FOAM CHAMBER MODEL - FC

TECHNICAL DATA :
MODEL FC

SIZE 50, 65, 80, 100 &150 NB

inlet

WORKING PRESSURE Minimum 2.8 Kg. / sq. cm.

(40 PSI)
Maximum 7 Kg. / sq.cm. (100
PSI)

FLANGE CONNECTION ANSI B16.5 Class 150#

APPROXIMATE FC 50- 28.0 Kg.

WEIGHT FC 65- 35.0 Kg.
FC 80- 52.0 Kg.
FC 100- 78.0 Kg.
FC 150-108.0 Kg. SPECIFICATION
Foam chamber is an air aspirating foam discharge device,
VAPOUR SEAL 0.7 to 1.75 Kg./sq.cm.(10 PSI
covering wide range of flow from 75 to 3600 litres per minute
TO 25 PSI)
at 2.8 to 7 kg/sq.cm inlet pressure. The foam chamber
contains a vapour seal to prevent the entry of vapour into the
RUPTURE PRESSURE Running water/Water foam
foam chamber and the foam solution pipe. Each foam
solution pressure at the
chamber is supplied with an orifice plate, designed for the
inlet of Foam Chamber.
required flow and inlet pressure. The orifice is field
replaceable in the event of change in design parameters.
MAXIMUM 0.06 Kg./sq.cm. (0.9 PSI)
The foam is produced by introducing air into the foam
PERMISSIBLE BACK
solution stream. The inlet of foam chamber is designed to
PRESSURE ON create venturi jet which draws air into the foam solution
VAPOUR SEAL stream. The air is drawn into the foam solution through the
holes located on the foam chamber covered with stainless
FINISH Red epoxy painted steel screen to exclude nesting birds and insects. The
aerated foam is directed into the deflector for the gentle
ORDERING a) Model and size application of the expanded foam. The deflectors are
INFORMATION b) Inlet pressure. available in different models.
c) Foam solution flow reqd.
d) Inlet, outlet flange On removal of cover plate from the top of the chamber allows
specification. the system to be tested and to draw a sample of the
e) Type of foam concentrate expanded foam, without removing the vapour seal or
used. disconnecting the foam chamber from the tank. Frangible
APPLICATION glass bursting disc (vapour seal) can be replaced very easily.
Foam Chamber is used in one of the most common
application to protect vertical fixed roof (cone) liquid storage
SYSTEM DESIGN REQUIREMENT
tanks, with or without internal floating roof with the low The NFPA-11, a standard for low expansion foam, provides
expansion foam system. The application of foam is on the the essential requirement of an appropriate designed foam
basis that the risk comprises the total surface area of the pouring system, which are identified and outlined as below:
fuel. The foam system design guidelines generally used
The Foam Deflector is used with the Foam Chamber.
are in accordance with NFPA-11, standard.
The aerated foam from the Foam Chamber is directed in to
Foam Chambers are defined by NFPA-11 as Type II discharge the deflector for the gentle application of the expanded foam.
outlets for delivering the foam to the surface of a flammable The deflector reduces the expanded foam velocity and al-
liquid. The Foam Chambers are widely used with the In-line lows the foam to slide down the tank wall.
foam inductor, Balance pressure foam proportioning system,
Bladder tank proportioner or Foam tender.

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a) Number of Foam Chamber
The number of foam chambers required is determined by
the tank diameter. Where two or more foam chambers are
required, they shall be spaced equally around the tank
periphery and each Foam Chamber shall be sized to deliver Selection Of KV Foam Chamber
foam at an approximately same rate. Please refer graph to SIZE OF FOAM K-FACTOR
select the unit that will provide the required minimum foam CHAMBER
solution application rate at the available operating pressure
50 NB 43.4 to 127
of the Foam Chamber. For minimum number of Foam
Chamber requirement, kindly follow the recommendations 65 NB 115.4 to 254
as per NFPA/OISD/TAC or as per the governmental codes 80 NB 230.9 to 508
or ordinances wherever applicable. 100 NB 461.8 to 1016
b) Minimum Foam Solution Application Rate 150 NB 923.6 to1524.2
The minimum foam solution application rate is the rate at
which the water and foam concentrate in correctly
proportioned ratio should be delivered to the surface of a To select the size of the Foam Chamber use the following
storage tank under protection to control and extinguish the formula
fire. For minimum application rate requirement follow the Q=K P
recommendations as per NFPA/OISD/TAC or governmental Q = Total solution flow in litres per minute.
codes or ordinances wherever applicable. K = Constant for Foam Chamber
P = Inlet pressure in kg/sq.cm.
Testing And Maintenance
Qualified and trained person must commission the system. Example
After few initial successful tesst an authorized person must To find K-Factor
be trained to perform inspection and testing of the system. Q = 300 LPM
It is recommended to carry out physical inspection of the P = 3.5 Kg/sq.cm.
system regularly. The system must be fully tested at least K = 300 ÷ 3.5 = 160.35
once in a year or in accordance with applicable NFPA/OISD/
TAC standards or in accordance with standards of the This K-Factor falls within the range of the Foam Chamber
organization having local jurisdiction. having 65 NB size. Hense 65 NB size of Foam Chamber
should be selected.
Do not turn off the system or any valve to make repair or test The Foam Chamber size may also be selected with the
the system, without placing a roving Fire Patrol in the area help of the graph.
covered by the system. The Patrol should continue until the
system is put back in service. Also inform the local security Calculation example
guard and control alarm station, so as to avoid false alarm. Tank type : Fixed roof storage tank
Tank diameter : 40 meters.
Each system is to be flushed properly. The vapour seal must Foam concentrate to be used : AFFF 3%
be replaced if the system has been operated. Normal testing Pressure at inlet of Foam Chamber : 3.5 kg/sq.cm.
of the chamber can be carried out by removing the cover Flash point of liquid stored in tank : - 27°C.
plate from the top of the chamber. This allows the system
Surface area = d2 ÷ 4 = ( 3.14 X 402.) ÷ 4
to draw a sample of the expanded foam without removing
the vapour seal or disconnecting the Foam Chamber from = 1256 Sq. mts.
the tank. a) Foam solution application rate
= *4.1 LPM /Sq. mts. X Surface area
The air screen is to be inspected periodically for the = 4.1 X 1256
obstruction of air inlet holes. If any obstruction is noticed, = 5150 LPM
remove the same and flush if necessary. *4.1 LPM is as per NFPA-11 ( 5 LPM as per OISD
recommendations ) or it should be as per prevailing
It is recommended to have regular maintenance programme rules of local authority having jurisdiction.
to inspect the Vapour Seal Chamber discharge area and
deflector for possible deposit or obstruction. b) Number of Foam Chamber required for 40 metres
diameter tank = 3 nos. minimum (Reference
NOTE NFPA-11)
A PROVISION IS TO BE MADE FOR PRESSURE GAUGE
MOUNTING AT INLET OF FOAM CHAMBER, WHICH CAN Capacity of Foam Chamber required
BE PLUGGED AFTER SUCCESSFUL COMMISSIONING = 5150 ÷ 3
OF THE SYSTEM. THIS WILL HELP TO ANALYSE THE SYS- = 1717 LPM
TEM WHILE COMMISSIONING.
The K-Factor for flow of 1718 LPM at 3.5 kg./sq.cm.
K = Q ÷ P = 1717 ÷ 3.5
= 918.30

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The K-Factor (918.30) falls within the K-Factor of 100 NB
size of the Foam Chamber. Hence three numbers of 100
NB Foam Chamber with 1717 LPM capacity at 3.5 kg./sq.cm
inlet pressure are to be selected.

Note
THE ABOVE ARE THEORETICAL CALCULATIONS. IT IS,
THEREFORE, RECOMENDED THAT SYSTEM DESIGNER
CONSIDERS AN APPROPRIATE FACTOR OF SAFETY

c) Foam Concentrate Requirement :

The fuel stored has flash point of 27°C. So the minimum
system running duration recommended is 55 minutes.
(Reference NFPA-11)
The foam foam solution percentage system
concentrate = application X of foam X running
required rate in LPM concentrate time

3
= 5154 X X 55
100
= 8505 litres.
Add 5% = 8930 litres.

The supplementary hose stream requirement is also to be

considered and 100% reserve stock to be maintained or as
per local authority having jurisdiction.

The additional quantity of 5% is general guideline, however

system designer has to work-out this percentage
considering factor of safety, pipeline, minimum level for
induction in storage tanks etc.

Note
1. It is recommended to select next higher size of Foam
Chamber when the K-Factor is very much close to upper
limit of the model.
2. For the best performance the inlet pressure at the Foam
Chamber should be 2.8 kg/sq.cm. or higher.

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 FOAM CHAMBER

DIMENSION in millimetre ( Approximate ) PART LIST

INLET OUTLET ITEM DESCRIPTION MATERIAL
A B C
( F1 ) (F2) SPECIFICATION
NO.
50 NB 80 NB 630 518 160 1 ORIFICE PLATE S.S. 304
2 INLET FLANGE STEEL ASTM A105
65 NB 100 NB 720 589 175
3 AERATING PIPE STEEL PIPE
80 NB 150 NB 1050 895 225 4 FOAM MAKING CHAMBER STEEL PIPE
5 FOAM CHAMBER STEEL PIPE
100 NB 200 NB 1175 986 275
6 CHAMBER FLANGE STEEL
150 NB 250 NB 1250 1020 325 7 GASKET NEOPRENE
8 INSPECTION HATCH STEEL
9 BOLT STEEL
- Dimension of inlet / outlet flanges ( F1 / F2 ) are as
per ANSI B16.5 10 VAPOUR SEAL RING & SEAT STEEL
11 VAPOUR SEAL GLASS
- Pipes used are ERW (Seamless Pipes are optional on 12 WING NUT & STUD S.S. 304
request)
13 DISCHARGE PIPE STEEL PIPE
14 OUTLET FLANGE STEEL ASTM A105
15 AIR STRAINER S.S. 304
16 CHAMBER PLATE STEEL

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 PRESSURE VS FLOW PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTIC

400 2600

FOAM SOLUTION FLOW (LPM)

2400
FOAM SOLUTION FLOW (LPM)

2200
300
2000

1800

200 1600

1400

1200
100
1000

800

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
INLET PRESSURE (KG./SQ.CM.) INLET PRESSURE (KG./SQ.CM.)

SIZE 50NB SIZE 100NB

FOAM SOLUTION FLOW (LPM) 4000

3700
800
3400
FOAM SOLUTION FLOW (LPM)

3100
600

2800

2500
400

2200

200 1900

1600

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
INLET PRESSURE ((KG/CM
KG/SQCM)) INLET PRESSURE (KG./SQ.CM)

SIZE 65NB SIZE 150NB

1400

1200
FOAM SOLUTION FLOW (LPM)

1000

800

600

400

2 3 4 5 6 7 8
INLET PRESSURE (KG./SQ.CM)

SIZE 80NB

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 TYPICAL FOAM CHAMBER INSTALLATION WITH DEFLECTOR

Note : Above dimension are general guideline only. The

system designer can adopt the dimensions as per NFPA/
TAC/OISD or as per the governing rules & ordinances having
local jurisdiction.

LIMITED WARRANTY
Products manufactured by K.V. FIRE CHEMICALS (I) PVT.LTD.. are warranted against defects in material and workmanship for a period of Two (2) years from the date of shipment.
KV's obligation under this warranty is limited to replace or repair the products or its parts, which are shown to KV's examination to be in a defective condition attributable to KV. No warranty is given for products
or components which have been subject, to misuse, improper installation, corrosion, wear and tear, improper storage, modification or repaired. If the defect attributable to KV cannot be rectified by repair
or replacement, then KV may elect to refund the purchase price of the equipment in complete discharge of its obligation under this Limited Warranty.
IN NO EVENT SHALL K.V. FIRE CHEMICALS (I) PVT. LTD. BE LIABLE IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY, FOR INCIDENTAL, IN-DIRECT, SPECIAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING DAMAGES. FOR INJURY TO PERSON OR DEATH OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY AND OR PENALTIES RESULTING FROM ANY PRODUCTS
OR COMPONENT MANUFACTURED OR ASSEMBLED BY KV. THIS IS LIMITED WARRANTY ONLY. KV DISCLAIMS WITH RESPECT TO THE PRODUCTS ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THERE IS NO WARRANTY OF ANY NATURE MADE BY KV BEYOND AS STATED ABOVE.

NOTICE :
The equipment presented in this bulletin is to be installed in accordance with the latest publication standards of NFPA or other similar organisations and also with the provision of government codes
or ordinances wherever applicable.
The information provided by us are to the best of our knowledge and belief, and are general guidelines only. Site handling and installation control is beyond our reach. Hence we give no guarantee for result
and take no liability for damages, loss or penalties whatsoever, resulting from our suggestion, information, recommendation or damages due to our product.
Product development is a continuous programme of K.V. FIRE CHEMICALS (I) PVT. LTD. and hence the right to modify any specification without prior notice is reserved with the company.

KAMALA NIWAS, PLOT NO. 32, LANE D, SECTOR 8, VASHI, NAVI MUMBAI 400703 INDIA.
PHONE : +(91) 22 2782 0827
FAX : +(91) 22 2782 4712
EMAIL : [email protected] WEBSITE : www.kvfire.com

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