or closed-head sprinkler systems.Aspirated sprinkler heads are required for pro-tein and fluoroprotein foams in deluge systems.

Foam Generators

Foam generators deliver large quantities of foamby expanding foam solution in the range of200:1 to 1000:1. The high-expansion generatoroperates by coating its screen with high-expansion foam solution while air is blownthrough the screen to produce expanded foam.Because of its high expansion ratio, little wateris required to generate large quantities of foamthereby reducing the potential for hazardousrun-off or water damage. Jet-X® foamgenerators are water-powered and requireno other sources of power.

Ansul foam systems protect virtuallyany hazard where flammable liquids arepresent. These hazards are common toa multitude of industries includingPetrochemical, Chemical, Oil and Gas,Aviation, Marine/Offshore, Manufacturing,Utilities, Military, and Transportation.

Flammable Liquid Storage

Refineries

Loading Racks

Dike Areas

Processing Areas

Foam System ApplicationsFoam System Applications

Aircraft Hangars

LNG Storage/Manufacturing

Warehouses

Heliports

Jet Engine Test Facilities

Marine Applications

About Ansul Foam Productsor to request a quotation... Contact Ansul at:

1-800-TO-ANSUL (USA /CAN)

1-715-735-7411 ( International )USA Fax: 1-715-732-3608INT’L Fax: 1-715-732-3477

For worldwide sales offices & manufacturinglocations, or for a listing of authorizeddistributors, visit:

www.ansul.com

For More Information...For More Information...

Get Your Complete FOAM Information Package- including Brochure, Application/Design CD and

High Expansion FOAM Video:

800-346-FOAM or 715-735-7411 www.ansul.com ISO 9001 Registered

Quality foam solutionsfrom Ansul . . .� ANSULITE® AFFF Foam Concentrates� ANSULITE® Alcohol-Resistant Foam

Concentrates� ANSUL® Protein & Fluoroprotein Foam

Agents� SILV-EX® Class A Foam Agent� ANSUL® Foam Proportioning and

Discharge Hardware� ROCKWOOD® Nozzles, Valves and

Proportioners� JET-X™ High-Expansion Foam Agent� JET-X™ High-Expansion Foam Generators

ISO 9001 Registered

ANSUL INCORPORATED, ONE STANTON STREET, MARINETTE, WI 54143-2542 715-735-7411 Form No. F-96149-3 2003 Ansul Incorporated Litho in U.S.A.

ANSUL, ANSULITE, JET-X, SILV-EX, THUNDERSTORM AND TARGET-7 are trademarks of Ansul Incorporated or its affiliates.

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