1. Foam System Testing And Calibration
Today’s Program
Foam System Testing And Calibration

2. Your Presenters Are… Jim Johannessen Bill Ballantyne
Fire Equipment Services Group of Underwriters Laboratories Inc. for the past 26 years
Member of the NFPA 1901 (Automotive Apparatus) and 1500 (Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health) Committees
Bill Ballantyne
Vice President – FoamPro (16 years)
President Fire Apparatus Manufacturers Association (2004)
NFPA 1901 Committee Principal Member (FAMA)
Chairman – Foam Technical Committee

3. Disclaimer… This is not an official NFPA presentation
No committee member can speak for the NFPA
Members can only give their opinion

4. NFPA Standards Compliance with standards is Voluntary
They are Minimum standards
They are Consensus standards
Committee work is voluntary – No Pay

5. NFPA Standards… Editions are reviewed and updated every 5 years
Editions can be “short-cycled” to address significant developments or changes
A TIA (Temporary Interim Amendment) can be implemented to address issues that may arise
Over 250 standards in the NFPA system

6. NFPA Standards… Main body is mandatory…SHALL
Annex material is recommended… SHOULD

7. NFPA Apparatus Committee
NFPA 1901 Committee is responsible for:
1901: FD Apparatus
1906: Wildland Apparatus
1911: In-Service Testing, Maintenance and Replacement
1912: Refurbishment

8. NFPA Apparatus Committee…
Committee balance is mandatory
1/3 Fire Service (10)
1/3 Manufacturers (10)
1/3 Experts, Specialists, Testing (10)

9. NFPA Apparatus Committee…
Almost all current members have been in the fire service
Chairman is always a fire service officer
Chief Don Frazeur, LAFD

10. One Last Word About The Standard
Everything in 1901 is there for a reason!
Usually something undesirable has happened:
A firefighter has been injured or worse, killed
Pay attention – they could save your life!

11. NFPA 1901 2009 Edition Now available. Order at:
Applies to all orders signed after January 1, 2009

13. Proportioning Rates Ratio of concentrate to water
Expressed as a percentage
1.0% = 1 unit of concentrate to 99 units of water
3.0% = 3 units of concentrate to 97 units of water
0.5% = 0.5 unit of concentrate to 99.5 units of water

14. Common Proportioning Rates
Class A
0.1% - 1.0%
Class B
1%, 3%, 6%
(1% x 3%), (3% x 6%), (3% x 3%) (Hydrocarbons x Polar Solvent fuels)
Emulsifiers / Gels
Varies by manufacturer / usage

15. NFPA 1901 and 1906 Now Require…
For proportioning rates equal or greater than 1%:
- 0% to + 30% or 1 percentage point, whichever is less ( )
For proportioning rates less than 1%:
- 0% to + 40% ( ) 6%
30%
20%
10% 3% 1% - +
40%
Lean
Rich
Allowable Range:
6%: 6.0 – 7.0%
3%: %
1%: 1.0 – 1.3%
0.5%: – 0.70%
0.2%: – 0.28%

16. Why Is Accuracy So Important?
Performance
Ability to make wet, fluid or dry foam (Class A foam)
Ability to richen for heavy rain (Class B foam)
Ability to seal (Class B foam)
Logistics
Cost
Environmental Concerns (Class B)

18. Manufacturer’s Responsibilities – What to Expect
Chapter Four of NFPA 1901 requires:
If the apparatus has a foam proportioning system, the foam proportioning system manufacturer’s certification of accuracy (see ) and the final installer’s certification the foam proportioning system meets this standard(see )

19. Labels and Instruction Plates
An instruction plate shall be provided for the foam proportioning system that includes, at a minimum, a piping schematic of the system and basic operating instructions.

20. Labels and Instruction Plates
Foam classification type
Maximum and minimum proportioning rates (percent)
Maximum and minimum waterflow [gpm (L/min)]
Maximum and minimum operating pressures
The statement “Use only concentrates that are compatible with this foam proportioning system. Refer to the foam proportioning system manufacturer’s operating manual.”

21. Foam Proportioning System Accuracy.
The foam proportioning system shall be type tested and certified by the foam proportioning system manufacturer to be accurate throughout the foam proportioning system’s declared range of waterflow, water pressure, foam percentage (or foam proportioning system capacity), and concentrate viscosity.

22. The methods of testing a foam proportioning system for calibration accuracy.
Substituting water for foam concentrate
Measuring foam concentrate pump output directly
Determining foam percentage by use of a refractometer
Determining foam percentage by use of a conductivity meter

23. How Accurate Are These Test Methods?
Volumetric is most accurate (and least expensive)
Measuring equipment must be calibrated correctly
Foam viscosities may effect your results if you are substituting water for foam
Conditions may not lend themselves to using refractometer or conductivity

24. Substituting water for foam concentrate
The proportioning system is operated at the waterflow rates at which the system is to be tested.
Using water as a foam substitute draw from a separate calibrated tank rather than the foam concentrate tank.
The volume of water drawn from the calibrated tank divided by the volume of water pumped over the same time period multiplied by 100 represents the percentage of foam the proportioning system is producing.

25. Measuring foam concentrate pump output directly
With the foam proportioning system operating at a given waterflow rate and either foam concentrate or water used as a substitute for foam concentrate, the output of the foam concentrate pump is measured by diverting that output into a calibrated container for direct measurement over a given period of time. An alternative is to measure the foam concentrate flow or water substitute with a calibrated meter.

26. Determining Foam Percentage by Use of a Refractometer.
This test determines the accuracy of a foam system’s proportioning equipment by measuring the percentage concentration of a foam concentrate in the foam solution.

27. Determining Foam Percentage by Use of a Refractometer.
The amount of foam concentrate in the solution is measured with a refractometer.
A base calibration curve is first drawn using the samples of foam concentrate and water taken from the foam system.
Samples of the actual foam solution produced by the system are then tested and plotted on the graph.
The results must fall within the parameters set by NFPA

28. Determining Foam Percentage by Use of a Conductivity Meter.
The conductivity test method is based on changes in electrical conductivity as foam concentrate is added to water.
The accuracy of this type of testing will deteriorate as the conductivity of the water and concentrate approach each other.

29. Measuring Foam Output Using The Volumetric Method

30. Instrumentation
The instruments on the right of the ruler are conductivity meters and the instrument on the left is a refractometer

31. NFPA 1911 Standard for the Inspection, Maintenance, Testing, and Retirement of In-Service Automotive Fire Apparatus
2007 Edition

32. Performance Testing Of Foam Proportioning Systems (1911)
20.1 Test to determine if capable of delivering foam for the agents used
Tested at least annually
Inspect all components
20.2 Operated at % specified by AHJ at flows and pressures for the agent(s) used
Measure calibration accuracy
Use same test points for every test
20.3 Acceptable Testing Methods
20.4 Test all concentrates carried
20.5 Meet accuracy level in effect during install

33. NFPA 11 Inspection and Test Forms

35. NFPA 1901 Purchaser Requirements
The purchaser shall specify the following:
Range of waterflows and pressures
Proportioning rates
Types of concentrate(s) (Class A, Class B, etc)
Brand and viscosity of concentrate

36. 20.10 Foam Proportioning System Accuracy (1901 and 1906)
The foam proportioning system shall be type tested and certified by the foam proportioning system manufacturer to be accurate throughout the foam proportioning system’s declared range of water flow, water pressure, foam percentage (or foam proportioning system capacity), and concentrate viscosity.

37. Foam Percentage or Foam Proportioning System Capacity
Test Points for (Manufacturer’s) Certification of Foam Proportioning System Performance (1901 and 1906)
Waterflow
Water Pressure
Foam Percentage or Foam Proportioning System Capacity
Minimum
Maximum
Midrange

38. 3-D Description Of Terms
Water Flow
Water Pressure
Foam Output
Maximum / Maximum / Maximum
Midrange
Minimum / Minimum / Minimum

39. 20.11 Testing and Documentation
The final installer shall test and certify the following:
The foam proportioning system, as installed, complies with the foam manufacturer’s installation recommendations.
The foam proportioning system has been calibrated and tested to meet the foam equipment manufacturer’s and the purchaser’s specifications.
At a minimum, the foam proportioning system has been tested at the points defined in Table for each foam system injection point.

40. Foam Percentage or Foam Proportioning System Capacity
Test Points for Installation Testing of Foam Proportioning System Performance (1901 and 1906)
Waterflow
Water Pressure
Foam Percentage or Foam Proportioning System Capacity
Midrange
Minimum
Maximum

42. Performance Testing A FoamPro
Most accurate test method is volumetric.
Measure water by either flow or volume
Flow using a pitot gauge
Volume using a calibrated container
Measure foam by volume or flow
Flow using a calibrated flow meter

43. Tools Required Pitot gauge for measuring water flow
Calibrated container for collecting foam (water)
Pressure gauge with load valve to set “back pressure”
Stop watch

44. Measuring Water Flow – Pitot Gauge

45. Pressure Gauge / Load Valve Assembly To Simulate Back Pressure In Foam Line
Plumb to calibrate side of Cal / Inject Valve
Use Load Valve to adjust Back Pressure

46. Installer Testing A FoamPro Model 2001 And 2-1/2” Flowmeter
Cross reference the proportioner model and the flowmeter size on the testing matrix chart
Water Flow:
Use
Simulated
Flow Rate:
Foam Percentage:
Water
Pressure
Set At:
Foam System Output
Should Be:
250 GPM
100
0.8%
400 PSI
0.8 Gallons
750 GPM
2.6%
150 PSI
2.6 Gallons
20 GPM 20
0.1%
0.02 Gallons

47. Download this presentation at:
Questions / Comments
Jim Johannessen
Bill Ballantyne
Download this presentation at:

48. And Finally, Remember To Always:
Buckle Up!
Use Foam!
Be Safe!
Thank You!