What are regulations for Deck Foam used for fire fighting as per FSS code ?

Foam solution and foam concentrate

The rate of supply of foam solution shall be not less than the greatest of the following:
  • 6 l/min per square metre of cargo tanks deck area, where cargo tanks deck area means the maximum breadth of the ship multiplied by the total longitudinal extent of the cargo tank spaces;
  • 6 l/min per square metre of the horizontal sectional area of the single tank having the largest such area; or
  • 3 l/min per square metre of the area protected by the largest monitor, such area being entirely forward of the monitor, but not less than 1,250 l/min.

Sufficient foam concentrate shall be supplied to ensure at least 20 min of foam generation in tankers fitted with an inert gas installation or 30 min of foam generation in tankers not fitted with an inert gas installation when using solution rates stipulated in above paragraph , as appropriate, whichever is the greatest. The foam expansion ratio (i.e. the ratio of the volume of foam produced to the volume of the mixture of water and foam making concentrate supplied) shall not generally exceed 12 to 1.

Where systems essentially produce low expansion foam, but an expansion ratio slightly in excess of 12 to 1, the quantity of foam solution available shall be calculated as for 12 to 1 expansion ratio systems.

When medium expansion ratio foam{ (between 50 to 1 and 150 to 1 expansion ratio) is employed, the application rate of the foam and the capacity of a monitor installation shall be to the satisfaction of the Administration.

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