The Readers

WHAT IS IT FOR?
For firefighters, emulsifiers mixed with water + air are used to produce
from "physical" foam to spears and cannons.
This is "physical" foam and not carbon dioxide snow as they say.
Too often wrongly the media serves to make a carpet of foam on the fires.
hydrocarbons.
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MAKE A GOOD MOUSSE ...
Like for the dishes, 1 dose of product, tap water, and air obtained.
by blending.
This foam will be all the lighter if the mixing is vigorous:
it's the THRIVING.
It will be more compact if the dosage of the product is important:
it's the CONCENTRATION. You see it's simple, well, let's continue....
Let's recap: to make a good physical foam you need water +
The emulsifier creates the "premix" or foaming solution.
This foaming solution mixed with air will create 'Physical Foam', nothing else.
very complicated.
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF PHYSICAL FOAMS
["THE PROLIFERATION","THE DECANTATION","THE FLUIDITY"]
Foaming is the ratio between the volume of foam produced on the
volume of foaming solution.
Example: 600 liters of foam produced by 100 liters of solution = 600/100
= 6 therefore: a proliferation of 6
There are 3 types of funding:
the low proliferation: from 2 to 20;
the means
the top
«
«
from 20 to 200
greater than 200*
The drawback of high-foaming physical foams is that they are very
light because they contain a lot of air and little water, thus very sensitive to
atmospheric conditions such as wind, rain.
They are used for specific interventions (cellar fire, fire in a
fosse).
Decantation: once formed, the foam tends to destroy itself to
return to its initial state of foaming solution (premix).
A settling time of 25% corresponds to the time it takes for the
mousse loses a quarter of its liquid.
Fluidity: quick coverage of the surface as well as in difficult corners.
access.
EXTINCTION MECHANISMS BY MOSS
- by suffocation (chapter 'combustion') because it prevents the supply of air to
the liquid on fire stops the emitted hydrocarbon vapors, isolates the flames
of the fuel.
-Cool down, but the action is lesser.
PRINCIPLES (source WATER and FIRE)
CLASSIFICATION OF EMULSIFIERS
TWO LARGE FAMILIES
-PROTEIN BASES: made from animal proteins (powder
horns, hooves, blood...) These are low-foaming emulsifiers.
-SYNTHETIC BASES: household detergent type with surfactant agents
hydrocarbon assets. These are emulsifiers of all types of foaming.
EMULSIFIERS FOR HYDROCARBON FIRES
Standard proteins
Standard fluoro-proteins and polyvalent ones*
Standard synthetics and multipurpose*
The film-forming agents called standard and versatile synthetic AFFF*
(Agent Formant Floating Film)
The film-forming agents called versatile FFFP fluoroproteins*
A foam extinguisher is said to be 'versatile' when it can be used for all types of fire.
hydrocarbons + alcohol fires.
Why this differentiation? Know that alcohol flames (esters,
ketones, amines...) also known as 'polar lights' have a very high affinity for water and
destroy the foam.
To avoid this, specific emulsifiers must be used, capable of withstanding
the destruction of flames and heat. For this, they are 'versatile'.
THE CONCENTRATION OF AN EMULSIFIER
Concentration is simply the dosage of the product mixed with water.
Example: a 3% emulsifier corresponds to 3 liters of emulsifier for 97 liters.
water.
This dosage is defined by the manufacturer based on the hydrocarbon and
the nature of fires.
THE APPLICATION RATE
It is expressed in Liters per Minute per Square Meter
= L/Mn/M2
To extinguish a hydrocarbon fire, it is not enough to pour foam.
anyway, and wait for the fire to go out!! No, on the contrary, for
To master such fires, a good dosage in pre-mix is required.
It is the APPLICATION RATE.
It is important to know that the application rate and the actual application rate can vary.
function of several parameters:
From the nature of the emulsifier used, from its class
The nature of the burning product (the more volatile it is, the more difficult the extinguishing will be)
From the product category (gasoline, diesel, oil, alcohol, additive, etc.)
From the temperature of the liquid (burning time before extinction)
From the presence of hot spots (metal walls at high temperature)
Of the thickness of the burning liquid
Of the type of foam discharge (gentle, violent, direct, indirect, and
other factors.
- Majorant coefficients ( K ) + f
TABLEAU (for indicative purposes)
Emulsifier
Protein
Fluoro-proteinic
Synthetic
AFFF
Abundance
T.A
Concentration
BF
BF
MF
BF
BF
5 liters per minute per square meter
4l/mn/m2
1.5 liters per minute per square meter
2.5 l/min/m2
3 liters per minute per square meter
5%
5%
3%
3% - 6%
3%
FFFP/AR
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o
Moroccan legislation, like French legislation, sets the rate
application (TA) for oil deposits at 3.33 l/mn/m2 for the
simple hydrocarbons.
(additive hydrocarbons and alcohols are excluded) with a concentration of
3% and a budding of 6 for protein emulsifiers.
This text summarizes: the means of producing foam must allow for
cover with a thickness of 0.20 meters in 10 minutes the surface of the largest
tank containing hydrocarbons of category B / C1 / OR D1 (see chapter
products
WHY 3.33 L/Mn/m2?
quick calculation: 20 cm of foam = 0.02m x 1 m2 = 0.02 m3 or 20 liters which is 20/6=
3.33 l.
This application rate is the minimum to be applied by regulation. The principle
The base generally applied by everyone for protein emulsifiers is:
TA = 5 L/Mn/M2 at 5% for a swelling of 6.
This rule applied, the means gathered and wisely placed, the extinction
must be able to be completed in approximately 10 minutes.
It is clear that progress has been made on emulsifiers since 1967,
and the ministerial instructions aim to redefine the TA .......
In the next chapter that will discuss strategy, we will see how
quickly calculate the means to be implemented.
The technical instruction of November 9, 1989, and the new circular of May 6
1999 concerning the extinguishing of flammable liquid fires in classified installations
determines the capacity of the required emulsifier needs based on
different classes of emulsifiers.
INTERVENTION ON HYDROCARBON FIRES
RETENTION BASIN FIRE
THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES:
Nature of the fire?
Which equipment is concerned?
Its surface, its volume, its importance?
Are the fumes toxic?
Are there any injured? Has the area been evacuated?
Is there a risk of expansion outside the site?
ANALYSIS OF THE SITUATION:
Based on the information, should we trigger the POI?
(the chapter of the Internal Operation Plan will be detailed below)
Determine initially the strategic locations
Are the accesses free (streets - docks, alleys)?
What is the direction of the winds? So as not to face the smoke.
Identify water points for fire vehicles
Is the burning product a "polar" liquid or additive (see emulsifier chapter)?
What means to employ (in materials and personnel)
SITE ANALYSIS:
Determine the strategic locations for rescue operations
Only involve sufficient personnel
Establish a security perimeter
What are the structures to protect urgently?
Proceed to cool down the facilities.
Presence of bins nearby; inquire about the type of bin.
volumes, products, etc..
car: in order of priority, the most at-risk ferry will be:
The smallest
The one with the lowest level
The boat with a fixed roof
The barge with a floating roof
Assess the water needs for the intervention
Assess the need for emulsifiers
and also the staffing needs.
We will see later how to quickly calculate the needs for water and emulsifier.
to combat the disaster and especially to determine if the internal resources are sufficient to
the extinction.
THIS PHASE IS CRUCIAL FOR SUCCESSFULLY ACHIEVING EXTINCTION
THE ATTACK OF THE BOWL FIRE
1st GRAND PRINCIPLE
Reduce the intensity of the spotlight
ATTACK with foam as quickly as possible, even if theapplication rateor TA is not
not reached, it will then be necessary to apply a reduced rate, namely, half of the rate
of application (this is the timing) waiting for help (help
external). It is the power increase, or power curve.
Direct the foam produced by the cannons toward the tank dress.
Protect neighboring equipment by intensive cooling
- Ne pas mettre d'eau dans la cuvette ( détérioration de la mousse)
2nd GREAT PRINCIPLE
NEVER INTERRUPT THE SENDING OF THE FOAM
This is why it is important to ensure sufficient reserves of emulsifier.
in water, and possibly the assistance of public emergency services, and the aids
mutuals.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POI (internal operational plan)
WHAT IS POI? (in brief..)
The POI is a crisis management tool, mandatory for all
establishments classified as 'SEVESO' type. The law designates the Director of the company
as the sole leader of the organization and direction of relief operations
and for fire fighting until the PPI (specific intervention plan) has been
triggered by the Prefect and that the command post has not been set up.
He can designate a qualified frame for fire fighting as provided in the P.O.I.
In case of calling external public emergency services to the company, the organization of
firefighting operations,
the unit of the detachment is under the responsibility of the head of the establishment or of
his representative.
The P.O.I includes several basic principles, namely:
Plan strategies, intervention tactics.
Imagine situations in which the means and missions will be considered.
.
- Establish scenarios. Summary sheets. Plans and diagrams to
day.
Means in men and equipment (logistics).
Evaluate the risks.
Environmental protection.
Notify the neighboring municipalities - the administrations
- The instructions - the on-call duties - the procedures
The training maneuvers with the firefighters etc
THE REGULATORY TEXTS CONCERNING EMULSIFIERS AS WELL,
THE T.A AND GENERAL PRINCIPLES
decree of September 4, 67
Technical instruction of November 9, 1989
Circular of May 6, 1999
QUICK CALCULATION METHOD FOR EXTINCTION
FROM A SURFACE FIRE
RULE OF 5 AND 100
Example of a hydrocarbon fire (non-polar) in a basin of 5000 m2
with a concentration of 6% or 3% (depending on the class of the emulsifier) and
a profusion of 6.
1/- Need for premix
(foam cannon flow)
5000m2 / 5 = 1000 m3/h
Need for emulsifier (flow to pumps 5000m2 /100 = 50 m3/h
emulsifiers
Let :
1050m3/h = 1050000l/60mn = 17500l/mn
Verification:
17500 l/mn/m2 / 5000m2 = 3.5 TA l/mn/m2 (a little more than the legislation)
To achieve this, resources are needed, namely a minimum of foam cannons that
may provide together and without interruption a flow in premix of:
17500 liters per minute
This simple formula allows for a quick assessment of whether internal needs are
sufficient or not and to possibly call for outside assistance to
obtain the necessary means to extinguish the disaster, hence the importance of doing so well
connaître ses moyens disponibles ; en eau, émulseur, équipements mobiles et fixes
as well as in fire pumping.
The Rule (quick decision aid) states that if the initial means are not
présents, les premiers secours attaquent le feu
with a lower emulsifier concentration, awaiting external help (it is
the delay, rate reduced by 2 of the TA) then the
means presenting on the disaster, the possibilities of extinction are accounted for (
it's the rise to power), until reaching
the pre-mix flow rate required.
Once all the means are gathered and the power ramp-up curve is in place,
that is to say the famous 17500l/min minimum and that the reserves in emulsifier are
attacks, ORDER is given to all to move to the decisive phase: extinction.
For those who want to know why the rule of 5 and 100, it will have to be asked,
because it is not necessary to motivate everyone.....