Fire extinguishing performance of a novel fire suppression system in large-scale tank fires

A novel fire suppression system, which combines foam and perlites was proposed. In order to further evaluate the suppression performance of the system, the fire suppression efficiency with foam system, perlites and the combination system were assessed by using a 1 m oil pan. The rate of foam spread, re-ignition and burn-back resistance time were tested in the full-scale experiment. The results illustrated the foam system can effectively extinguish the fires, but flames burned back later. Additionally, the perlites system can almost extinguish the fires but some edge fires occurred, and performed good burn-back resistance. The combination system can extinguish the fires and performed good burn-back resistance. The second part of this study changed the order of the two systems. The results show that “foam first and then perlites” could not perform burn-back resistance because the perlites destroyed the foam layer. Additionally, foam could not spread smoothly in the case of “perlites first and then foam” because the perlite surface is rough. The case of foam and perlites activating simultaneously performed the best. • A novel fire suppression system using both foam and perlites is effective in large-scale tank fires. • The novel system can effectively prevent re-ignition and burn-back. • The released perlites cover the fuel surface and prevent oxygen into burning. • The foam system can effectively cool down the fuel surface. • The spread velocity of foam solution is influenced by the viscosity and shear stress of interface.