Survitec targets cost and pressure reduction with new high-expansion foam system
Survitec has developed a new high-expansion foam fire suppression system that is said to significantly reduce pressure requirements and installation costs. It marks an engineering shift aimed at improving onboard fire safety while lowering the burden on shipyards and owners.
At the centre of the redesign is a new foam generator that delivers increased foam output at much lower operating pressures. Maciej Nieścioruk, product manager for foam and clean agent systems at Survitec, says lowering pressure was a core goal.
“By optimising nozzle alignment, introducing new rotary elements, and improving airflow, we now achieve very high expansion rates at lower nominal pressures,” he says. “That means fewer units are needed for the same foam volume, lowering capital, installation and servicing costs.”
The generator incorporates several changes: a redesigned impeller to draw in more air, improved discharge efficiency through rotary elements, and better nozzle positioning to eliminate blind spots. The cumulative effect is a system that’s more compact, efficient, and easier to maintain while maintaining compliance and safety standards.
Validation testing, carried out in partnership with DNV, confirms consistent expansion ratios and reliable discharge behaviour across system configurations. Survitec supports integration by working directly with shipyards to ensure pump and pipework compatibility and to manage class approvals.
Designed for flexibility, the new system is suitable for total flooding applications in machinery spaces aboard gas carriers and tankers, and for RORO spaces on Pure Car Carriers (PCCs). It supports both manual and remote deployment and integrates with Survitec’s safety management solution, SMARR-TI.
Crucially, the system is also fluorine-free, aligning with upcoming environmental regulations. Replacement foam concentrates are available globally through Survitec’s service network. The company recently expanded its service station in Fujairah, UAE, increasing capacity by 1,350 square metres
