Chapter 18: Firefighting, Rescue and Assistance
Mechanical Foam Nozzle F.32. Mechanical foam nozzle
A mechanical foam nozzle is a device that mixes water, air, and AFFF in proper proportions to produce effective fire fighting foam.
F.33. Description
A mechanical foam nozzle is attached to a standard fire hose running from the fire main system. It draws air in through air ports located in the water inlet end of a foam nozzle. When air and foam concentrate mix in a nozzle, foam is discharged toward a fire (See Figure 18-10).
Mechanical Foam Nozzle Figure 18-10 F.34. Safety precautions
A person operating a mechanical foam nozzle must be aware that the range of mobility is limited by the length of the pickup hose leading to a container of foam concentrate. If a nozzle operator moves too far, the pickup tube will lose suction and the nozzle will begin to discharge only water, not foam. Depending on the type of fire being fought, this may be very dangerous.
18-41