For MRO Management, Bob Coonts provides details on Viking Group’s various foam protection solutions designed for challenging aircraft hangar applications.

Viking Group (Viking) products include both high expansion Fluorine Free Foam solutions and low expansion Synthetic Fluorine Free Fixed Foam (SFFF) solutions that safeguard hangars at every level through a range of FM approved and UL listed product selections.

Low expansion SFFF foam for hydrocarbon and polar solvent solutions

Viking provides a robust offering of UL listed and FM approved low expansion foam discharge devices. UL listed oscillating foam monitors protect aircraft hangars under the wing level, meaning that foam is spread across the floor without coming into contact with the plane itself.

Also offered is the new FM approved Model GN202 Grate Nozzle, installed in the trench drain, that sprays low expansion SFFF foam across the floor in 90°, 180° and 360° discharge patterns.

Low expansion concentrates include FM approved and UL listed Viking USP 3% SFFF and FM approved ARK SFFF. Optional upgrade kits for Model GN200 and GN201 Grate Nozzles allow retrofit of existing nozzles for SFFF foam compatibility.

Additional FM approved low expansion foam suppression products include upright and pendent sprinklers, wide range proportioners, UL listed foam bladder tanks and more.

Fluorine Free high expansion foam systems

High expansion foam concentrates and discharge devices offer additional solutions for hangars. Fluorine Free UL listed Viking 3% XMAX is a high-performing, multi-purpose high expansion concentrate consisting of hydrocarbon surfactants blended with various solvents, preservatives and stabilisers. When expelled through foam generators, expansion rates are up to 595:1- 837:1.

UL listed high expansion generators are available in both single and paired mounting options for vertical and horizontal installation. The stainless-steel generators, which weigh just 153 lbs (69.39 kg), have no external power source needed and feature no moving parts.

VSF flame detectors

Intelligent visual flame detectors, like Viking’s VSF300 and VSF301, process live video images in near infrared (IR) to visually identify characteristic properties of flames and ignore false alarm stimuli. The VSF303 is an explosion-proof multi-spectrum IR flame detector, responding to hydrocarbon liquid fuel and gas fires over long distances in just seconds.

Digital tools for your foam needs

Viking offers foam estimators that provide the industry’s easiest way to calculate foam systems. The ‘LoEx Foam Estimator’ and ‘HiEx Foam Estimator’ step customers through various categories for concentrate calculations and product needs. Once complete, export a product listing to your local Viking SupplyNet to receive a quote from customer service.

This feature was first published in MRO Management – August/September 2023. To read the magazine in full, click here.