Engine Ops_Foam.pdf

SECTION TOPICS Foam Reference Elkhart Brass Inline Eductor Task Force Tip PRO/Pak SECTION OBJECTIVES Understand different classifications of foam concentrates Understand basic operating pressures and flow rates for the PRO/Pak Understand the operating ranges of Class A and Class B Foam Demonst...

SECTION TOPICS Foam Reference Elkhart Brass Inline Eductor Task Force Tip PRO/Pak SECTION OBJECTIVES Understand different classifications of foam concentrates Understand basic operating pressures and flow rates for the PRO/Pak Understand the operating ranges of Class A and Class B Foam Demonstrate how to clean the PRO/Pak after use Understand the difference between Polar Solvents and Hydrocarbons Understand the dangers of mixing different types of Foam concentrate Understand basic Foam Operations and how to troubleshoot problems Identify all the components of the inline eductor Understand situations in which Class A and Class B Foam should be used Understand the pressure needed for the 95 GPM and 125 GPM eductors Successfully identify all parts of the PRO/Pak State the maximum hose lengths that can be used with each eductor Discuss tactical considerations for the PRO/Pak Understand how to operate the inline eductor Second Edition 01/31/22 20 TYPES OF FOAM Class A Foam Class B Foam o Older Class B Foam will be in the 3-6% range; newer Class B Foam will be in the 13% range CFD foam has a nearly unlimited shelf life when left in sealed containers Foam carried on engines comes in 5-gallon pails EXAMPLE OF CLASS A USE Ordinary combustible materials, such as overhaul at a house fire (.1 1%) Recommended application rates: o Air Aspirating Nozzle (PRO/Pak low and medium nozzles): 0.3-0.5% o Non-Air Aspirating Nozzle (SM-20FLP): 0.3-0.6% EXAMPLE OF CLASS B USE Fuel spills and vehicle fires Recommended application rates: o Hydrocarbons, such as gasoline or diesel, do not mix with water; they float on top. A 3% application rate is recommended o Polar solvents, such as alcohol base or acetone, do mix with water. A 6% application rate is recommended TROUBLE SHOOTING FOAM OPERATIONS Excessive back pressure in the foam system is the most common cause of eductor failure. This can be caused by any of the following: o Kinks in the hose line o Nozzle elevated too high above the eductor o Too much hose between the eductor and the nozzle o Nozzle clogged or not fully opened; clogged pickup tube o Nozzle GPM does not match the eductor GPM o Pressure at eductor is too low (Elkhart inline eductor=200 psi; PRO/Pak=100 psi) o Poor maintenance leading to a clogged control unit or stuck check valve ball Second Edition 01/31/22 21 COMPONENTS Control Unit Percentage Knob Pull Pins Twist Grip Flow Control Tank (2.5 Gallons) Outlet Hose (2 long) Straight Stream Nozzle Low Expansion Nozzle 37 Medium Expansion Nozzle 9 Tank Fill Cap Selector Wheel PRESSURE AND FLOW Minimum pressure 40 PSI (7 GPM); maximum pressure 500 PSI (27 GPM) Recommended pressure 100 PSI at the PRO/Pak (12 GPM) CLASS A USE Ordinary combustible materials, such as mop-up and overhaul operations. The recommended percentage knob setting for Class A operations ranges from 0.1% 1% CLASS B USE Fuel spills and vehicle fires Hydrocarbons (gasoline, diesel) are fuels that are mostly distilled from crude oil or vegetable matter. Hydrocarbons do not mix with water; they float on top. The recommended percentage knob setting for hydrocarbons is 3% Polar solvents (alcohol base, amines, acetone, ethers, esters, ketones) do mix with water. The recommended percentage knob setting for polar solvents is 6% PRO/PAK ASSEMBLY Attach fire hose to the coupling on the inlet side of the PRO/Pak Connect the outlet hose to the control unit Select the appropriate nozzle and connect it to the outlet hose CLEANING AFTER USE Reduce pump pressure to 100 PSI or less. Remove the nozzle and hose from the unit Remove the two pull pins, then pull straight up to remove the control unit from the tank Install the cap on the outlet of the control unit Turn flow control valve until a trickle of clean water flows out the end of the pickup tube Turn the percentage knob back and forth to make sure all foam passages are flushed Shut off the water, reinstall the control unit on the tank, and insert the pull pins Remove the cap Second Edition 01/31/22 22 COMPONENTS Pick Up Tube Metering Device PRESSURE AND FLOW 200 PSI required at the eductor The 95 GPM eductor should be used with a SM20-FLP nozzle. The max hose that can be used between this eductor and the nozzle is 400 The 125 GPM eductor should be used with a SM20-FLP nozzle. The max hose that can be used between this eductor and the nozzle is 200 CLASS A USE Ordinary combustible materials, such as mop-up and overhaul operations. The recommended percentage knob setting for Class A operations ranges from 0.1% 1% CLASS B USE Fuel spills and vehicle fires Hydrocarbons (gasoline, diesel) are fuels that are mostly distilled from crude oil or vegetable matter. Hydrocarbons do not mix with water; they float on top. The recommended percentage knob setting for hydrocarbons is 3% Polar solvents (alcohol base, amines, acetone, ethers, esters, ketones) do mix with water. The recommended percentage knob setting for polar solvents is 6% EDUCTOR OPERATION Select the appropriate foam concentrate for the burning fuel Place the foam concentrate by the eductor Open enough foam concentrate to handle the task, and request more if needed Check the eductor and nozzle for compatibility as listed above Adjust the eductor metering valve to the desired percentage Attach the eductor to a hose capable of effectively flowing the rated capacity of the eductor and nozzle Attach the attack line and the appropriate nozzle to the discharge side of the eductor; see above restrictions on hose length between the eductor and the nozzle Place the eductor pick up tube into the foam concentrate and charge the hose line to the appropriate pressure (200 PSI at the eductor) Second Edition 01/31/22 23