Selecting the right foam for oil refineries
Published: 01 July, 2005
Firefighting foams are widely used to control and extinguish fires involving Class B flammable liquids. There are many claims made that specific products are the best. A bewildering choice of foam types, grades, manufacturers and brands available, so how do you know which one is right for your particular application? asks Mike Willson.
Start with the hazards you are trying to protect. The main hazard is normally defined as the type of liquid fuel that represents the fire risk on site and the way it is stored, its relative depth and the likely scenario of an incident. Most oil refineries store standard hydrocarbon fuels, but some also use significant quantities of the more difficult polar solvent chemicals.
The most cost-effective foam for deep-seated hydrocarbon fires is a high quality modern FP (FluroProtein) foam like Tankmaster(tm), the acknowledged world leader for bulk storage tanks. Its name confirms it as the single most efficient and cost effective answer to hydrocarbon tank protection. Tankmaster foam (formerly known as FP70 Plus) has a proven track record in a recent tank fire in the Middle East through large capacity monitors and can also be applied through a wide range of application methods. This includes top pourers and rimseal protection; aspirated and semi-aspirated monitor applications; foam-water sprinklers; and the most forceful of all techniques base (sub-surface) injection where foam is aggressively mixed with the fuel at the base of the tank. Foam passes through the depth of fuel in the tank to still achieve a good control and extinction result with excellent post-fire security to minimise the risk of re-ignition.
The recent LASTFIRE test was developed by 16 of the world’s leading oil companies specifically to simulate the very tough conditions in a bulk storage tank fire. It has shown that Tankmaster is the most cost-effective response for bulk storage tank hazards and has special capabilities for MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether) and MTBE/Gasoline blends of unleaded fuels as well as a wide range of hydrocarbons. Those with ordinary FP foams would do well to consider upgrading. This high performance FP has proven to be superior for tank applications to many of the much more expensive AR -AFFF type foams on LASTFIRE, which is recognised by all leading Oil Companies as a good reflection of how the foam will work in an emergency incident.
Good LASTFIRE test results help guide you towards the most suitable products. Remember your own and your colleagues safety may be riding on your particular foam choice. MIKE WILLSON
