Twin agent fire extinguishing system
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A Twin Agent Fire Extinguishing System (TAFES) incorporates the benefits of dry chemical and foam (AFFF or CAFS). Most commonly used for AR-FF operations and in industrial areas with high class B hazards.
The dry chemical usually Purple-K (and in some applications ABC Dry Chemical) knocks down the fire rapidly, while the foam secures the hazard by laying a vapor-suppressing blanket on the fuel and helping to cool the fuel in skin fires. In pressurized gas fires the foam is applied to extinguish the fuel fires around the blowout and cool heated metal. The Purple-K stream is then dischared into the blowout to "snuff" it out.
Mounted on vehicles, skid mounts or permanent stations. Application is from twin hose lines connected together at the nozzle, one flows the dry chemical agent and the other foam. Also used in fixed nozzles off vehicles(i.e. AR-FF vehicles) or ground mounted monitors in high hazard locations in facilities storing or producing flammable liquids. See Airport crash tender
Dry chemical tank capacities range from 450 to 3000 pound units). AFFF solution capacity ranges from 50 to 250 gallons. Dry chemical flow rates vary from 5 to 8 lbs. per second and 35 to 60 GPM for the foam for handline application.
[edit] References
- James H. Meidl: "Flammable Hazardous Materials", Glencoe Press Fire Science Series, 1970.
