A system for dispensing flame retardant foam on the exterior of a structure. The structure has an opening that enables distribution of flame retardant foam onto the roof. The system includes a foam distribution system having a foam expansion chamber and a roof plenum for delivery through the roof opening. Foam solution and compressed air are combined in a conduit and supplied to the foam expansion chamber. The structure may have at least one wall. In that case, the system may have a wall plenum for delivery of flame retardant foam from the foam expansion chamber through a first wall-associated opening. Each such wall will have an opening associated with the wall that enables distribution of flame retardant foam onto that wall.

The present disclosure relates to a foam machine. Liquid for generating foams is conveyed onto a laminating member through a liquid pump. The laminating member further conveys the liquid onto a foam forming device. On the foam forming device, a rotating ring is provided with a plurality of forming rings and a plurality of forming ribs, so that a plurality of foam film forming holes are formed in the rotating ring; afterwards, as the rotating ring rotates, the laminating member can form foam films on the respective foam film forming holes, and continuous foams are formed after an air flow is blown through; the foams are pushed by the air flow to be continuously sprayed out; and new foam films are continuously formed on the respective foam film forming holes.

A fire suppression apparatus for fighting fires from a vehicle configured for flight is disclosed, comprising a foam and water held in separate containers aboard the vehicle that when mixed forms a fire retardant, a pump driven by an electric motor to pressurize the fire retardant, the pump including an air induction valve where air is drawn into a suction end of the pump and pressurized together with the fire retardant, and an aimable boom connected to the pump by a conduit, the boom including a nozzle on a distal end of the boom from which the pressurized fire retardant and air is dispensed toward a target.

A method of manufacturing a self-expanding fire-fighting foam solution is disclosed. Here, the method can include purging air from a container, wherein the purging is performed via flowing an inert gas into the container, such that substantially inert environment is created within the container. In addition, the method can further include dispensing or filling a pre-determined amount of foam concentrate into a container, dispensing or filling a pre-determined amount of water into the container, and mixing the foam concentrate and water within the container, wherein the mixed foam and water within the inert container provide the self-expanding fire-fighting foam solution and having a pH ranging from about 6.8 to 7.8 moles per liter.

The present invention discloses an improved compressed air foam pumping/generation system in which the compressed gas that is used to drive a pumping system is re-utilized and introduced into the outlet manifold to more efficaciously generate a compressed gas foam. A further improvement could include a three-way valve which controls the flow of the compressed gas so that the present invention could be used to generate CAF, aspirated foam (with use of an appropriate nozzle), gels or operate as a simple pump. Additional optional components include a check valve and flexible connection material.

The present invention relates to a novel fire suppression device for prohibiting fire and preventing same from spreading. The device is compact and is configured to autonomously release type A or type B fire-retardant foam for covering a structure such as a building or portions thereof. The device includes a plurality of components, including a water reservoir, a foam concentrate reservoir, an oxygen reservoir, and an aerator for forming fire-retardant foam. In one embodiment, the device includes a sensor for detecting excessive temperature, smoke, or fire for autonomously actuating the device. In another embodiment, the device is manually activated by a user. The device can be used with new or existing buildings, designated fire (i.e., fireplace) spaces, and/or cook areas as well.

A fire suppression system may include a tank and a manifold in the tank. The tank, when charged, holds a liquid pressurized with a gas. The manifold has an inlet coupled to receive a liquid flow from a lower portion of the tank and inlets configured to receive gas flows from a upper portion of the tank. An expansion chamber in the manifold receives the liquid flow and the gas flows, which create a liquid-gas vortex that produces foam.

A multi-modular aerial firefighting control method and apparatus for use by firefighters to control fire. The multi-modular aerial firefighting control method and apparatus generally includes multi-modular units that are held together to form an aerial firefighting system. The modular units may work together or independently. The multi-modular system comprises more than one modular unit, fluid, fluid conduit, reservoir, air flow generator, multi-modular unit support structure, aerial suspension system and aerial lift system.

An embodiment of a fire suppression apparatus for fighting fires from an aerial vehicle is disclosed having a foam and water held in separate containers that when mixed forms a fire retardant in the separate water container, a pump driven by a first electric motor, the pump including an air induction valve positioned at the pump inlet where air and the fire retardant are drawn into the inlet and pressurized simultaneously by the pump, a primer pump driven by a second electric motor to prime the inlet with the fire retardant before starting the pump, an inverter to control startup of the first electric motor, and an aimable boom connected to the pump by a conduit, the boom including a nozzle on a distal end of the boom from which the pressurized water/foam/air fire retardant is dispensed toward a target. Vertical mount plates can attach the apparatus to opposite sides of the helicopter.

An aerial firefighting system has a foam production unit attached to an aircraft. The foam production unit has a single unit variable block high expansion foam generator; a light weight bladder tank system for collection and storage of water; a light weight bladder tank system for storage of a foaming agent; a telemetry unit for adjusting air flow, foam agent proportioning, and water pressure; and tubing for foam stream straightening. The foam production unit also has a fan capable of delivering at least 75,000 cubic feet per minute of air. The incorporation of a high-CFM fan increases foam production capability more than tenfold over existing aerial firefighting systems. The volume of firefighting foam produced is in excess of 50,000 cubic feet of foam per minute.