Frequently asked questions

Testing has demonstrated a service life of 10 years or more under the evaluated conditions. Dryfoam is designed to provide continuous, passive vapor suppression and fire protection without requiring pumps, piping, electrical power, or other active components.

Not necessarily. In applications such as floating-roof tank rim seals, only the lower portion of the Dryfoam bead layer is continuously exposed to the stored hydrocarbon.

Rather than replacing the entire volume, you can add an additional 3 inches of Dryfoam above the existing beads. This increases the protective layer's depth while allowing the original beads to remain in place.

The additional layer is intended to extend the system's service life by approximately another 10 years, subject to inspection, application conditions, and confirmation that the required protective depth is maintained.

Dryfoam beads are retained within the rim seal space by stainless steel mesh. During tank maintenance and with the floating roof on its legs, a section of the mesh can be opened, allowing the beads to be swept or directed through the opening into a collection tote positioned below.

This arrangement permits removal and recovery without specialized pumping or extraction equipment.

Dryfoam is designed for recovery and refurbishment rather than disposal.

You can clean recovered beads of residual hydrocarbons using an appropriate cleaning solution, such as a compatible solvent or warm water and detergent, subject to the applicable safety and waste-handling requirements.

The cleaned beads can then be returned to our manufacturing facility near Boston, Massachusetts, where they are inspected, tested, and, if suitable, refurbished to restore their original protective properties.

This approach minimizes waste, reduces replacement costs, and supports a more sustainable, circular product lifecycle.

Dryfoam requires no routine mechanical maintenance. Because it operates passively, there are no pumps, valves, electrical components, or chemical proportioning systems to maintain.

We recommend an initial inspection within the first two years of installation, including representative spot checks to verify that the beads remain properly positioned and the protective layer maintains its required depth.

Subsequent periodic visual inspections can be incorporated into the facility's normal inspection program.

Dryfoam offers an alternative approach to conventional water-based foam fire protection systems covered by NFPA 11.

NFPA 11, Section 1.5, provides a framework for considering alternative materials, methods, and technologies, subject to approval by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) and appropriate supporting evidence demonstrating equivalent protection.

Dryfoam has been independently tested and UL Listed for specified fire protection applications. In addition, Dryfoam-equipped rim seal designs have undergone successful validation testing overseen by LASTFIRE, an internationally recognized industry initiative involving fire protection specialists from major oil companies and organizations focused on Large Atmospheric Storage Tank Fire protection.

These independent evaluations provide supporting technical evidence for AHJs considering Dryfoam as an alternative to conventional NFPA 11 systems. Approval remains application-specific and subject to the requirements of the relevant AHJ.

Dryfoam can be applied to a broad range of flammable and volatile liquids to suppress vapor emissions and reduce the risk of ignition and fire. The beads float on the liquid surface, forming a protective barrier that limits vapor release and can provide fire suppression or thermal protection. Potential applications include:

• Oil storage tank rim seals: continuous, passive protection of the annular space between the floating roof and tank shell.
• Sumps and spill containment areas: vapor suppression wherever flammable liquids accumulate.
• Oil-filled transformer containment: passive protection within secondary containment basins.
• LNG and LPG containment pits: vapor and thermal radiation suppression under application-specific conditions.
• Emergency spill response: rapid deployment over pooled flammable or hazardous liquids to reduce vapor emissions and ignition risks.

Because Dryfoam requires no water supply, chemical concentrate, or external power, it is particularly attractive for remote locations, facilities with limited firefighting infrastructure, and applications where conventional systems may be impractical.

The suitability of Dryfoam depends on the liquid involved, the containment geometry, required bead depth, and the applicable testing and regulatory requirements.

No. Dryfoam is oil-phobic, which allows it to rest on oil surfaces for a long period of time.

It depends on the application:

• Rim seals: Dryfoam can be poured into existing designs as a stop-gap risk reduction layer, and provided in conjunction with our rim seal partner for an approved 10-year life solution.
• Transformer catch basins: the floor is covered by one layer of bagged Dryfoam, while an indoor setting requires 3 inches of bulk Dryfoam, which is poured.
• LNG and LPG trenches and sumps, along with IBC totes and tanker trucks, follow the same procedure as transformer catch basins: place the outdoor bags on the containment floor.
• Rooftop solar panels receive a single layer of bags placed underneath the panels and electrified hardware.

The liquid's vapor pressure is a major contributor to that decision. In general, liquids with a vapor pressure greater than 1.0 psia should receive 6 inches, while those below 1.0 psia may receive 3 inches. The Dryfoam coverage calculator recommends a depth and quantity for your containment.

Approval remains application-specific and subject to the requirements of the relevant Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).