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 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 compressed air foam (CAF) mixing device is suitable for use in a CAF system that includes a pressurized source of a water soap mixture and a pressurized air source. The CAF mixing device includes an inlet portion, a venturi portion and a deceleration portion. The venturi portion communicates with the inlet portion and includes a constricted zone which presents a smaller cross sectional area than the inlet portion. The venturi portion opens into the deceleration portion that has a substantially larger cross sectional area than the venturi portion. At least one pressurized air conduit communicates with the pressurized air source and is arranged to be adjacent to the deceleration portion. At least one aperture communicates between the pressurized air conduit and the deceleration portion and introduces high pressure air into the deceleration portion in order to produce a water soap foam (CAF) suitable for firefighting.

A compressed air foam (CAF) mixing device is suitable for use in a CAF system that includes a pressurized source of a water soap mixture and a pressurized air source. The CAF mixing device includes an inlet portion, a venturi portion and a deceleration portion. The venturi portion communicates with the inlet portion and includes a constricted zone which presents a smaller cross sectional area than the inlet portion. The venturi portion opens into the deceleration portion that has a substantially larger cross sectional area than the venturi portion. At least one pressurized air conduit communicates with the pressurized air source and is arranged to be adjacent to the deceleration portion. At least one aperture communicates between the pressurized air conduit and the deceleration portion and introduces high pressure air into the deceleration portion in order to produce a water soap foam (CAF) suitable for firefighting.

An integrated operator interface for a fire suppression system is provided. The fire suppression system includes an engine, a water source, a water pump, a foam system and a compressed air system. The integrated operator interface includes a control panel including a plurality of one-touch activation controls. Each one-touch activation control is configured to cause the output of a predetermined fire suppression fluid from the fire suppression system and cause a predetermined increase in engine speed resulting in an associated increase in water pump pressure. The predetermined fire suppression fluid comprising a predetermined flow of water, a predetermined type of foamant, a predetermined concentration of the predetermined type of foamant, and a predetermined flow of compressed air.

An integrated operator interface for a fire suppression system is provided. The fire suppression system includes an engine, a water source, a water pump, a foam system and a compressed air system. The integrated operator interface includes a control panel including a plurality of one-touch activation controls. Each one-touch activation control is configured to cause the output of a predetermined fire suppression fluid from the fire suppression system and cause a predetermined increase in engine speed resulting in an associated increase in water pump pressure. The predetermined fire suppression fluid comprising a predetermined flow of water, a predetermined type of foamant, a predetermined concentration of the predetermined type of foamant, and a predetermined flow of compressed air.

A fire extinguisher includes a liquid fire extinguishing media, and first and second gases inside of a storage vessel at an operating pressure, and a discharge tube extending between a control valve and the fire extinguishing media. At least a portion of the first gas is dissolved in the fire extinguishing media. The control valve can be operated to control discharge of the fire extinguishing media via the discharge tube whereupon at least a portion of the second gas enters a flow of the fire extinguishing media via one or more holes in the discharge tube forming bubbles of the second gas in the flow of the fire extinguishing media. The fire extinguishing media exiting the control valve can pass through a nozzle which can causing first and second portions of the fire extinguishing media to collide forming a plume mist of the fire extinguishing media.

An apparatus and method directed to aspirated-type high-expansion foam generation having a nozzle manifold configured to receive a foam solution and at least one nozzle assembly. The generator includes a foam generator assembly disposed adjacent the nozzle manifold. The foam generator has a body portion having a first foam generating portion and a second foam generating portion that is connected to the first foam generating portion. The generator is configured with a main header of the nozzle manifold disposed orthogonal to at least one sub-header; less than six nozzle assemblies; a ratio of a diameter of an inlet of a respective nozzle to a distance from an inner wall surface of the header to the inlet of the respective nozzle is 0.8 or less; and a nozzle with a nozzle insert with a crossover path defined by a non-sharp transition member and a cone shaped tip.

An apparatus and method directed to aspirated-type high-expansion foam generation having a nozzle manifold configured to receive a foam solution and at least one nozzle assembly. The generator includes a foam generator assembly disposed adjacent the nozzle manifold. The foam generator has a body portion having a first foam generating portion and a second foam generating portion that is connected to the first foam generating portion. The generator is configured with a main header of the nozzle manifold disposed orthogonal to at least one sub-header; less than six nozzle assemblies; a ratio of a diameter of an inlet of a respective nozzle to a distance from an inner wall surface of the header to the inlet of the respective nozzle is 0.8 or less; and a nozzle with a nozzle insert with a crossover path defined by a non-sharp transition member and a cone shaped tip.

A floor nozzle assembly and systems and methods including means for generating and distributing a firefighting foam. The means generates and distributes a fluorine-free foam having an effective foam quality for total coverage over a floor area of at least 25 ft.×25 ft. at an application density of at least 0.1 GPM/SQ. FT with the floor area having a slope of 1 in: 8 ft.