Evaluation of Surfactant Enhanced Water Mist Performance

• Published in: Fire technology 2009-09, Vol.45 (3), p.341-354
• Main Authors: LeFort, Georges, Marshall, André W, Pabon, Martial
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Additives; Applied sciences; Building technical equipments; Buildings; Buildings. Public works; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Civil Engineering; Classical Mechanics; Detection. Firefighting. Smoke control. Evacuation; Engineering; Exact sciences and technology; Experiments; Fire protection; Fires; Flammability; Hydrocarbons; Mist; Physics; Surfactants; Water; Water supply; Water use
• ISSN: 0015-2684; 1572-8099
• DOI: 10.1007/s10694-008-0068-2

Water-mist technology provides efficient fire suppression for compartments while minimizing water usage. Even with the many advantages of water mist systems, there is still room for improvement. Water mist systems have demonstrated effectiveness at suppressing flammable liquids (Class B) fires in compartments. However, an especially challenging fire suppression scenario for water mist systems is the small Class B fire. This scenario is often realized after a large fire has been reduced in size or 'controlled' by water mist. The small fire scenario is challenging because a small fire may not be able to generate enough vaporized water to displace sufficient oxygen for complete extinction. It should also be noted that even if the Class B fire is extinguished with a water mist system, re-ignition from the hot surrounding surfaces may occur at any time. In the present work, an additive is introduced into the water supply and its effect on the water mist suppression performance is studied. This ForafacTM additive is a specific formulation, which includes fluorinated surfactants for creating a robust fire suppression foam. The enhanced suppressant exiting the mist nozzle is dispersed in the form of small droplets (not as a continuous foam) similar to a pure water mist spray. However, these droplets create a foam blanket on the surface of the fire, which acts to isolate the fuel from the air. With this formulation, the efficiency of the water mist system is improved even on small fires and most importantly the re-ignition of class B fires is prevented.