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001330

FOAM CONCENTRATES AND

FOAM PRE-MIX SOLUTIONS
Field Inspection Manual

INTRODUCTION
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INTRODUCTION
This manual is designed to serve as a guide to inspection
procedures for ANSUL Foam Concentrates and Pre-mix
Solutions.
As Tyco Fire Protection Products manufactures many types
of foam concentrates, locate the product data sheet for the
specific concentrate to be tested. Product Data Sheets can
be accessed at www.ansul.com.
The designated inspector should be a responsible, experienced person with sound, basic knowledge of fire equipment hardware and extinguishing agents. A thorough
briefing on the procedures to be followed should include the
need for precise execution of each analysis step.
See Field Inspection Record at the end of this manual to
record proportioning results.
Form Part No. 428680, Foam Analysis Request, is for use
in recording the information required when sending in
samples to the Tyco Fire Protection Products Agents
Laboratory. This form also outlines the correct procedure
for submitting samples. Review and complete the form as
thoroughly as possible. This form is included in the Foam
Agent Test Kit, Part No. 428679. It is also available on
www.ansul.com under Foam Products. (Note: There is a
charge for this testing service.)
FReqUeNCy aND aCCURaCy OF TesTs
Tyco Fire Protection Products recommends that proportioning tests be done at system commissioning and every three
(3) years minimum thereafter.
exception: Pre-primed foam-water sprinkler systems
should be flushed, drained and pre-primed with fresh solution annually. During this process correct proportioning
should be verified.
Tyco Fire Protection Products recommends that Standard
Quality Analysis Testing be done annually by the Tyco Fire
Protection Products Agents Laboratory which not only tests
the chemical properties of the sample, but also does lab
scale fire testing to assure the products performance.
Packages of two (2) sample containers with labels can be
purchased under Part No. 428679.
sTORage CONDITIONs
Tyco Fire Protection Products recommends that its concentrates be stored at the temperatures indicated on the
specific product data sheet.
Accelerated aging studies have been conducted with the
concentrate and pre-mix solutions stored at 150 F
(65.5 C) with no adverse effect. However, Underwriters
Laboratory Standard No. 162 requires that the maximum
storage temperature be listed at 120 F (48.9 C).

Storage of concentrates below the minimum temperature

listed on the product data sheets could result in freezing. If
the agent freezes, it should be thawed at or near room
temperature and agitated or stirred to ensure a homogenous mixture. If previous freezing is suspect, agitation will
again ensure a homogenous mixture.
To maximize life of concentrates stored in atmospheric
storage tanks, ANSUL recommends that a 1/4 in. (6 mm)
layer of mineral oil be added to the air-exposed surface of
the concentrate. This is critical for Alcohol Resistant
Concentrates.
RelaTeD INFORmaTION
The following is a list of Technical Bulletins that can be
found at the ANSUL internet home page www.ansul.com.
Technical Bulletin Number 52
(Environmental Impact of ANSULITE AFFF Products)
Technical Bulletin Number 54
(Shelf Life of ANSULITE AFFF Concentrates and Their
Pre-mixed Solutions)
Technical Bulletin Number 55
(Aspirated Versus Nonaspirated AFFF)
Technical Bulletin Number 59
(Acceptable Materials of Construction For Use With
ANSUL Foam Concentrates)
Technical Bulletin Number 60
(Foam and The Environment)
Technical Bulletin Number 64
(Compatibility of AFFF/Alcohol-Resistant AFFF
Concentrates)
ReFRaCTIve INDex vs. CONDUCTIvITy
Tyco Fire Protection Products recommends refractive index
testing instead of conductivity testing in the field because
there is less chance of results being skewed by water
quality or temperature. Also, continuous stirring is required
during conductivity testing to obtain stable results.

FOamsOlUTIONCONCeNTRaTIONDeTeRmINaTION
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FOam sOlUTION CONCeNTRaTION DeTeRmINaTION

ReFRaCTIve INDex OR CONDUCTIvITy
This test is used to determine the percent concentrate of a
foam concentrate in the water being used to generate foam.
It is typically used as a means to determine the accuracy of
the systems proportioning equipment.
This method is based upon comparing foam solution test
sample to pre-measured solutions (Calibration Standard)
that are plotted on a baseline graph of percent concentration versus instrument reading.
A hand-held refractometer is used to measure the refractive
index of the foam solution sample. Scales on refractometers vary, but what is actually being used to determine
concentration is a change in reading from one premeasured solution to another (Calibration Standards
Curve vs. Discharge Samples Reading). The philosophy
applies when using a conductivity meter which is measuring
the changes in the solutions conductivity. (Refer to
Proportioning Test Instruments Data Sheet, F-2007003, for
more detailed information about the specific meters.)
A base curve is prepared by using the following apparatus:
1. Four 100 ml or larger plastic bottles with leak-resistant
screw caps
2. One 10 ml (10 cc) measuring syringe
3. One 100 ml graduated cylinder
4. Four or more eye droppers
5. One Test Meter Model PA 202, 10419, 1500-32
6. Graph paper
7. Ruler or straight edge
Using water and foam concentrate from the system to be
tested, make up three 100 ml calibration standard solutions.
For a 6% concentrate, typically a 4%, 6% and 8% samples;
for a 3% concentrate, typically a 2%, 3% and 4% samples;
and for a 1% concentrate, typically a 0.5%, 1% and 1.5%
samples are made.
Label bottles with percent sample calibration solution that
will be utilized, i.e. 2%, 3% and 4% for a 3% concentrate.
As an example, for the 2% calibration solution sample,
measure 98 ml of system water in the graduate cylinder,
then pour into the bottle labeled 2%. Then with the measuring syringe, transfer 2 ml (2 cc) of the concentrate into the
labeled bottle. Secure the cap on the bottle and shake to
thoroughly mix the solution. Repeat for the 3% calibration
sample (97 ml water and 3 ml concentrate) and for the 4%
calibration sample (96 ml water and 4 ml concentrate).
Increasing sample sizes will increase accuracy relative
to the measurement instrument. After thoroughly mixing
the foam sample, a meter reading is taken of each percentage foam solution sample. It is important that temperatures
between discharge samples and calibration standards have
normalized with temperatures above 50 F (10 C) working
best. Each instrument has specific instructions for its
correct operation.

Using the graph paper, plot the meter reading on the X axis
and the percent concentrate reading on the Y axis. This
plotted curve will serve as the known baseline for the
proportioning test. Meters may have different scales and
the plotted resolution should be as large as possible with
the complete range of the calibration solutions known. The
scale you set must be linear.
Collect foam solution sample(s) from the proportioning
system, using care to ensure that each sample is taken at
an adequate distance downstream from the proportioner
being tested. (Usually any place downstream of the first
change in direction is adequate if samples are taken in the
riser room.) Stabilize a water flow through your discharge
device within the known acceptable range for the proportioner and open the concentrate control valve. Take the
sample about 30 to 60 seconds after foam appears from
the test connection. Take meter readings of the sample(s)
and compare readings to the plotted curve to determine the
percentage for each sample.
Per NFPA 11, Standard for Low-, Medium-, and HighExpansion Foam, acceptable ranges of proportioning
systems are not less than the rated concentration and not
more than 30% above the rated concentration or one
percentage point above the rated concentration, whichever
is less. For example, the acceptable range for a 3%
concentrate is from 3 to 3.9%.
Note: There is some variability dependent on the accuracy
of the meter, the accuracy to which the calibration samples
were made, and if temperatures between calibration standards and discharge samples have not normalized.
Conductivity is especially susceptible to reading fluctuation,
thus the sample should be continuously stirred until a stabilized reading can be estimated. Care should be taken to
not bump the sides or bottom of the sample container or
contaminate the sample with salts or solids, i.e. dirty fingers
while stirring. The conductivity of water stored in or for
systems can vary throughout a discharge which may affect
results. Conductivity should not be used for sea, salt, or
brackish water supplies. Although conductivity can be the
most accurate means of measuring foam solution in clean
water supplies under ideal conditions, the refractive index
method is best for most real world testing.
If discharge samples are sent to the Tyco Fire Protection
Products Test Lab for analysis, they should be packaged
per the instructions with the Test Kit and sent in for immediate processing. Largely dependent on water quality and the
type of concentrate used, foam solutions may start to
biodegrade in a short period of time which can affect results
(possibly as little as three to five days with nutrient-rich
water and detergent-based foam concentrates).
The following graphs are examples of typical refractive
index values for various concentrate pre-mixes. Results
may vary depending on the concentrate pre-mix type, site
water supply, and actual concentrate lot number. Therefore,
it is important that a new calibration curve be developed on
each date a proportioning test is required.

TypICal CalIbRaTION CURve ResUlTs WheN UsINg paRT NO. 405713 haNDhelD ReFRaCTOmeTeR
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006876

NOTes
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NOTes:

FIelD INspeCTION ReCORD

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CUSTOMER/LOCATION: ____________________________________________________________ FILE NO.: ____________
DATE: __________________________________________ TESTED BY: __________________________________________
FOAM CONCENTRATE TYPE / LOT NO.:______________________________________________________________________
METER TYPE:________ CONDUCTIVITY:________ REFRACTOMETER MODEL: __________________________________
CALIBRATION STANDARDS

METER READING

FOAM CONCENTRATE
WATER
PRE-MIX #1
PRE-MIX #2
PRE-MIX #3

PERCENT FOAM SOLUTION

CalIbRaTION CURve

METER READING

SYSTEM DISCHARGE SAMPLE

METER READING

PERCENT FOAM SOLUTION

Part No. 31274-07

Copyright 2011 Tyco Fire Protection0 Products

All rights reserved.

TYCO FIRE PROTECTION PRODUCTS

ONE STANTON STREET
MARINETTE, WI 54143-2542