HEGEL Fire Fighting Foam Concentrate Testing Services

Under normal circumstances and satisfactory storage conditions, foam concentrates manufactured by reputable companies should maintain their quality for years. However, no matter how good the foam concentrate, deterioration can take place in many ways, and it is therefore recommended to monitor the quality. Summarized below are some of the causes of degradation of the foam concentrate:

Dilution or evaporation.
Topping off with inferior or incompatible products.
Excessively high or low storage temperatures.
Unsuitable storage conditions.

Regular Sampling and Evaluation Can Detect:

Deterioration of the foam concentrate.
Accumulation of sediment in low areas which could cause proportioning problems when the system is activated. NFPA-11 recommends that all foam systems shall be thoroughly inspected and checked for proper operation annually. The inspection shall include performance evaluation of the foam concentrate or premix solution quality.

Laboratory Analysis

An unbiased analysis of the foam samples provided for the user’s consideration. The recommended method for evaluating the condition of foam concentrate is to complete the tests listed below. These are part of the Lab Analysis:

Specific Gravity
pH Value
Sediment
Expansion Ratio
Quarter Drainage

Additional Test : Fire Tests

The fire tests are based on UL-162 standard tests and are performed using specially designed fire modelling laboratory test equipment to provide information on a foam concentrate’s ability to perform its designated function.

Procedures for Taking Samples

Samples taken from the installation should be representative of the foam concentrates stored so that an accurate evaluation can be made.

If possible, circulate the system back to the storage tank for the appropriate time to ensure a uniform sample. If circulation is not possible for any reason, then take samples from the following:

a) Top of the tank

b) Middle of the tank

c) Bottom of the tank

If it is not possible to take three samples, due to the construction of the vessel or other reason, then take one sample from the top of the tank and a second sample from the bottom.

If it is only possible to take one sample from a storage vessel which has not been circulated, it should be understood that this may not be truly representative of the complete contents of the storage tank.

Note: When using drain-off points, ensure that sufficient fluid is allowed to flush through the pipework to clear any accumulation of sludge, and provide a representative sample.

The sample must be at least 500 ml (approximately 1 pint) in volume and shipped in a clean, tightly sealed container made of polyethylene.

Sample containers must be packaged to avoid damage during shipment. The container label (do not use gummed labels) or container must be marked with a waterproof pen showing the following information: