Design and installation guide
Synthetic foam: selecting concentrate and expansion arrangements together
Synthetic concentrates are a broad group formulated with surfactants. Some serve low-, medium- or high-expansion applications; others target particular fuels or materials. The designation does not identify one identical agent or HI-EX performance across all models.
Expansion results from concentrate, water, air and generator working together. Özkartay treats surface protection and enclosure foam applications as separate design tasks. Fluorinated ingredients, alcohol resistance and water compatibility follow product documentation.
01
How does the foam form and provide protection?
Concentrate chemistry, proportioning with water and application method together determine foam behaviour.
Synthetic surfactants
Surfactants support bubble formation with water and air. Drainage, stability and fuel behaviour depend on the model. The product designation alone does not establish hydrocarbon or polar-solvent performance.
Medium and high expansion
A suitable generator creates a large foam volume from solution. HI-EX high expansion is generally above 200:1. Actual expansion is verified for generator, air source and concentrate, rather than a universal 1000:1 setting.
Surface or enclosure protection
Low or medium expansion may support surface blankets; high expansion uses suitable enclosure filling arrangements. Reaching obstructions, evacuation and equipment effects are assessed through design. One product is not automatically suitable for all uses.
02
Selection, hardware and product condition
Combustible material, product documentation and installed hardware are assessed together for appropriate selection.
Fuel and concentration
- Material and fuel scope
- Solid combustibles, hydrocarbons, specialist chemicals or LNG require specific application evidence. Polar-solvent suitability is separately documented. LNG applications need specialist vapour and heat-management design rather than a generic extinguishment claim.
- Concentration and expansion are distinct
- Concentration is the product dosage; expansion is finished-foam volume relative to solution. Instructions for low, medium and high expansion are read separately. Concentrate demand and enclosure fill time follow the required scenario.
Proportioning and discharge equipment
- Generator and air source
- Electric, water-turbine or other drives depend on equipment choice. Smoke, temperature and contamination at air inlets are assessed against system evidence. Generator positioning and access form part of the design.
- Water and distribution
- Flow, residual pressure, proportioning and piping are sized together. Fresh- or seawater suitability follows the model. Enclosure applications assess doors, openings, air release and foam losses.
Storage, documentation and environment
- Preserving concentrate condition
- Storage temperature and tank materials follow manufacturer instructions. Evaporation, dilution and contamination are controlled, with batch identification and sample checks recorded. Different concentrates are not mixed without documented compatibility.
- Synthetic and fluorine-free distinction
- A synthetic formulation alone does not establish NFF status or an environmental test result. PFAS, biodegradability and handling information follow product data and SDS. Discharged foam and contaminated water require site management.
03
Applications and selection approach
The actual fuel, site conditions and validated scope of the selected model govern the following applications.
Warehouses and large enclosures
- Application need
- Enclosure filling and obstructions require assessment.
- Selection approach
- Suitable HI-EX concentrate/generator arrangements are designed with evacuation and losses.
Medium-expansion area protection
- Application need
- The objective is coverage of a defined area or surface.
- Selection approach
- Fuel, expansion, nozzles and application density are matched.
Specialist industrial applications
- Application need
- Marine or LNG applications have their own hazards.
- Selection approach
- Application-specific performance and system evidence govern selection.
04
Checks considered together for this product
Scroll the table horizontally to view every column.
| Item | Product approach | Verification |
|---|---|---|
| Family | Broad synthetic formulation group. | Selected model purpose. |
| Expansion | Results from hardware and solution. | Low / medium / HI-EX scope. |
| Fuel | Varies by model. | Actual material and tested use. |
| Environment | NFF formulation is separately checked. | Product data and SDS. |
A family description does not certify identical performance across manufacturers. Model values and approved application conditions are matched to current product data and the relevant documentation.
Share the combustible material, water supply and existing equipment so we can assess a suitable concentrate and application arrangement together.