Chris, Good call on the test solution! I just learned about them a couple of months ago. We budgeted their product for one that we are doing now. Never used it before but it looks like a real nice alternative and like you said even more so for Craig's application. Thanks for thinking about that.
Rod at Rapid -----Original Message----- From: Sprinklerforum [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Chris Born Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2015 4:50 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Foam system testing I've handled this three ways in the past for AFFF systems. Well actually four if you go back to the really old days and just let it blow away, First, on just about all Navy work the design includes some arrangement of below ground containment and a diverter valve as Rod described. When the system discharges the diverter valve operates and the foam solution flows through the trench drains into the containment. Second, I've seen tanker trucks used with hoses and hose monsters from a test header in the hangar bay. You first would flow just water to get the flow rate equivalent to what the foam solution flow rate would be, and then you turn on the foam. Finally, I know of at least one company that has a test solution that has been considered to be environmentally friendly. Equipment is placed in parallel with the foam tank and the test solution is proportioned in place of foam concentrate. They have information that substantiates no environmental impact, but because you are still discharging something the appropriate authorities still need to approve it without containment. So far I'm not aware of any projects where there approval wasn't granted. Even with the containment as described above I'm an advocate of using the test solution to avoid having to pump the containment and dispose of the waste. Given that you have a process structure for which cleaning after an event is probably some level of effort (as opposed to a hangar where there is a well defined floor area and you don't have to deal with racks, other structures, etc,) my recommendation would be a combination of the test solution and a test header. There would be a valve to the system downstream of the test header which would be closed. I'm not sure it's appropriate for me to "advertise" the company with the test solution but if you contact me off list I will provide that information. Sincerely, Sent from my iPad Christopher H. Born, P.E. Director, Fire Protection Engineering|Principal Clark Nexsen 4525 Main Street, Suite 1400 Virginia Beach, VA 23462 (757) 455-5800 (757) 961-7933 (direct) (757) 644-8581(mobile) > On Mar 11, 2015, at 2:35 PM, <[email protected]> wrote: > > The systems are NFPA 16 foam-water deluge protecting an open process > structure. > > A question was raised with regard to the environmental permit and various > system discharges to the storm sewer system. The term used was "fire testing > water". > > > > Craig L. Prahl > Fire Protection Group Lead > CH2MHILL > Lockwood Greene > 1500 International Drive > Spartanburg, SC 29303 > Direct - 864.599.4102 > Fax - 864.599.8439 > CH2MHILL Extension 74102 > [email protected] > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Sprinklerforum > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of > Rod DiBona > Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2015 2:04 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: RE: Foam system testing > > Craig, > > Not really. We usually have a diverter valve that sends the discharge to a > tank that we have sucked out. I imagine you are well aware of that system and > it sounds like they don't have this setup. Is this Hi ex foam from > generators, AFFF with cannons or grate nozzles? > > Rod at Rapid > > -----Original Message----- > From: Sprinklerforum > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of > [email protected] > Sent: Wednesday, March 11, 2015 11:29 AM > To: [email protected] > Subject: Foam system testing > > Has anyone had to test a foam sprinkler system where it was required to > contain the discharge from the test and not let it flow into sewers or other > site drainage systems? Basically it had to be contained and removed from the > site? > > Craig L. Prahl > Fire Protection Group Lead > CH2MHILL > Lockwood Greene > 1500 International Drive > Spartanburg, SC 29303 > Direct - 864.599.4102 > Fax - 864.599.8439 > CH2MHILL Extension 74102 > [email protected] > > _______________________________________________ > Sprinklerforum mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkl > er.org > > _______________________________________________ > Sprinklerforum mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkl > er.org _______________________________________________ > Sprinklerforum mailing list > [email protected] > http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkl > er.org _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org _______________________________________________ Sprinklerforum mailing list [email protected] http://lists.firesprinkler.org/listinfo.cgi/sprinklerforum-firesprinkler.org
