Mobile | Semi-stable | Traditional stable | Pi Foam System | ||
Normal fire-vehicle system with water tank and foam monitor | Semi-stable firefighting system with water/foam source | Automatic pump and foam generator-type extinguishment system | Tank-type pneumatic detector activated Pi Foam System | ||
Time until extinguishment starts | 30 - 120 min | 15-30 min | 3-5 min | 0.5 - 1 min | |
Damage before extinguishment starts | heat stress and deformation on the upper side of the tank wall | heat stress and deformation on the upper side of the tank wall | low scale | not expected | |
Normal foam-solution intensity (L/min/m2) | 5 - 10 | 5 - 8 | 5 - 12 | 15 - 50+ | |
Typical extinguishment time | 2 - 48 hours | 1 - 24 hours | 30 min | 2-3 min | |
Overall damage | severe damage to the tank, usually needs to be demolished | large-scale damage, high repair cost or demolition required | low-scale damage | low-scale or no damage | |
Extinguisment cost | very high | high | low | low | |
OUTSIDE FACTORS | Special staff requirements | very high | high | not required | not required |
Roads, traffic | yes | yes | no | no | |
Fuel | yes | yes | yes | no | |
Electricity | no | yes | yes | no | |
OPERATIONAL RELIABILITY | Operational Reliability level | high | low | moderate | very high |
Variables that affect operational reliability; potential pitfalls | Condition of fire vehicles and their equipment, traffic, fire brigade skill and training levels, access to water, availability of fire engines, availability of foam concentrate | Condition of fire vehicles and their equipment, traffic, fire brigade skill and training levels, condition of water pumps, access to water, availability of fire engines, availability of foam concentrate, maintenance failure | Electricity supply, condition of pumps and foam mixers, foam concentrate supply, maintenance failure | Mechanical damage, maintenance failure | |
EXTINGUISHMENT RELIABILITY | Extinguishment Reliability level | low | moderate | moderate | very high |
Variables that affect extinguishment reliability; potential pitfalls | foam, fuel or water supplies run out, updraft, wind or long extinguishment distance | foam, fuel or water supplies run out | expired or poor-quality foam concentrate, capacity limitations | expired or poor-quality foam concentrate | |
FINANCIAL COMPARISON | CAPEX | moderate | moderate | high | low/moderate |
OPEX | extremely high | extremely high | high | low | |
Maintenance requirement | high | moderate | high | low | |