- Author
- Persson, H.
- Title
- Dimensionering, utrustning och val av taktik ar avgorande vid slackning av cistern-och invallningsbrander. [Design, Equipment and Tactics Are Critical When Fighting Large Tank and Bund Fires.]
- Coporate
- Swedish National Testing and Research Institute, Boras, Sweden
- Report
- SP Report 1992:02, 1992, 44 p.
- Keywords
- tank fires | application rate | foam extinguishing systems | water supply
- Abstract
- This report summarizes experience and expertise recommendations on tackling large tank fires. The problem using mobile equipment have preferably been considered as NFPA 11 is judged by the expertise to be satisfactory for the fixed foam application systems. The following general conclusions have been achieved. In order to reach a successful extinguishment using mobile equipment there are four factors which have to be considered very carefully, water capacity, equipment, logistics and tactics. Adequate water supply in terms of both capacity and pressure is the most important factor and application rates between 6,5 and 10,4 1/m-2min are recommended along with high quality foam concentrates. The foam supply shall be enough for at least one hour of uninterrupted application. Large scale equipment is necessary both in terms of e g throw length of foam monitors and the question of logistics of the entire operation. The most efficient way to extinguish a large tank fire is to direct all foam streams to one landing zone. This will result in a very high local application rate which will give the foam the possibility to establish a "bridge head" which is the first sign of a succesful result. Based on the recommendations achieved, a proposal for a Swedish mutual aid organisation for handling large tank fires is proposed.