Сравнение эффективности компрессионной пены и пены низкой кратности AFFF

Abstract

PURPOSE. In 2020 information on the possibility of using compressed air foam – a new fire extinguishing agent for extinguishing class B fires – was introduced into the regulatory field of the Russian Federation in the sphere of fire safety. The purpose of the article is to compare fire-fighting efficiency of compressed air foam and low expansion air-mechanical foam based on film-forming foam agents. Reliability coefficient that levels out confluence of factors worsening conditions for extinguishing a fire at a real object relative to a model fire was formulated. METHODS. The research methods lie in comparing the current regulations for designing automatic foam firefighting installations and standardized methods for testing them. FINDINGS. Test procedures differ, but in all respects the requirements for low expansion foam are more stringent. Compressed air foam has a 14 % lower fire extinguishing efficiency, and reduced standard intensity of its supply is explained by an almost 3–6 times lower reliability coefficient. RESEARCH APPLICATION FIELD. The obtained results can be used to justify foam type when designing automatic fixed foam firefighting installations. CONCLUSIONS. GOST 34714–2021, introduced in 2023, does not contain methods for determining fire extinguishing efficiency of compressed air foam and requires improvement. Reducing reliability coefficient of compressed air foam significantly increases the risk of foam fire extinguishing installations failure when using such foam at industrial facilities.