Best Proportioner Type for Hangar Foam System?

12/27/2024

We have a project for a Aircraft Hangar Group II. We will be designing the foam system based on Inline balance pressure proportioning design under NFPA 16 Annex material.

The protected area has been divided into 3 zones. We are using an 8" Alarm check valve with a closed-head sprinkler for each zone. So the fire line is fully pressurized with water.

What proportioner should I be using?

Is it an inline balance pressure proportioner or a wide range / variable range proportioner better to get the 3% concentration when foam discharge at the nozzle?

Thanks in advance.

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7 Comments

Glenn Berger

12/27/2024 08:24:47 am

Your question does not mention how is the foam being delivered to the proportioner. You do need to work with the foam supplier and get their details on their approved system configuration.

Dan Wilder

12/27/2024 09:02:01 am

The proportioner is a part of the system as a whole from the foam storage to the discharge and there are several factors to be considered from supply curves to balancing and testing.

As Glenn stated, the foam provider needs to be involved early to best provide a system that works for the protection schemes, building, systems, and hazards.

Shawn R. Block

12/27/2024 10:26:47 am

I agree with Glenn and Dan. It is more important than ever to be working with a foam manufacturer. Especially if selecting the Closed-Head Foam-Water option for a Group II Aircraft Hangar. Many manufactures have discontinued (or are phasing out) AFFF and have switched to Synthetic Fluorine Free Foam (SFFF) listed for firefighting use for Class B fires including hydrocarbon fuels. The difference using SFFF is not a one for one comparison (or replacement) with AFFF. The manufacturer will guide you on which form proportioner would be appropriate for your system. Furthermore, they should be able to provide you with information on sprinklers (discharge devices) listed with their foam concentrate and the design density for that sprinkler. Keep in mind it may be higher than 0.16 GPM/SF than what NFPA 16/ NFPA 409 prescribes.

Jack G

12/27/2024 11:51:11 am

A few years back we did a similar installation at McGuire AFB.
We used an inline proportioner for each of 24 systems. The systems were supplied by a 48 inch manifold supplied by 5 -- 2500 gpm pumps.
The proportioners were supplied by 16 inch ss pipe fed from a 3000 gpm pump. There was 1m gallon storage tank and a 20 ft high foam tank.
All the trim on the valves thst touched foam or foam water should be black or ss. ( galv breaks down with foam) None of the foam water systems should be galv pipe for the same reason.
Most importantly we installed pressure tanks ( young) as the foam systems in the 100 ft high hanger with lights at the ceiling ( w/o tanks the pressure would rise to 300 psi and the systems would over pressurize in the direction the sun would move -- which was logical ) this is a very important step. -( foam water has a specific gravity > 1.0)
Also important is that all gaskets that touch foam water or concentrate , must be rated for foam, and NOT red rubber, as red rubber becomes brittle and when tha pump or jockey kicks on there is danger of blowing out -- actually they will blow out )
Relief valves on the systems were not an option as constant " relief was a disposal problem and depletes the foam in the tanks over time.
( we got contracts to " fix" foam systems at 2 other bases that " followed the Army spec )
The pumps acted sequentially with specific drops in pressure. Diffucult to set up.
I am assuming from your question you are new to this so i went thru the " big differences" of what should be installed and the specifications.
Hoping this was helpfull.

Jesse

12/27/2024 12:23:03 pm

Another in agreement with Glenn and Dan. Really need to have the foam supplier involved in this.

Gérald

12/27/2024 02:23:12 pm

I would recommand a Firedos or a Firemiks or a Firepacks system according to FM approved With listed spk heads and SFFF emulsifier adéquate for the hangar height.

José Figueroa

12/27/2024 04:06:24 pm

I agree with many of the comments above. It’s important to involve the foam supplier in the decision-making process and to use <FM> materials. Given your requirement for a consistent 3% foam concentration at the nozzle across different zones, the “Inline Balance Pressure Proportioner” would generally be the more suitable option. However, this is mainly an educated guess.

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Best Proportioner Type for Hangar Foam System?

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