New York Power Authority Foam Fire Suppression System

A foam fire suppression system is an essential safety feature for fuel storage tanks because water alone cannot extinguish liquid fires. Foam quenches these fires by blanketing the fuel and preventing vapors from igniting. The previous system mixed firefighting foam with water from the nearby East River, whose salinity corroded the equipment and piping. Designing a new freshwater system was this $2.3 million project’s initial aim, which expanded to incorporate environmentally friendly foam. New “green” foams can fight liquid fires without PFAS-containing “forever” chemicals, which have been linked to negative effects on people and animals. GPI fulfilled the NYPA’s primary objective of developing a new freshwater foam suppression system and its additional aim of modifying it for use with fluorine-free foam.

The new FDNY-compliant fire suppression system protects two 3.2 million-gallon tanks. GPI investigated foam alternatives and conducted hydraulic calculations for converting to green foam, including re-sizing pipes and injectors. The balanced pressure proportioning system automatically mixes and pressurizes the foam concentrate. A 1,500-gallon storage tank can deliver the 3 percent foam solution at a rate of 1,500 gallons per minute. The system is enclosed in a new prefabricated building that is elevated to meet federal floodproofing guidelines. GPI designed skid-mounted equipment to simplify installation, reduce costs, and shorten turnaround time for review and approval. GPI designs include piping, valves, pumps, tanks, nozzles, motors, gears, controllers, wiring, conduits, controls, and monitoring equipment. Above-ground water pipes feature electrical heat tracing, thermal insulation, and waterproof jackets. GPI also designed the installation of a diesel-powered emergency generator for backup power.

GPI provided extensive engineering and construction support. Though extremely rare, tank fires can be catastrophic, so ensuring systems are functioning optimally is crucial. GPI conducted tests for pressure and velocity to ensure the system would activate in the event of a fire emergency.