FireFlex Systems Inc. ICAF System, Operation & Maintenance Manual

Page: 8 / 41

Page 1 of 6
ICAF - Integrated Compressed Air Foam System
A
General Section
FM-0723-0-7H
General
1. Applicable Standards
Design and installation of CAF (Compressed Air Foam)
system is covered by chapter 7 of the NFPA 11. Complete
design and installation shall be prepared in full accordance
with
F
IRE
F
LEX
's Design Manual (FM-090M-0-01).
Working plans shall be prepared only by persons fully
experienced and qualified in the design of fixed Compressed
Air Foam systems. Working plans shall be reviewed by
F
IRE
F
LEX
's engineering department prior to installation. No
deviation from these documents shall be made without prior
permission from
F
IRE
F
LEX
Systems Inc.
Before the installation, the contractor installing the system
shall be familiar with the following documents and standards:
-
NFPA 11, Standard for Low, Medium and High-Expansion
Foam
-
NFPA 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler
Systems;
-
NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code;
-
Applicable Local & State Building Codes;
-
Any additional requirements of the Local Authority Having
Jurisdiction.
2. Listings and Approvals
In addition to being fabricated under strict ISO-9001
manufacturing and quality control procedures, your ICAF
system has also been tested and approved by Factory
Mutual Research <FM> under the heading: "Integrated
Compressed Air Foam Extinguishing System for Fixed Piping
Networks, "Class 5135" when installed with specific
components.
CAUTION ! Any unauthorized modification or addition made
on-site to a factory built Approved system will void this
Approval. Such modifications or additions may also void
the system's warranty as well. Consult
F
IRE
F
LEX
Systems
Inc. Engineering Department before proceeding with any
such modifications or additions.
3. Environment
The ICAF system shall be installed in a dry and clean
location. Verify that all equipment is properly heated and
protected to prevent freezing and physical damage.
The system and its components must be kept free of foreign
matter,
freezing conditions, corrosive atmospheres,
contaminated water supplies, and any condition that could
impair its operation or damage the components.
The frequency of the inspections and maintenance will vary
depending on these environmental conditions. The owner is
responsible for maintaining the fire protection system and
devices in proper operating condition.
4. General Description
CAF (Compressed Air Foam) is formed by combining air
under pressure, water and foam concentrate in the right
proportions, and then sending it through piping for distribution
on the protected area.
ICAF (Integrated Compressed Air Foam) system for fixed
piping networks consist of a complete system including the
compressed air supply equipment, the water control valve,
the foam tank and a mixing chamber, all pre-assembled, pre-
wired and factory tested. All electrical and mechanical
components of the system are contained in single or multiple
units and ready to be connected to a fixed piping network.
The CAF is carried using standard piping network as used for
conventional sprinkler or foam systems. To distribute the
CAF over the hazard area, nozzles specially developed for
CAF are used. These nozzles are offered in different types
for various applications. The nozzles are rotary type and
insure uniform CAF distribution over the protected area.
A detection network is used in parallel with the open type
nozzles. This network may be pneumatic or electric and may
be actuated by manual, fixed temperature, rate-of-rise
temperature, smoke or other means. When the detection
system operates, it gives an alarm and activates the ICAF
system. Because ICAF systems are often used in extra-
hazard occupancies, electrical and pneumatic detection
systems are by far the most common.
The connections required for installation are the water supply
inlet, the compressed air and the foam concentrate
interconnection with the system trim, CAF discharge outlet,
open type main drain, electrical connections with air cylinders
pressure transducer, water tank low level switches (when
applicable) and the electrical detection and alarm
connections. The discharge outlet is connected to a fixed
piping system of open nozzles.
The ICAF system is supervised in order to monitor its
integrity. The electrical detectors and associated wiring are
also supervised.
Note: Each ICAF system and mixing chamber is identified
with its unique serial number, which format is ARC00000
or NFS00000 and MIX00000. This number is located
inside the cabinet and on a sticker on the mixing chamber.
It is used as a reference to maintain records in our
computerized data base. Have these serial numbers
handy when calling for information on your unit.
5. Features
Your ICAF system is superior to many other products
available on the market now and has been manufactured by
the company that has introduced and developed the concept
of integrated fire protection systems on the market.
Main features are:
-
Very efficient suppression capability using a minimal
amount of water
-
Trouble free design for safe and easy application
-
Available in different sizes and configurations to suit
hazards requirements