Noida boosts firefighting with high pressure foam tech for 100 storey blazes
Noida is making a significant stride in urban safety by investing in cutting-edge firefighting technology, enabling its department to combat blazes in buildings up to 100 storeys. This strategic acquisition of high-pressure foam extinguishers marks a crucial enhancement in the city’s emergency response capabilities, directly addressing the unique challenges posed by its burgeoning high-rise landscape and ensuring greater protection for its rapidly growing population.
The rapid vertical expansion of Noida’s urban footprint has presented formidable challenges for emergency services, particularly concerning fire suppression in towering residential and commercial structures. Traditional firefighting methods often grapple with the inherent limitations of water pressure diminishing drastically at extreme altitudes, rendering conventional hoses largely ineffective beyond a certain height. This operational vulnerability has necessitated a technological leap to safeguard the lives and assets within these elevated ecosystems.
In a proactive move, the city’s fire department is set to procure the advanced Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS) technology. This innovative system, recently showcased at a regional fire safety expo and rigorously tested at the 74-storey Supertech Supernova tower, has demonstrated its remarkable ability to deliver high-pressure foam consistently to the uppermost floors. Unlike water, CAFS employs compressed air to generate and propel foam, which is significantly lighter and more effective in suffocating fires by cutting off oxygen supply, while also minimising water damage and runoff.
The successful trial run at the Supernova tower, where the equipment effortlessly reached the building’s apex, has solidified the department’s resolve to integrate this crucial technology. This strategic procurement, estimated at a capital outlay of approximately ₹3 crore for the system and a compatible fire tender, represents a pivotal investment in urban resilience. It directly addresses the critical gap between the average height of Noida’s towers, ranging from 50m to 100m, and the limited effective reach of existing firefighting apparatus.
This modernisation effort is further complemented by a broader governmental focus on enhancing fire and industrial safety across the state. Recent exhibitions have highlighted complementary innovations, including firefighting suits capable of withstanding extreme temperatures and lightweight, battery-operated air-purifying helmets designed to enhance firefighter safety and operational efficiency in smoke-laden environments. These holistic advancements underscore a commitment to creating safer, more sustainable, and equitable urban environments where technological prowess safeguards all citizens.