EFFECTS OF COMPRESSED AIR FOAM APPLICATION ON HEAT

• Main Authors: Adam THOMITZEK, Jan ONDRUCH, Dana CHUDOVÁ, Petr KUČERA
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: VŠB – Technical University of Ostrava, Faculty of Safety Engineering 2015-12-01
• Series: Transactions of the VŠB: Technical University of Ostrava, Safety Engineering Series
• Subjects: compressed air foam system; CAFS; extinguishing effect; temperature; firefighting; temperature curve
• Online Access: http://www.degruyter.com/downloadpdf/j/tvsbses.2015.10.issue-2/tvsbses-2015-0009/tvsbses-2015-0009.xml

This article evaluates the knowledge obtained in firefighting tests using compressed air foam system (CAFS) within a confined space. Six experiments were conducted for verification during the cooling of rooms and the self-extinguishing effect. The simulation was for a fully developed fire within a room. The fuel was chosen to simulate ordinary combustible materials utilized in residential areas. Mantel thermocouples were placed in the rooms to record the temperature changes. Compressed air foam was first applied with a standard fire hose nozzle to the ceiling and then to the epicenter of fire. Fire extinguishing was initiated after reaching the desired temperature in the room. The temperature for the start of fire extinguishing matched the third phase of development of a fire. Fire extinguishing was terminated after no obvious signs of fire were shown in epicenter of fire. The outputs of the experiments were evaluated on the basis of the amount of time passed for the temperature to drop below the suggested limit. Individual experiments were also conducted with various different admixing foaming agents over different locations. In the experiments, it has been verified that the application of compressed air foam has a positive effect on room cooling. Use of a compressed air foaming agent does not allow for the development of steam that can scald firefighters and reduce visibility. Furthermore, the extinguishing agent used is more efficient utilizing less water flow out of the fire area.