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FireFlex ICAF: How Does a Compressed Air Foam System Work?

FireFlex ICAF is a fixed compressed air foam fire suppression system that floods a hazard through open nozzles. It combines water, air, and foam concentrate in a mixing chamber and is available in manual, electric, pneumatic, and failsafe release configurations.

How Does FireFlex ICAF Work?

FireFlex ICAF is an integrated compressed air foam fire suppression system designed to flood a hazard with compressed air foam through open nozzles. In practical terms, it stores and controls the key ingredients of foam suppression—water, air, and foam concentrate—and releases them through a pre-engineered piping network when the system activates.

According to the FireFlex Knowledge Vault, an ICAF system is a fixed deluge-type suppression system. The piping remains empty until activation, and the system may be released by pneumatic, electric, or manual means. FireFlex documentation also notes that the trims, water, air and foam controls, CAF mixing chamber, and release system are factory assembled in cabinets and are available in self-contained, remote-controlled, and extension unit configurations.

What Makes Compressed Air Foam Different?

Compressed air foam is not the same as standard sprinkler water discharge. It is produced by combining:

  • Water
  • Foam concentrate
  • Compressed air

These materials are mixed together in a dedicated mixing chamber. The resulting foam expands and spreads across the hazard, helping suppress flammable liquid fires and other special risks with less water than some conventional approaches.

That makes ICAF particularly attractive where fire control speed, surface coverage, and reduced water impact are important.

Typical Applications

The Knowledge Vault describes ICAF as suitable for total flooding or local application depending on nozzle configuration. Common examples include:

  • Hydrocarbon and polar solvent processing hazards
  • Pumps and compressors
  • Piping and containers
  • Diesel or gas engine generator rooms
  • Machinery spaces
  • Hydraulic oil and lubricating oil rooms
  • Storage tanks
  • Fueling areas

For example, a generator room containing fuel and lubricating oil may benefit from compressed air foam because the foam blankets surfaces and helps control the fire efficiently.

Main System Components

FireFlex ICAF documentation identifies the following primary components:

  • ICAF cabinet
  • Foam concentrate tank
  • Air cylinder banks
  • Optional water tank
  • Piping network
  • TAR nozzles
  • Automatic fire detection system
  • Control panel and release logic

The system requires a reliable automatic water supply, while air is provided by compressed air cylinders mounted on a skid and regulated before use. Foam concentrate is stored in a stainless steel tank.

Nozzles and Coverage

One example from the Knowledge Vault is the TAR-225C open deluge nozzle. The datasheet states that it is intended for ceiling nozzle configurations and total flooding protection of two-dimensional flammable or combustible liquid hazards.

Documented characteristics include:

  • Nominal flow: 5.94 gpm
  • Nominal expansion: 10:1
  • Connection: 1-inch NPT female
  • Stainless steel 316L construction

The same source notes that a TAR-225C nozzle can cover up to 100 square feet in many ceiling applications when installed as part of a balanced piping network. Minimum ceiling height is 8 feet, and nozzle distance from the ceiling follows a rule based on ceiling elevation.

Installation and Design Notes

The Knowledge Vault states that ICAF systems must be designed and installed in accordance with applicable codes, standards, and the manufacturer’s design manual. Relevant standards cited in FireFlex specifications include NFPA 11, NFPA 13, NFPA 25, and NFPA 72.

Other important design notes include:

  • Water supply must meet required flow and pressure
  • Nozzles must follow approval limitations for spacing and alignment
  • The system is typically designed for 5 or 10 minutes of discharge depending on application
  • Contractors must install the piping network according to FireFlex layouts
  • FireFlex performs the system flow calculations
Why Customers Choose ICAF

Customers often choose ICAF when they need:

  • Fast suppression of flammable liquid hazards
  • Factory-integrated system components
  • FM Approved equipment
  • Reduced field assembly complexity
  • A solution designed for defined industrial hazards
Next Steps

Before specifying ICAF, confirm the hazard type, nozzle configuration, discharge duration, and available water supply. Foam systems are application-specific, so design assumptions should be checked early.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ICAF a sprinkler system?
Not in the traditional sense. It is a fixed compressed air foam deluge-type suppression system using open nozzles.

What release options are available?
Manual, electric, pneumatic, and electric failsafe configurations are documented in the Knowledge Vault.

Can ICAF be used for local applications?
Yes. FireFlex documentation includes both fixed piping and local or ceiling application configurations.

Who performs hydraulic and flow calculations?
FireFlex documentation states that system flow calculations are performed by FireFlex Systems Inc.