DNV verifies Survitec’s new firefighting foam tests

(Posted on 15/07/21)

Classification society DNV has issued a verification statement allowing global survival technology specialist Survitec to use its game-changing fire foam testing process onboard maritime vessels or offshore structures.

Survitec’s new Produced Foam Live Test method uses ultrasound technology to verify the effectiveness of fire-fighting foam, according to the mandatory requirements set out in IMO MSC.1/Circ.1432 9.2.4.

The ruling applies to any vessel or offshore structure that has a deck foam system, a high expansion foam system (engine room) or Heli-deck foam system.

Foam proportioners or other mixing devices need to be tested every five years to confirm that the mixing ratio is within +30 to -10% of the nominal mixing ratio defined by the manufacturer.

However, while ultrasonic flow meters are commonly to measure fluid flow in pipework, it is thought to be the first time ultrasound technology has been used to quantify the exact water/foam ratio. Two ultrasonic flow meters are used to compare both values.

Jan-Oskar Lid, Technical Sales Manager, Survitec, said: “We have developed a safe, environmentally sound and predictable test method removing a lot of the time and expense involved in foam sampling and testing. It delivers peace of mind to ship operators and crews.”

Unlike existing techniques, the Survitec method means testing can be performed while the vessel is berthed alongside, without having to discharge any foam overboard or send samples to testing labs.

Current test methodologies have to run the fire-fighting system with foam for at least two minutes, so there is a heavy consumption of costly concentrate, often resulting in the need to replace the entire tank volume. The produced foam is discharged overboard.

Survitec’s Produced Foam Live Test does not need to use the concentrate or produce foam in the test, using only seawater, which is more environmentally friendly than alternative solutions.

“Samples also have to be sent to a service station for testing and if the sample fails, then the foam proportioner has to be adjusted, and the process repeated, which makes other available solutions more costly and time-consuming, compared with Survitec’s new test process,” said Lid.

Most commercial ships and rigs will have a fixed system that uses foam to extinguish a fire, but the ratio of foam concentrate and seawater has to be correct for the produced foam to work.

Service experience is demonstrating that wear and tear, plus aging of the foam mixing equipment, can have a negative effect on the correct mixing ratio given by the foam system.

On using the new ultrasound technique, Lid said: “All the crew has to do is ensure that a fire pump is running at the required capacity for the test’s duration. The procedure obviates the need to use the system’s foam concentrate.

“As no foam is used, there is no need to top up or refill the tank. And if any adjustments are required then the foam proportioner can be tweaked during the test and not in interludes, which can affect normal service.”

Survitec has now trained teams to use the new process at service stations in Singapore, Fujairah, Barcelona, Rotterdam, Bremerhaven, Aberdeen, Liverpool, Houston, Panama and Macae (Brazil), and will roll out the system to other locations over the coming months.

Survitec’s Produced Foam Live Test method has already been used by several well-known gas carrier operators.

Latest News

Biomar delivered to AtoB@C Shipping as production of last vessel of series begins

Biomar has been delivered to ESL Shipping's subsidiary AtoB@C Shipping on June 16, bringing the number... Read more

Smart Ship Hub digital platform deployed for Great Eastern Shipping Company fleet

Great Eastern Shipping Co. Ltd. (GESCO), India's largest private fleet owner of bulkers and tankers,... Read more

Baltic Exchange introduces monthly audits to improve Baltic index quality

Baltic Exchange has launched a new quality control mechanism to support its ongoing audit policies for... Read more

INTERCARGO report: Safety gains continue but security threats emerge

INTERCARGO, the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners, reports encouraging progress in bulk... Read more

Marcura and Sedna Partner to simplify maritime workflows

Marcura and Dataloy Systems have announced a new phase in their long-standing strategic partnership... Read more

Ageing fleet drives surge in number of maritime incidents, says DNV report

According to DNV’s latest report, Maritime Safety Trends 2014-2024 - Preparing for future risks... Read more

Two Damen Combi Freighters 3850 launched for Fast Lines Belgium

The second of three Damen Combi Freighters (CF) 3850 has been launched in China for Fast Lines Belgium... Read more

Columbia: Diversity’s ‘forgotten twin’ inclusion must be priority

Inclusion is every bit as important as diversity in ensuring that shipping becomes a truly welcoming... Read more

Postfix for shipbrokers made simple

AXSMarine, a pioneer and market leader in the provision of advanced solutions and market intelligence... Read more

Veson Nautical and Great Eastern Shipping go live with IMOS Platform

Veson Nautical, a global leader in maritime data and freight management solutions, and The Great Eastern... Read more