To calculate the needed foam concentrate for a flammable liquid release, you use a specific formula that incorporates several key factors.
The formula for calculating the needed foam concentrate at a flammable liquid release is:
Area X Critical Application Rate (CAR) X Eduction Rate (ER) X 15 = Foam Concentrate Needed
Understanding the Foam Concentrate Calculation
Based on the provided reference, calculating the amount of foam concentrate required for a fire, specifically involving flammable liquids, involves understanding the components of the calculation formula. This simple formula helps determine the volume of foam concentrate needed to effectively combat the fire.
Here are the components included in the formula:
- Area: This refers to the surface area of the flammable liquid spill or fire that needs to be covered by the foam. It is typically measured in square feet or square meters, depending on the unit system being used for the other components.
- Critical Application Rate (CAR): The CAR is the minimum rate at which foam solution must be applied per unit area to extinguish a specific type of fire effectively. This rate is determined by testing and varies depending on the type of fuel (e.g., gasoline, alcohol) and the type of foam concentrate being used. It is often expressed in gallons per minute per square foot (gpm/sq ft) or liters per minute per square meter (Lpm/sq m).
- Eduction Rate (ER): The Eduction Rate, sometimes referred to as the proportioning rate, is the percentage at which the foam concentrate is mixed with water to create the foam solution. Common eduction rates are 1%, 3%, or 6%. The formula uses the percentage as a decimal (e.g., 3% would be 0.03).
- 15: This factor appears in the formula provided by the reference. While the reference doesn't explicitly define what '15' represents (it could be a conversion factor for units, a safety margin, or related to application time), it is essential to include it as specified in the formula for calculating the needed concentrate.
By multiplying these factors together, you arrive at the estimated amount of foam concentrate required for the specific fire scenario involving a flammable liquid release.
