2 Definitions
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - International Codes - FSS Code - Fire Safety Systems – Resolution MSC.98(73) - Annex - International Code For Fire Safety Systems - Chapter 6 - Fixed Foam Fire-Extinguishing Systems - 2 Definitions

2 Definitions

  2.1 Design filling rate is at least the minimum nominal filling rate used during the approval tests.

  2.2 Foam is the extinguishing medium produced when foam solution passes through a foam generator and is mixed with air.

  2.3 Foam solution is a solution of foam concentrate and water.

  2.4 Foam concentrate is a liquid which, when mixed with water in the appropriate concentration forms a foam solution.

  2.5 Foam delivery ducts are supply ducts for introducing high-expansion foam into the protected space from foam generators located outside the protected space.

  2.6 Foam mixing ratio is the percentage of foam concentrate mixed with water forming the foam solution.

  2.7 Foam generators are discharge devices or assemblies through which high-expansion foam solution is aerated to form foam that is discharged into the protected space. Foam generators using inside air typically consist of a nozzle or set of nozzles and a casing. The casing is typically made of perforated steel/stainless steel plates shaped into a box that enclose the nozzle(s). Foam generators using outside air typically consist of nozzles enclosed within a casing that spray onto a screen. An electric, hydraulic or pneumatically driven fan is provided to aerate the solution.

  2.8 High-expansion foam fire-extinguishing systems are fixed total flooding extinguishing systems that use either inside air or outside air for aeration of the foam solution. A high-expansion foam system consists of both the foam generators and the dedicated foam concentrate approved during the fire testing specified in 3.1.3.

  2.9 Inside air foam system is a fixed high-expansion foam fire-extinguishing system with foam generators located inside the protected space and drawing air from that space.

  2.10 Nominal flow rate is the foam solution flow rate expressed in l/min.

  2.11 Nominal application rate  is the nominal flow rate per area expressed in l/min/m2.

  2.12 Nominal foam expansion ratio is the ratio of the volume of foam to the volume of foam solution from which it was made, under non-fire conditions, and at an ambient temperature of e.g. around 20ºC.

  2.13 Nominal foam production is the volume of foam produced per time unit, i.e. nominal flow rate times nominal foam expansion ratio, expressed in m3/min.

  2.14 Nominal filling rate is the ratio of nominal foam production to the area, i.e. expressed in m/min.

  2.15 Nominal filling time is the ratio of the height of the protected space to the nominal filling rate, i.e. expressed in minutes.

  2.16 Outside air foam system is a fixed high-expansion foam system with foam generators installed outside the protected space that are directly supplied with fresh air.


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