Ethanol… The New Hazard In Town Part II: Foam Delivery Bill Ballantyne

What Municipal Fire Departments Typically Prepare For…

Our Logic… 97% of the fires we encounter are Class A fuels – so carry Class A foam For the occasional Class B fire: Use Class A at 1% - BUT know there is no sealing capability or… Call in the local ARFF truck for mutual aid or… Let it burn

With Ethanol That Logic No Longer Applies Use Class A at 1% - BUT know there is no sealing capability Class A foam does not work on Ethanol Call in the local ARFF truck for mutual aid The ARFF truck only carries AFFF, which also does not work on Ethanol Let it burn Dept of Homeland Security has stated the need to protect critical infrastructure…highways, bridges, railways, ports, etc.

Which Means We Also Need To Prepare For…

So What We Really Need Is… Class A capability for the majority (97%) of the fires we encounter AND… AR-AFFF capability for Ethanol fires

Foam Concentrates - Water Additives Wetting Agents Class A Foam Class B Foam Concentrates Protein & Film Forming Fluoroprotein (FFFP) Aqueous Film Forming Foams (AFFF) Alcohol Resistant-AFFF (AR-AFFF) Emulsifiers / Spill Response Agents Gels The only concentrate effective on Ethanol fires

Proportioning Rates Ratio of concentrate to water Expressed as a percentage 1.0% = 1 unit of concentrate to 99 units of water 3.0% = 3 units of concentrate to 97 units of water 0.5% = 0.5 unit of concentrate to 99.5 units of water

Common Proportioning Rates Class A 0.1% - 1.0% Class B 1%, 3%, 6% (1% x 3%), (3% x 6%), (3% x 3%) (Hydrocarbons x Polar Solvent fuels) Emulsifiers / Gels Varies by manufacturer / usage

Do Not Mix Class A & B Concentrates Result of mixed concentrates (in strainer)

NFPA 1901 Now Requires… For proportioning rates equal or greater than 1%: - 0% to + 30% or 1 percentage point, whichever is less (21.10.2) For proportioning rates less than 1%: - 0% to + 40% (21.10.1) 6% 30% 20% 10% 3% 1% - + 40% Lean Rich Allowable Range: 6%: 6.0 – 7.0% 3%: 3.0 - 3.9% 1%: 1.0 – 1.3% 0.5%: 0.5 – 0.70% 0.2%: 0.2 – 0.28%

Why Is Accuracy So Important? Performance Ability to make wet, fluid or dry foam (Class A foam) Ability to richen for heavy rain (Class B foam) Ability to seal (Class B foam) Logistics Cost Environmental Concerns (Class B)

What Is The Cost Of Inaccuracy? Let’s assume: $20 per gallon for concentrate 5,000 gallons per minute flow rate 3% proportioning rate 10% inaccuracy rate

The Cost Of Inaccuracy Becomes: The logistics of wasted foam: 15 extra gallons per minute 900 extra gallons per hour 9,000 extra gallons per 10 hours The cost of wasted foam: $300 per minute $18,000 per hour $180,000 per 10 hours

Let’s Look At BIG WATER Now assume: $20 per gallon for concentrate 20,000 gallons per minute flow rate 3% proportioning rate 30% inaccuracy rate

Now, The Cost Of Inaccuracy Becomes… The logistics of wasted foam: 180 extra gallons per minute 10,800 extra gallons per hour 108,000 extra gallons per 10 hours The cost of wasted foam: $3,600 per minute $216,000 per hour $2,160,000 per 10 hours

What Is The True Cost Of Your System? $ Initial Cost + $ Ongoing Operational Costs $ True Total Cost

For Your Consideration Different Initial and Ongoing Operational Costs Different performance capabilities and limitations Equipped to consider the total picture

Application Rates A measure of foam solution, applied per unit of time, per unit of total area Typically expressed as GPM/Sq Ft Or, LPM/Sq Meter Not to be confused with proportioning rate Expressed as % concentration

NFPA 11 Minimum Application Rates

Spill Fires – Loading Racks NFPA 11 – 2005 (5.6.5.3.1) Minimum Application Rates GPM/SF LPM/SM Hydrocarbons AFFF/FFFP/AR(ATC) 0.10 4.1 Protein / Fluoroprotein 0.16 6.5 Alcohol / Polar Solvents AR Concentrate (Typical) 0.10 – 0.16 4.1 – 6.5 Min Discharge Time 15 Min

Spill Fires – Diked Areas NFPA 11 – 2005 (5.7.3.2) Minimum Application Rates GPM/SF LPM/SM Hydrocarbons Low Level Discharges 0.10 4.1 Foam Monitors 0.16 6.5 Polar Solvents 0.10 – 0.16 4.1 – 6.5 Min Discharge Time 20-30 Min

Spill Fires – Diked Areas NFPA 11 – 2005 (5.7.3.2) Minimum Application Rates GPM/SF LPM/SM Hydrocarbons AFFF/FFFP/AR(ATC) 0.10 4.1 Protein / Fluoroprotein 0.16 6.5 Min Discharge Time 15 Min Alcohol / Polar Solvents AR Concentrates (Typical) 0.10 – 0.16 4.1 – 6.5 30 Min

Spill Fires – Non Diked Areas NFPA 11 – 2005 (5.8.2.2) Minimum Application Rates GPM/SF LPM/SM Hydrocarbons AFFF/FFFP/AR(ATC) 0.10 4.1 Protein / Fluoroprotein 0.16 6.5 Alcohol / Polar Solvents AR Concentrate (Typical) 0.10 – 0.16 4.1 – 6.5 Min Discharge Time 15 Min

Tank Fires – Fixed Roof (Full Surface) NFPA 11 – 2005 (5.2.5.2.2) Minimum Application Rates GPM/SF LPM/SM Hydrocarbons Type I & II Discharge Devices 0.10 4.1 Min Discharge Time – Type I 20-30 Min Min Discharge Time – Type II 30-55 Min Alcohol / Polar Solvents 0.10 – 0.16 4.1 – 6.5

Tank Fires – Full Surface (Type III) NFPA 11 – 2005 (5.2.4.2.2) Minimum Application Rates GPM/SF LPM/SM Hydrocarbons 0.16 6.5 Alcohol / Polar Solvents Refer To Listings Min Discharge Time Flash Point Above 100 F 50 Min Flash Point Below 100 F 65 Min Crude Petroleum

Tank Fires – Full Surface (Type III) Over 60 foot diameter - Recommended Minimum Application Rates GPM/SF LPM/SM Up To 150 Foot Diameter 0.16 6.5 151 to 200 Foot Diameter 0.18 7.3 201 to 250 Foot Diameter 0.20 8.1 251 to 300 Foot Diameter 0.22 8.9 Over 300 Foot Diameter 0.25 1.0

Tank Fires – Seal Area (Floating Type) NFPA 11 – 2005 (5.2.4.2.2) Minimum Application Rates GPM/SF LPM/SM Top Of Seal 0.30 12.2 Below Seal 0.50 20.4 Min Discharge Time 20 Min 10 Min

NFPA 11 Standards Are Minimums Design To Succeed Flow Rates At least times 2 or more (especially with Ethanol) Flow Durations Enough water and concentrate to flow at least 50% longer than the time specified Bigger Is Better One large nozzle generally is more effective than several smaller ones of equal combined flow

Example Pre-Plan (Spill Area) Water Requirements GPM/SF LPM/SM Application Rate 0.16 6.5 Times Total Area (200’x100’) 20,000 1,858 Equals Solution Flow Rate 3,200 12,077 Times Minimum Flow Time 15 Min Equals Min Water Req’t 48,000 181,155 Flow at 0.25 GPM/SF 5,000 19,000 Minimum Water Requirement 75,000 285,000

Example Pre-Plan (Spill Area) Water Requirements Pumping Distance 750’ 1,500’ Application Rate (GPM/SF) 0.25 Flow Rate (GPM) 5,000 Number Of Engines @ 1,500 GPM 4 8 Number Of 2.5” Supply Lines Required 20 Number Of 4” Supply Lines Required Number Of 6” Supply Lines Required Number Of 8” Supply Lines Required 2 Number Of 12” Supply Lines Required 1

Example Pre-Plan (Spill Area) Foam Requirements Required For Ethanol Fires Flow Rate (GPM) 5,000 Total Water (Gallons) 75,000 Proportioning Rate 1% 3% 6% Concentrate Rate (GPM) 50 150 300 Total Concentrate Required (Gallons) 750 2,250 4,500 5 Gallon Pails (Number Required) 450 900 55 Gallon Drums (Number Required) 14 41 82 300 Gallon Totes (Number Required) 3 8 15 6,000 Gallon Tanker (Number Required) 1

Example Pre-Plan (Spill Area) Foam Usage Rate Flow Rate (GPM) 5,000 Proportioning Rate 1% 3% 6% Concentrate Rate (GPM) 50 150 300 5 Gallon Pails (Usage Rate) 6 sec 2 sec 1 sec 55 Gallon Drums (Usage Rate) 66 sec 22 sec 11 sec 300 Gallon Totes (Usage Rate) 6 min 2 min 1 min 6,000 Gallon Tanker (Usage Rate) 2 hrs 40 min 20 min What Is Realistic

Portable Pumps For Water Supply

Foam Supply – 300 Gallon Totes Foam Pick-up Tubes Or Stingers

Foam Supply – 300 Gallon Totes Note: Portable Pumps

Foam Supply – 300 Gallon Totes Note: Pre Plumbed Foam Concentrate Discharge Manifold

Foam Supply - Tankers

Tips For Sizing Equipment Something is not always better than nothing The size of the hazard determines the requirements Size the system to the hazard and size the apparatus to the system Not the other way around! NFPA standards are MINIMUM requirements Design to succeed

Jet Ratio Controllers (JRC’s) In-line Super Eductors 60:40 Mix 60 parts water 40 parts concentrate 1-1/2” In / 2-1/2” Out

Jet Ratio Controller Layout Hot Tip! When setting up – lay water supply first, then foam supply. 2-1/2” 60:40 Water/Foam Mix Supply Line From JRC Foam Mix Injected Here 2 – 1,500 GPM 5” Water Supply Lines Note: To make 3,000 GPM foam solution with 3% or 6% concentrate you may need 2 JRC’s feeding this nozzle!

Jet Ratio Controllers (JRC’) Capabilities: Can be fairly accurate at a single point Inexpensive to purchase Limitations: Labor intensive to operate Narrow sweet spot

Balanced Pressure Pump Proportioners Foam Tank Concentrate Pump Metering Valve Check Valve Modified Venturi or Ratio Controller (one per discharge) Water Pilot-Operated Balance Valve or Check Valve

TO DISCHARGE PROPORTIONER Metering Valve ADJUSTING KNOB CONCENTRATE FLOW POINTER PLUG STEM TO DISCHARGE PROPORTIONER

Balanced Pressure Pump System Metering/Shut-Off Valve

Ratio Controller CONCENTRATE INLET LOW PRESSURE AREA SOLUTION FLOW RECOVERY AREA FLOW WATER FLOW BLENDING AREA

2” Modified Venturi Cut-Away Foam capabilities of 60 to 200 GPM Water flow and pressure restrictions

Balanced Pressure Pump System Parts Cut-Away Metering/Shut-off valve sets amount of foam concentrate entering the system by percentage selected Ratio Controller (venturi) creates a pressure drop allowing the foam concentrate to be pumped into the water way

Balanced Pressure Pump System Panel Controls Duplex Pressure Gauge

Balanced Pressure Pump System Plumbing Balanced Pressure Pump Compartment Modified venturi or ratio flow controller (one required per discharge)

Balanced Pressure Pump Proportioners Capabilities: Foam concentrate flow to 300 GPM Plumbed discharges capable of foam or water Ability to vary foam concentrate % rates by discharge Limitations: Water flow limits Discharge pressure restriction Installation Calibration – Time / Concentrate Medium sweet spot

Electronic Direct Injection Proportioner 3000 Series Foam Supply Line Strainer Water Tank Check Valves Flow Meter Multiple Discharges Water Pump

FoamPro AccuMax Multi Port Foam Injection Systems Choose foam solution or plain water Control % rate at each discharge

Flow Comparison Balance Pressure vs. Electronic Direct Injection No restriction permits maximum flow

New FoamPro AccuMax Models from 90 to 300 gpm Use Multiple Foam Sources Foam tank or outboard pickup Calibration And Testing Fast, easy, reuse the foam Use For Industrial Apparatus, ARFF Vehicles, Marine

Shell Oil Truck With AccuMax

View Of Pump House

Installation Of AccuMax Line Controllers

Pump Panel With AccuMax Controllers

Saudi Electric Company

Saudi Electric Company

Direct Injection Technology Does not recirculate concentrate No flow restrictions High accuracy Wide performance range Calibrate / test without consuming concentrate Easy to install Toward the high end of price range … initially - 0% / + 2% Standard Actual 6%: 6.0 – 7.0% 6.0 – 6.12% 3%: 3.0 - 3.9% 3.0 – 3.06% 1%: 1.0 – 1.3% 1.0 – 1.02% 0.5%: 0.5 – 0.70% 0.5 – 0.51% 0.2%: 0.2 – 0.28% 0.2 – 0.204% 6% 30% 20% 10% 3% 1% - + 40% Lean Rich

Foam Trailer – AccuMax 3300

Stingers and Totes

1 Master and 4 Line Controllers

2 – 6” and 2 – 3” Supply Lines

Feeding The Concentrate

Foam Trailer Operations

RTFC Training Facility

3000 GPM Nozzle

Some Final Comments It’s one thing to develop a plan on paper… it’s another thing to practice it on the fire ground. Know for sure… Safely supply foam solution (flow, distance, duration) Pumps Hose Nozzles Proportioners Concentrate Manpower

How To Fund Grant Money Mutual Aid Initiative Capital Lease Fire Act Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Mutual Aid Initiative Municipal Departments Ethanol Refineries Blending Terminals Capital Lease

Download this presentation at: Questions / Comments Bill Ballantyne bill.ballantyne@hypropumps.com 651-766-6308 Download this presentation at: www.foampro.com

And Finally, Remember To Always: Buckle Up! Use Foam! Be Safe! Thank You!