FireFlex Systems Inc. ICAF System, Operation & Maintenance Manual

Page: 32 / 41

Page 1 of 4
ICAF -
Integrated Compressed Air Foam System
G
Foam Supply Section
FM-0723-0-13G
Foam Supply Section
Refer to figure 1 for foam storage tank schematic.
1. Foam Storage Tank
Foam concentrate is stored inside a stainless steel pressure
vessel type tank
(T1) stamped according to ASME
Section VIII Div. 1. Storage tank is normally unpressurized;
maximum working pressure is 150 psi (1034 kPa). The tank
is supplied with a safety relief valve
(T8) set at 135 psi
(931 kPa) for protection against over-pressurization.
Foam storage tank is factory assembled and includes all the
valves, trim and hardware as shown on figure 1. Manual
valve
(T3) is provided to fill the tank with foam concentrate as
well as the valve (T6) to release the air pressure after a CAF
discharge. A sight gauge (T5) is also provided to allow visual
verification of the tank foam concentrate normal level.
2. Foam Concentrate
CAF system shall be used with the following foam
concentrates and concentrations:
Foam concentrate Concentration
Hydrocarbons
Ansul Ansulite 3X3 LV 2%
Polar Solvents
Ansul Ansulite 3X3 LV 6%
Shelf Life
The shelf life of any foam concentrate is maximized by
proper storage conditions and maintenance. Factors
affecting shelf life are wide temperature changes, extreme
high or low temperatures, evaporation, dilution, and
contamination by foreign materials. Properly stored foam
concentrates have been tested and shown no significant loss
of fire fighting performance, even after 15 years. For further
details, see the Foam Concentrate Data Sheet.
Environmental and Toxicological Information
Foam concentrates used with Compressed Air Foam
Systems are biodegradable. However, as with any
substance, care should be taken to prevent discharge from
entering ground surface water, or storm drains. Since
facilities vary widely by location, disposal should be made in
accordance with federal, state and local regulations.
For
further details, see the foam Concentrate Data Sheet and
Material Safety Data Sheet.
3. Foam tank design and selection
The capacity established at the design stage is based on
both the maximum system flow and discharge time required
for the largest single hazard protected or group of hazards
that are protected simultaneously;
F
IRE
F
LEX
'
S
design
software will take that into account when calculating the
system's capacity.
Consequently, multiple foam tanks can be installed in parallel
to satisfy project requirements.
4. Interconnection Piping to ICAF System
There are two interconnection lines provided on all foam
storage tanks. One connection is used to pressurize the
foam storage tank with compressed air
(circled item 3) , the
other to provide foam concentrate to the mixing chamber
(circled item 2) . Piping between the foam storage tank and
the ICAF System is factory prepared according to the
installation arrangement and supplied with the system.
5. Operation
Foam storage tank
The storage tank (T1) contains foam concentrate under
atmospheric pressure in normal conditions. Upon actuation
of the system, the foam pneumatically activated control
valve
(F1) opens, pressurizing the storage tank with air and
expelling the foam concentrate in the foam injection line
through a dip tube
(T2) . Foam concentrate is then injected in
the mixing chamber (C1) through a calibrated orifice (C2)
sized to generate CAF in the correct proportions.
Foam tank normal conditions
Before placing the foam tank in service, verify that the piping
between the foam tank and the ICAF System is properly
installed and secured.
1. Tank foam refill valve (T3) is locked
CLOSED
.
2. Tank vent valve (T9) is locked
CLOSED
.
3. Tank vent valve (T6) is locked
CLOSED
.
4. Sight gauge isolation valves (T4) are locked
CLOSED
.
5. Foam tank pressure gauge (T7) shows 0 psi (0 kPa)
pressure.
Sight gauge
The sight gauge (T5) is a device used to provide visual
indication of the foam concentrate level in the storage
tank
(T1) during the system periodic inspections. Sight
gauge (T5) shall not show any reading during normal stand-
by and operating conditions since both its isolation
valves
(T4) should be locked
CLOSED
.
Level check procedure
Under normal condition:
Under normal standby conditions, foam storage tank (T1) is
not pressurized. Sight gauge (T5) should not show any
reading.
1. Verify that foam storage tank pressure gauge (T7)
shows 0 psi (0 kPa) pressure.
2.
OPEN
both sight gauge isolation valves (T4).
3.
SLOWLY OPEN
tank vent valve (T6), allowing the foam
concentrate stored in the tank to reach its level in the
sight gauge tube.