Experts in fire protection

For special risks

During a fire, foam extinguishing systems distribute large-scale foam blankets via foam monitors, sprinklers or nozzles. The foam is applied to the burning material, extinguishes the fire and serves as a deterrent against reignition. Foam extinguishing systems are suitable for protecting high-risk areas, e.g. due to flammable liquids or plastics. The adjustable low to extremely high foaming option offers an optimum extinguishing effect for every type of risk.

Flexible components for our foam extinguishing systems

With a versatile foaming agent range, Minimax offers safe and flexible application. Perfectly aligned components are supplied in line with the individual needs of clients and according to respective fire protection requirements.

  • Foam sprinklers and nozzles: Minimax specialises in stainless steel nozzles for low expansion foam extinguishing systems. As an exclusive manufacturer, Minimax supplies sprinklers for the production of low expansion foam. Sprinklers are generally used in storage areas. Nozzles are best suited for the protection of filling stations and filling tank vehicles or for protecting objects, as with hydraulic units or as indoor protection in drum stores.
  • Foam maker/foam chamber/foam pourer: These three coordinated components comprise the specially designed "TankFoam RTK" kit for protecting flammable liquids in fixed roof tanks. It is used to generate low expansion foam, for which all common foaming agent concentrates can be used.
  • Foam monitor: The foam monitor is for external use, to fight fires from a safe distance and to preventatively cool objects at risk of catching fire. Depending on the version the monitor can be aligned with the target manually, electrically or hydraulically by remote control.
  • High expansion foam generator: Generators produce high expansion foam, which is used to protect storage areas. Foam floods the entire room and deprives the fire of oxygen by displacing air somewhat like a carbon dioxide extinguishing systems.
  • DirectAlarm foam: These components make alarm testing easy. Weekly tests are carried out with water from the pump distributor before the proportioner. A foam/water mix does not have to be discharged and disposed of.
  • Foaming agent concentrate: The foaming agent range includes a large number of protein and synthetic foaming agents. Foaming agents are available for all solid, liquid and alcohol/ solvent fires.


Fire fighting with foam

Design

To generate foam, a proportionally constant quantity of foaming agent is added to the water flow using a mixing device. The water/foaming agent mix created is frothed up with air in downstream foam generators and then applied on the burning object using the dispersion method best suited to the risk type.

1
Fire de­tec­tion and ex­tin­guish­ing con­trol panel
2
Deluge valve
3
Foam concentrate bladder tank
4
Proportioner
5
Foam concentrate control valve
The typical structure of foam extinguishing systems
  1. Fire de­tec­tion and ex­tin­guish­ing con­trol panel
  2. Deluge valve
  3. Foam concentrate bladder tank
  4. Proportioner
  5. Foam concentrate control valve

Applications for foam extinguishing systems

Storage facilities, incineration plants, refineries or plastics/tyre depots have one thing in common: they pose a special risk. When flammable liquids or plastics catch fire, the fire spreads very quickly and toxic combustion gases are emitted. This results in damages that cost millions as well as environmental pollution.

Foam extinguishing systems are the most effective fire protection for this risk area, particularly in the fire categories A and B. In case of fire, foam maker, foam monitors, sprinklers or nozzles are used, depending on the area of application, in order to disperse the foam over large areas. This ensures that the fire can be fought quickly, safely and in an environmentally friendly manner.

Oil tank
Oil tank

Protection zone

In gas and steam-generating stations in which dual-fuel turbines are used that can be fired with both gas and oil, fuel or heating oil is stored in large tanks.

Risks

  • Lightning strike
  • Formation of sparks via static charging
  • Ignition of the gases in the oil tank

Fire Protection

Optimum fire protection is offered here by foam extinguishing systems with the MX Tankfoam RTK system kit. The system generates low expansion foam, which is given out from above, in the event of a fire, on to the burning surface of the liquid. The foam has an immediate cooling effect, smothers the flames preventing further outbreak of fire and protects the now extinguished area from reignition. With a deluge system the tank side wall and if necessary its roof are cooled in parallel.

Storage of hazardous substances
Storage of hazardous substances

Protection zone

Hazardous substances are materials or mixtures that are explosive, combustible or harmful to human health or the environment. Warehouses where such substances are stored have a great variety of typical designs, subject, however, to specific laws and regulations applicable to their construction. Such provisions require e.g., fall-safe storage, soil protection in the form of collecting reservoirs and extinguishing water retention systems as well as the prevention of operational sources of ignition.

Risks

  • Rapid spread of fire
  • Devastating effects of fire on people and the environment

Fire Protection

As a rule, the planned fire protection system for hazardous substance storage is determined in particular by the characteristics of the stored goods. Accordingly, nearly the full range of fire extinguishing systems is used in such facilities. For this type of storage, Oxeo inert gas extinguishing systems are often the preferred solution: they extinguish fires quickly without leaving residue, and reactions between the burnt materials and extinguishing agents are precluded. Alternatives are Oxeo EcoPrevent systems or CO₂ or foam extinguishing systems. A fire detection system triggers the extinguishing systems. UniVario flame and heat detectors are used for detection purposes.

Tire depot
Tire depot

Protection zone

Tires are generally stored in bulk storage on specially designed transport pallets. Those depots are directly connected with production plants through transport facilities.

Risks

  • Defective storage equipment or small appliances
  • High fire load due to high density of many tires in a confined space.

Fire Protection

In view of the limited ability to wet the tires and the risk of a very fast development and spreading of the fire, this fire risk is best addressed with a deluge system with a film-forming foaming additive or, alternatively, a foam extinguishing system. In this regard, Minimax offers a variety of protection concepts tailored to the individual storage conditions in place, e.g. using open large-drop sprinklers. The extinguishing system is triggered by a fire detection system using UniVario flame and heat detectors.

Waste disposal
Waste disposal

Protection zone

Large quantities of different types of packaging waste are often collected in separate recycling and waste collection areas. Cardboard and trash compactors reduce the storage volume. In addition, waste is also stored in containers in outside areas.

Risks

  • Auto-ignition in case of insufficient ventilation
  • Large quantities of highly flammable organic material
  • Arson in outdoor areas
  • Carelessly discarded cigarette butts

Fire Protection

The sprinkler systems used for the protection of buildings effectively combat fires also in the case of burning organic waste and packaging materials. Outdoor areas can be included in the protection range, in which case a dry system or, alternatively, Minimax PipeGuard Antifreeze prevents freezing of the extinguishing water and protects against possible frost damage. If large quantities are stored, a deluge system with open nozzles should rather be selected. This system is triggered by a fire detection system with UniVario industrial smoke detectors.

Downloads

Extinguishing foam concentrate
Brochures (671 kb)
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Foam extinguishing systems
Brochures (1 mb)
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TankFoam RTK
Brochures (433 kb)
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