FM Global

Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets 4-7N

January 2001
Interim Revision January 2017
Page 1 of 3

LOW EXPANSION FOAM SYSTEMS

Table of Contents
Page

1.0 SCOPE ................................................................................................................................................... 2

1.1 Changes .......................................................................................................................................... 2
2.0 FM GLOBAL INTERPRETATION .......................................................................................................... 2
2.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 2
2.1.1 Shall versus Should .............................................................................................................. 2
2.1.2 Authority Having Jurisdiction ................................................................................................. 2
2.1.3 Related NFPA Standards ...................................................................................................... 2
2.1.4 Listed or Approved ................................................................................................................ 2
2.2 Comments and Exceptions ............................................................................................................. 2
3.0 SUPPORT FOR RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................................... 3
3.1 General ............................................................................................................................................ 3
4.0 REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................................... 3
4.1 FM Global ........................................................................................................................................ 3
4.2 NFPA ................................................................................................................................................ 3
APPENDIX A GLOSSARY OF TERMS ......................................................................................................... 3
APPENDIX B DOCUMENT REVISION HISTORY ......................................................................................... 3

©2001-2017 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
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4-7N Low Expansion Foam Systems
Page 2 FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets

1.0 SCOPE
FM Global has accepted and adopted NFPA 11, Standard for Low-Expansion Foam, 1998 Edition. FM Global
comments including differences between the NFPA and FM Global are provided in the FM Global
Interpretation Section.
This data sheet provides general information on foam extinguishing systems including guidelines for their
design, installation, testing and maintenance. FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheet 4-0, Special
Protection Systems, also applies to foam extinguishing systems.

1.1 Changes
January 2017. Interim revision. Minor editorial changes were made.

2.0 FM GLOBAL INTERPRETATION

2.1 Introduction
Design, install, test and maintain foam extinguishing systems in accordance with NFPA 11, Standard for
Low-Expansion Foam, 1998 Edition. In its application , use the following interpretations.

2.1.1 Shall versus Should

In most if not all instances, the widespread use in the text of the mandatory shall, within the NFPA Standard,
can be replaced by the more permissive should. This is in keeping with other FM Global standards.

2.1.2 Authority Having Jurisdiction

There are many references in the NFPA Standard to the term ‘‘authority having jurisdiction.’’ Legally, this
could mean the state fire marshal, the local fire department, or some other state or municipal office. In the
application of this data sheet, the reference is solely to FM Global unless the legal authority takes precedence.

2.1.3 Related NFPA Standards

There may be a number of references to other NFPA standards. In many instances FM Global has a
corresponding Data Sheet. FM Global Data Sheets will generally take precedence.

2.1.4 Listed or Approved

Within the NFPA Standard, Listed means equipment approved by Factory Mutual Research and listed in
the Factory Mutual Research Approval Guide.
Within the NFPA Standard, Approved means acceptable to the Factory Mutual Insurance Company. Factory
Mutual Research Approved equipment should be used whenever possible.

2.2 Comments and Exceptions

The following comments provide FM Global interpretations of specific sections, identified by paragraph
number, of the 1998 Edition of NFPA 11.
1-1 — For more specific design guidance as well as to determine when foam extinguishing systems are
needed, refer to the appropriate FM Global occupancy data sheet, as applicable (e.g., Data Sheet 7-88,
Ignitable Liquid Storage Tanks, and Data Sheet 7-93N, Aircraft Hangars).
2-1.2 — Use Factory Mutual Research Approved combinations of foam concentrates, equipment including
proportioning systems, and discharge devices whenever possible.
2-3.2.1 — If foam extinguishing system protection is recommended per the applicable FM Global occupancy
data sheet (e.g., Data Sheet 7-88, Ignitable Liquid Storage Tanks), make sure sufficient foam concentrate
per these guidelines is immediately available (i.e., connected to the foam-making equipment for all systems,
including nonautomatic or manual only).
2-7.5 — Include all valves associated with properly operating a foam extinguishing system, including foam
proportioning system valves as applicable, on the plant’s fire protection valve list.

©2001-2017 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.

Low Expansion Foam Systems 4-7N
FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets Page 3

3-1 — Refer to Data Sheet 7-88, Ignitable Liquid Storage Tanks, for recommended protection of flammable/
combustible liquid storage tanks.
3-3 — Protect the seal areas of open-top floating roof tanks having diameters over 150 ft (45 m) with a fixed
foam extinguishing system.
4-2 — Submit plans and calculations for foam extinguishing systems to FM Global for review and acceptance
prior to system installation.
8-1.4 — Inspect and physically check control valves on foam producing equipment in accordance with
FM Global recommended practice for fire protection equipment. At least annually test all automatic and
manual-actuating devices.
Consider Appendix material as recommended practice for FM Global purposes.

3.0 SUPPORT FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

3.1 General
Satisfactory performance of a low-expansion foam system can best be assured by following the loss
prevention guidance provided within this document.

4.0 REFERENCES

4.1 FM Global
Data Sheet 4-0, Special Protection Systems.
Data Sheet 7-88, Ignitable Liquid Storage Tanks.
Data Sheet 7-93N, Aircraft Hangars.

4.2 NFPA
NFPA 11, Standard for Low-Expansion Foam, 1998 Edition.

APPENDIX A GLOSSARY OF TERMS

FM Approved:The term ″FM Approved″ is used to describe a product or service that has satisfied the criteria
for Approval by FM Approvals. Refer to the Approval Guide for a complete list of products and services that
are FM Approved.

APPENDIX B DOCUMENT REVISION HISTORY

January 2017. Interim revision. Minor editorial changes were made.
September 2010. Minor editorial changes were made for this revision.
January 2001. This data sheet technically supersedes the November 1994 edition of Data Sheet 4-7N which
was editorially revised/reformatted in September, 1998. The previous version of this data sheet was based
on the 1994 Edition of NFPA 11.
The 1998 Edition of NFPA 11 was revised to include requirements for foam systems for marine applications
(Chapter 6) and to provide guidance relating to the environmental impact of foam system discharges
(Appendix E). This data sheet is now a separate document to be used with the 1998 Edition of NFPA 11.

©2001-2017 Factory Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.