Velocity led the critical design effort to replace an outdated Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) fire suppression system with a Synthetic Fluorine-Free Foam (SFFF) system at an active power plant. The team designed a new prefabricated pump house equipped with pumps, storage tanks, and control systems that integrate seamlessly with the existing site-wide piping network, resulting in a fully modernized and environmentally responsible fire suppression solution.
The scope of work began with a detailed on-site survey to document the condition and configuration of the existing system. Based on the assessment, Velocity engineered the full conversion from the legacy AFFF system to a sustainable SFFF system. The prefabricated pump house was designed to accommodate all foam pumping and control equipment, as well as heating, sprinkler protection, fire alarm, and electrical power infrastructure.
Ensuring uninterrupted plant operations was central to the design strategy. To avoid damaging existing utilities or encountering unforeseen subsurface obstructions, the project team performed comprehensive underground scanning using ground-penetrating radar. Additional care was taken to safeguard the integrity of the aging piping system, as exposed pipes presented significant environmental and cost risks due to potential chemical releases. To mitigate these risks, the team conducted ultrasonic testing to verify that pipe wall thicknesses met the requirements for continued reuse.
