Improved Visibility in the Hazard
In comparison to water-based systems, CAF’s unique physical properties
significantly reduce steam production and thereby improve visibility during and after a fire. The CAF blankets the fuel surface and therefore does not cause visual impairment often associated to high-expansion, total flooding foam systems.
Industry Recognition, Worldwide Acceptance
The ICAF SYSTEM is a deluge-type system that uses a balanced piping network and can be activated by electric, pneumatic or manual release. The system can be configured with multiple mixing chambers and can have multiple zones.
- Significant reduction in foam and water requirements
- Reduced infrastructure requirements for fire protection
- Enhanced system performance
- Improved visibility in the hazard
- Engineered system
The ICAF Cabinet
The ICAF cabinets include all hydraulic and electrical devices required for proper operation. The ICAF System cabinets are of the freestanding type and are made of robust 14 gauge steel with a corrosion resistant fire red paint finish, polyester powder-coated and oven-baked on a phosphate base.
Cabinets are also provided with two locked frontal doors that are removable without special tools, reducing space requirements for ease of installation and maintenance. Furthermore, all doors are provided with a neoprene gasket to reduce vibrations.
Technical details:
- FM Approved as a factory assembled unit.
- Modular releases (manual, fail-safe, electric & pneumatic).
- Compact layout saves floor space.
- Up to three (3) mixing chambers per cabinet.
- Integrated ARC-1 analog release controller.
- Fully tested and programmed at the factory.
- Unique serial number on every unit.
- User-friendly owner's manual with every unit.
- Simplified operation and maintenance.
- Factory built under ISO-9001 conditions.
Enhanced System Performance
Full-scale fire tests have demonstrated that ICAF is a very effective extinguishing mechanism for class B fires. The unique physical properties of ICAF foam with a 10:1 expansion ratio combined with long drain times provide improved extinguishing and burnback performance. Furthermore, its ability to stick to vertical surfaces enabled the ICAF to be Listed for cascading fires. System performance can be a deciding factor in critical applications where it is desirable that system performance exceeds the minimum requirements set out in published codes or standards.
Foam Concentrate
The foam concentrate is stored in a stainless steel pressure vessel. The foam concentrate tank and water supply tank, if applicable, are pressurized with compressed air upon system actuation.
Water, compressed air and foam concentrate are then injected into the mixing chamber(s) mounted in the cabinet. CAF is generated in the mixing chamber and then flows through the system’s piping network towards the distribution nozzles
Special Discharge Devices
CAF is discharged in or on the hazard using special discharge devices which effectively distribute the foam evenly over the nozzle’s area of coverage. In addition to coverage, the TAR and FPO nozzles are specifically designed to maintain CAF quality preventing degradation of the CAF generated in the mixing chamber.
DEVICES CEILING NOZZLE CONFIGURATION
The TAR-225C is an open-type ceiling nozzle used for area protection of flammable or combustible liquids spill or pool fire hazards and is specifically designed to effectively distribute CAF over a remote area. Located at the ceiling level the ICAF Nozzle is designed to discharge CAF in a 360° radius over a maximum area of 150 ft2 (13.9 m2) when used on hydrocarbon liquids and 100 ft2 (9.29 m2) when used on polar solvents.
SPECIFIC HAZARD CONFIGURATION
The TAR-225L (not shown in table) is an open-type directional nozzle which is specifically designed to discharge CAF over exposed horizontal or vertical surfaces of specific equipment, and is effective on cascading fires. The TAR 225L nozzle spacing shall be based on the spray pattern design principle. Nozzles shall be spaced and aimed so that their spray patterns will cover all surfaces adequately.
FOAM-POWERED OSCILLATOR
The FPO is an open-type oscillating nozzle that is specifically designed to project CAF horizontally over a wide area. It is an effective discharge device for low-level protection.
The CAF can be delivered via a 90° or 180° arc of oscillation with discharge range up to 92 ft. The FPO nozzle is self-propelled by the CAF discharge and does not require any electrical or hydraulic connection, considerably simplifying installation.
