NATIONAL FOAM

DATA SHEET
#NPR040

Horizontal Bladder TanK

Description
The Bladder Tank Proportioning System is a balanced
pressure proportioning system, requiring no external power
other than an adequate water supply. A bladder tank, with
an appropriate proportioner(s), injects foam concentrate
into the water supply of a fire protection system and
automatically proportions over a wide range of flows and
pressures.
The Bladder Tank Proportioning System employs water
to pressurize the bladder and force foam concentrate to
the ratio controller. The water supply simultaneously feeds
the ratio controller and the bladder tank. As water flows
through the ratio controller the level of pressure reduction
increases, thereby affecting a corresponding pressure
drop across the foam concentrate metering orifice. The
corresponding pressure drop results in foam concentrate
flow that is proportionate to the water flow through the ratio
controller. As both the water and foam concentrate flow into
a common reduced pressure area, it is necessary only to
maintain identical water and foam concentrate pressures
at the respective inlets of the ratio controller.
During operation, the water outside the bladder gradually
displaces the foam concentrate inside causing the bladder
to collapse until the supply is exhausted. The bladder tank
may then be isolated and the system allowed to discharge
water only. Since the bladder tank is pressurized, the
bladder should not be refilled during operation.

Features
Compatible with all foam concentrates
Easier to refill than vertical bladder tanks
Bottom foam concentrate discharge keeps feed piping
full, eliminating air pockets and preventing corrosion
Better stability than vertical tanks in earthquake-prone
areas
Permanently welded lifting lugs

Applications
Frequently used in aircraft hangars, loading racks, sprinkler
systems, and offshore platforms.

Technical Specifications
The National Foam bladder tank system shall be a
complete self-contained proportioning system consisting
of a bladder tank, ratio controller, and assembled piping.
The bladder tank shall be an ASME code welded carbon

www.Kidde-Fire.com

Pre-Piped

steel pressure vessel with a working pressure of 175

psi (12 bar). The tank shall be supplied in the horizontal
configuration and shall be mounted on two permanently
attached saddle supports with holes for mounting bolts. A
flexible, thermoplastic vulcanized rubber internal bladder
separates the foam concentrate from the incoming water.
The tank shall have perforated PVC schedule 80 center
discharge piping, located within the bladder, to ensure that
foam concentrate flows to the bottom discharge. A section
of 1-inch I.D. rubber hose installed between the bladder
and tank shell, shall extend from the water vent to the
water drain connection, preventing bladder obstruction at
these openings.
The ratio controller (RCF) shall be a flanged style for
mounting in Schedule 40 pipe between two 150# flat or
raised flanges of the same nominal size as the RCF. The
RCF shall be cast bronze with stainless steel hardware and
shall be rated for a working pressure of 250 psi (17 bar).
The ratio controller shall incorporate a recovery section to
minimize the pressure loss through the proportioner and
reduce the straight pipe length required after the controller.
A " (6.35 mm) female NPT port for sensing water
pressure at the inlet to the ratio controller water orifice
shall be incorporated into the casting. Each ratio controller
shall automatically proportion over the range indicated
on flow range chart without any manual adjustment. The
foam concentrate inlet shall contain a foam concentrate
metering orifice with field adjustment feature to allow user
to fine tune proportioning.
The ratio controller shall be pre-piped to the bladder tank.
All external piping shall be Schedule 40, and shall be brass
for foam concentrate and carbon steel for water. Brass or
bronze ball valves of the locking handle type, in accordance
with NFPA requirements for valve supervision, shall be
supplied, and shall be complete with identification labels
on the handles. A ball check valve shall be installed in the
foam concentrate line. Tank shall include all necessary
drain and vent valves, concentrate fill piping, fill cup, and
tank content/identification labels. External surfaces of tank
and piping shall be coated with red high solids acrylic
polyurethane finish.

Approvals and Listings

Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL Listed)
Factory Mutual (FM)
United States Coast Guard (USCG) to 500 gal.

Technical Information

Exterior Finish: Red high solids acrylic polyurethane

Materials of Construction:

Working Pressure: 175 psi (12 bar)

Tank: Carbon steel, ASME code

Options

Bladder: Thermoplastic vulcanized rubber

Internal Piping: Perforated PVC, Sch. 80

Sight gauge: 1" (38 mm) O.D. polycarbonate with

bronze ball shut-off valve

External Piping:
Water Side: Carbon Steel, Sch. 40, Screwed
Fm. Conc. Side: Brass, Sch. 40, Screwed

Higher tank working pressures

Valves: Ball valve with locking handle,

bronze body, and brass or chrome
plated brass ball

Special finishes

Fill Funnel: Polyethylene, 7" diameter cup x

1" male NPT spout
Ratio Controller: Cast Bronze (85-5-5-5), ASTMB-584 alloy #83600

CONTRACTOR P.O.C. SEE TABLE 3 FOR

RC CONNECTION
SIZE AND TYPE

Coal tar epoxy internal coating

Pressure relief valve
Type 304 or 316 stainless steel piping - screwed or
welded
Fill kit
Automatic concentrate valve

CONTRACTOR P.O.C. SEE TABLE 3 FOR

RC CONNECTION
SIZE AND TYPE
CONCENTRATE
LEVEL CHECK
LABEL (OPTIONAL)

WATER
FEED

RATIO
CONTROLLER

"M"

SIGHT GLASS
(OPTIONAL)

1A

INSTALLATION
INSTRUCTION LABEL

CAUTION LABEL

"D"
9

A
CL TANK

"J"

"L"

"Q"
"R"

"H"

BLADDER REMOVAL
FLANGE

"P"

"K"

OPERATING
INSTRUCTION LABEL

U.L. & F.M.

LABELS

"G"

"A"

"E"

1" FNPT FOAM

CONCENTRATE
DRAIN/FILL

"C"

"B"

"C"

"B"

"F"
TYP. (8)
PLACES

"S"

SEE
NOTE
#9

11-7/8
9
8

1-3/4
5-1/8

3" THRU 8"

RC ASSEMBLY

2" RC ASSEMBLY

SIGHT GLASS
OPTIONAL

SIGHT
GLASS
OPTIONAL

DETAIL A - A

DETAIL B - B

TABLE 1 - RC DIMENSIONS
Assembly w/
Spool

3" RC
4" RC
6" RC
8" RC

19
25
27
31

4
4-1/4
5-1/4
7

4-1/2
7
9-11/16
10

TANK
SHELL

8-3/4

FILL FUNNEL
4"
TYP.

DETAIL C - C

7-3/4

TO BE SCREWED
INTO VALVE #5
SEE NOTE #9

NPR040

TABLE 2 - VALVE DESCRIPTION

Normal Position

Valve
No.
1
1A

Description

Manual System

Concentrate Shutoff

Auto. System

Closed

Open

---

Closed

Open

Open

Auto. Concentrate Shutoff (Optional)

Water Pressure Shutoff

Tank Water Vent

Closed

Closed

Concentrate Vent/Fill

Closed

Closed

Water Drain/Fill

Closed

Closed

Concentrate Drain/Fill

Closed

Closed

Sight Glass (Optional)

Closed

Closed

Sight Glass Supply (Optional)

Open

Open

TABLE 3 - SUGGESTED RATIO CONTROLLER SIZES FOR SYSTEM FLOWS

Standard Flow Range

gpm (lpm)

Special Flow Range

with AR-AFFF
Foam Concentrate
gpm (lpm)

Water &
Concentrate
Line Sizes
in. (mm)

2 (51)

30-180 (114-681)

60-180 (227-681)

1 (25)

3 (76)

70-450 (265-1703)

170-450 (644-1703)

1-1/4 (32)

4 (102)

150-1200 (568-4542)

320-1200 (1211-4542)

1-1/2 (38)

6 (152)

300-2500 (1136-9463)

700-2500 (2650-9463)

2 (51)

8 (203)

850-5000 (3218-18925)

1400-5000 (5300-18925)

2-1/2 (64)

Ratio Controller
Size
in. (mm)

Ratio Controller
Connections
in. (mm)
Inlet

Outlet

2 (51)
NPT (F)
3 (76)
FF flg.
4 (102)
FF flg.
6 (152)
FF flg.
8 (203)
FF flg.

2 (51)
NPT (F)
3 (76)
FF flg.
4 (102)
FF flg.
6 (152)
FF flg.
8 (203)
FF flg.

Notes:
1.
2.
3.
4.

5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

All dimensions are approximate and may vary slightly.

Weights listed apply to empty tanks.
All tank and valve openings will be plugged for shipping.
Optional sight glass assembly includes:
Polycarbonate sight glass tube, 1 (38) O.D. open to atmosphere
(vented cap)
Ball shutoff valve
Split pipe clamp w/ threaded rod
Fill funnel and optional sight glass tube will be packed and shipped
separately.
Optional sight glass level check cannot be performed with alcohol
type AFFF concentrates. Refer to the operating and maintenance
manual for further instructions.
Contents label will be supplied to customer by NF and applied by
customer to area provided on caution label.
When designing a building to house bladder tanks, provisions must
be to allow for the removal of the internal piping and bladder. These
items are the full length and height of tank.
Concentrate vent valve #5 will also be used to top off the concentrate
level. A fill funnel will be provided with each tank for this purpose.
For non-standard or special tanks, refer to the tanks specific outline
assembly drawing for details.

NPR040

Capacity
gal. (liters)
20 (508)
24 (610)
30 (762)
30 (762)
34 (864)
40 (1016)
40 (1016)
40 (1016)
44 (1118)
44 (1118)
44 (1118)
44 (1118)
44 (1118)
54 (1372)
54 (1372)
54 (1372)
54 (1372)
64 (1626)
64 (1626)
64 (1626)
64 (1626)
64 (1626)
64 (1626)
64 (1626)
64 (1626)
64 (1626)
64 (1626)
64 (1626)
64 (1626)
64 (1626)
64 (1626)
64 (1626)
64 (1626)
64 (1626)
64 (1626)
64 (1626)
64 (1626)
64 (1626)
64 (1626)
64 (1626)
64 (1626)
64 (1626)

A
7 (178)
9 (229)
11 (279)
11 (279)
13 (330)
15 (381)
15 (381)
15 (381)
17 (432)
17 (432)
17 (432)
17 (432)
17 (432)
22 (559)
22 (559)
22 (559)
22 (559)
28 (711)
28 (711)
28 (711)
28 (711)
28 (711)
28 (711)
28 (711)
28 (711)
28 (711)
28 (711)
28 (711)
28 (711)
28 (711)
28 (711)
28 (711)
28 (711)
28 (711)
28 (711)
28 (711)
28 (711)
28 (711)
28 (711)
28 (711)
28 (711)
28 (711)

B
7/8 (22)
7/8 (22)
1-1/8 (29)
1-1/8 (29)
1-1/8 (29)
1-3/8 (35)
1-3/8 (35)
1-3/8 (35)
1-3/8 (35)
1-3/8 (35)
1-3/8 (35)
1-3/8 (35)
1-3/8 (35)
1-3/4 (44)
1-3/4 (44)
1-3/4 (44)
1-3/4 (44)
2-3/4 (70)
2-3/4 (70)
2-3/4 (70)
2-3/4 (70)
2-3/4 (70)
2-3/4 (70)
2-3/4 (70)
2-3/4 (70)
2-3/4 (70)
2-3/4 (70)
2-3/4 (70)
2-3/4 (70)
2-3/4 (70)
2-3/4 (70)
2-3/4 (70)
2-3/4 (70)
2-3/4 (70)
2-3/4 (70)
2-3/4 (70)
2-3/4 (70)
2-3/4 (70)
2-3/4 (70)
2-3/4 (70)
2-3/4 (70)
2-3/4 (70)

C
20 (508)
24 (610)
30 (762)
30 (762)
36 (914)
42 (1067)
42 (1067)
42 (1067)
48 (1219)
48 (1219)
48 (1219)
48 (1219)
48 (1219)
60 (1524)
60 (1524)
60 (1524)
60 (1524)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)

D
3 (76)
3 (76)
4 (102)
4 (102)
4 (102)
5 (127)
5 (127)
5 (127)
5 (127)
5 (127)
5 (127)
5 (127)
5 (127)
6 (152)
6 (152)
6 (152)
6 (152)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)

E
9/16 (14)
9/16 (14)
9/16 (14)
9/16 (14)
9/16 (14)
11/16 (17)
11/16 (17)
11/16 (17)
11/16 (17)
11/16 (17)
11/16 (17)
11/16 (17)
11/16 (17)
11/16 (17)
11/16 (17)
11/16 (17)
11/16 (17)
1-1/16 (27)
1-1/16 (27)
1-1/16 (27)
1-1/16 (27)
1-1/16 (27)
1-1/16 (27)
1-1/16 (27)
1-1/16 (27)
1-1/16 (27)
1-1/16 (27)
1-1/16 (27)
1-1/16 (27)
1-1/16 (27)
1-1/16 (27)
1-1/16 (27)
1-1/16 (27)
1-1/16 (27)
1-1/16 (27)
1-1/16 (27)
1-1/16 (27)
1-1/16 (27)
1-1/16 (27)
1-1/16 (27)
1-1/16 (27)
1-1/16 (27)

F
22 (559)
24 (610)
27 (686)
27 (686)
30 (762)
33 (838)
33 (838)
33 (838)
40 (1016)
40 (1016)
40 (1016)
40 (1016)
40 (1016)
46 (1168)
46 (1168)
46 (1168)
46 (1168)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)

G
51 (1295)
56 (1422)
62 (1575)
62 (1575)
68 (1727)
74 (1880)
74 (1880)
74 (1880)
84 (2134)
84 (2134)
84 (2134)
84 (2134)
84 (2134)
94 (2438)
94 (2438)
94 (2438)
94 (2438)
106 (2692)
106 (2692)
106 (2692)
106 (2692)
106 (2692)
106 (2692)
106 (2692)
106 (2692)
106 (2692)
106 (2692)
106 (2692)
106 (2692)
106 (2692)
106 (2692)
106 (2692)
106 (2692)
106 (2692)
106 (2692)
106 (2692)
106 (2692)
106 (2692)
106 (2692)
106 (2692)
106 (2692)
106 (2692)

14 (356)
22 (559)
36 (914)
34 (864)
36 (914)
50 (1270)
48 (1219)
60 (1524)
50 (1270)
60 (1524)
70 (1778)
94 (2388)
100 (2540)
58 (1473)
60 (1524)
76 (1930)
80 (2032)
44 (1118)
50 (1270)
56 (1422)
60 (1524)
70 (1778)
76 (1930)
80 (2032)
80 (2032)
80 (2032)
100 (2540)
100 (2540)
100 (2540)
100 (2540)
100 (2540)
120 (3048)
120 (3048)
120 (3048)
120 (3048)
120 (3048)
120 (3048)
120 (3048)
120 (3048)
120 (3048)
120 (3048)
120 (3048)

36 (914)
40 (1016)
46 (1168)
46 (1168)
52 (1321)
58 (1473)
58 (1473)
58 (1473)
68 (1727)
68 (1727)
68 (1727)
68 (1727)
68 (1727)
80 (2032)
80 (2032)
80 (2032)
80 (2032)
90 (2286)
90 (2286)
90 (2286)
90 (2286)
90 (2286)
90 (2286)
90 (2286)
90 (2286)
90 (2286)
90 (2286)
90 (2286)
90 (2286)
90 (2286)
90 (2286)
90 (2286)
90 (2286)
90 (2286)
90 (2286)
90 (2286)
90 (2286)
90 (2286)
90 (2286)
90 (2286)
90 (2286)
90 (2286)

55-1/2 (1410)
72 (1129)
71 (1803)
89 (2261)
93 (2362)
93 (2362)
112 (2845)
131 (3327)
119 (3023)
134 (3404)
148 (3759)
163 (4140)
177 (4496)
131 (3327)
141 (3581)
151 (3835)
159 (4039)
125 (3175)
131 (3327)
138 (3505)
144 (3658)
151 (3835)
157 (3988)
164 (4166)
170 (4318)
177 (4496)
183 (4648)
189 (4801)
196 (4978)
202 (5131)
209 (5309)
215 (5461)
222 (5639)
228 (5791)
234 (5944)
241 (6121)
247 (6274)
254 (6452)
260 (6604)
267 (6782)
273 (6934)
280 (7112)

24 (610)
26 (660)
29 (737)
29 (737)
32 (813)
35 (889)
35 (889)
35 (889)
38 (965)
38 (965)
38 (965)
38 (965)
38 (965)
44 (1118)
44 (1118)
44 (1118)
44 (1118)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)
50 (1270)

4 (103)
4 (103)
4 (103)
4 (103)
4 (103)
4 (103)
4 (103)
4 (103)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
6 (152)
6 (152)
6 (152)
6 (152)
6 (152)
6 (152)
6 (152)
6 (152)
6 (152)
6 (152)
6 (152)
6 (152)
6 (152)
6 (152)
6 (152)
6 (152)
6 (152)
6 (152)
6 (152)
6 (152)
6 (152)
6 (152)
6 (152)
6 (152)
6 (152)
6 (152)

TABLE 4 - CAPACITY AND DIMENSIONS CHART

50 (189)
100 (379)
150 (568)
200 (757)
300 (1136)
400 (1514)
500 (1893)
600 (2271)
700 (2650)
800 (3028)
900 (3407)
1000 (3785)
1100 (4164)
1200 (4542)
1300 (4921)
1400 (5300)
1500 (5678)
1600 (6057)
1700 (6435)
1800 (6814)
1900 (7192)
2000 (7571)
2100 (7949)
2200 (8328)
2300 (8706)
2400 (9085)
2500 (9464)
2600 (9842)
2700 (10221)
2800 (10599)
2900 (10978)
3000 (11356)
3100 (11735)
3200 (12113)
3300 (12492)
3400 (12870)
3500 (13249)
3600 (13627)
3700 (14006)
3800 (14385)
3900 (14763)
4000 (15142)
NOTE: All dimensions are in inches (millimeters).

NPR040

Ordering Information
HORIZONTAL BLADDER TANK
Capacity
gal.

liters

Part Number
w/o sight gauge

Part Number
w/ sight gauge

50
100
150
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
1100
1200
1300
1400
1500
1600
1700
1800
1900
2000
2100
2200
2300
2400
2500
2600
2700
2800
2900
3000
3100
3200
3300
3400
3500
3600
3700
3800
3900
4000

189
379
568
757
1136
1514
1893
2271
2650
3028
3407
3785
4164
4542
4921
5299
5678
6056
6435
6813
7192
7570
7949
8327
8706
9084
9464
9841
10221
10598
10978
11355
11735
12112
12492
12870
13249
13627
14006
14385
14763
15142

1218-2124-6
1218-2122-1
1218-2122-2
1218-2122-3
1218-2122-4
1218-2122-5
1218-2122-6
1218-2122-7
1218-2122-8
1218-2122-9
1218-2123-0
1218-2123-1
1218-2123-2
1218-2123-3
1218-2123-4
1218-2123-5
1218-2123-6
1218-2123-7
1218-2137-0
1218-2123-8
1218-2137-1
1218-2123-9
1218-2137-2
1218-2124-0
1218-2137-3
1218-2124-1
1218-2137-4
1218-2124-2
1218-2137-5
1218-2124-3
1218-2137-6
1218-2124-4
1218-2137-7
1218-2124-5
1218-2137-8
1218-2137-9
1218-2138-0
1218-2138-1
1218-2138-2
1218-2138-3
1218-2138-4
1218-2138-5

1218-2127-6
1218-2125-1
1218-2125-2
1218-2125-3
1218-2125-4
1218-2125-5
1218-2125-6
1218-2125-7
1218-2125-8
1218-2125-9
1218-2126-0
1218-2126-1
1218-2126-2
1218-2126-3
1218-2126-4
1218-2126-5
1218-2126-6
1218-2126-7
1218-2135-0
1218-2126-8
1218-2135-1
1218-2126-9
1218-2135-2
1218-2127-0
1218-2135-3
1218-2127-1
1218-2135-4
1218-2127-2
1218-2135-5
1218-2127-3
1218-2135-6
1218-2127-4
1218-2135-7
1218-2127-5
1218-2135-8
1218-2135-9
1218-2136-0
1218-2136-1
1218-2136-2
1218-2136-3
1218-2136-4
1218-2136-5

NPR040

Empty Weight

Approx. Shipping

lb

kg

ft3

m3

560
851
1140
1337
1754
2070
2330
2437
2844
3498
3855
4072
4456
4523
4826
5113
5494
4891
5073
5254
5479
5704
5896
6087
6293
6499
6699
6899
7089
7278
7478
7678
7879
8080
8300
8500
8700
8900
9100
9300
9500
9700

254
386
517
606
796
939
1057
1105
1290
1587
1749
1847
2021
2052
2189
2319
2492
2219
2301
2383
2485
2587
2674
2761
2854
2948
3129
3129
3216
3301
3392
3483
3574
3665
3765
3856
3946
4037
4128
4218
4309
4400

40
79.8
107.7
143.3
183.8
232.1
250.4
286.9
359.3
386.6
444.1
492.5
528.5
555.9
576.5
601.2
650.7
642.8
675
707.4
735.8
772
804.3
836.7
869.1
901.3
933.6
966
998.4
1030.6
1062.9
1095.3
1127.7
1159.9
1192.2
1224.5
1256.8
1289.1
1321.4
1353.7
1386
1418.3

1.14
2.26
3.05
4.06
5.2
6.57
7.09
8.12
10.18
10.95
12.57
13.95
14.97
15.74
16.32
17.02
18.43
18.2
19.11
20.03
20.84
21.86
22.78
23.69
24.61
25.52
26.44
27.35
28.27
29.18
29.08
31.01
31.83
32.85
33.76
34.67
35.59
36.5
37.42
38.33
39.25
40.16

RATIO CONTROLLER and Fill Piping for horizontal Bladder Tank

Weight

Proportioner
Size

Tank Size
(gal.)

Part
Number

lb

kg

2"
2"
3"
3"
4"
4"
6"
6"
8"
8"

50 to 400
500 to 3200
50 to 400
500 to 3200
50 to 400
500 to 3200
50 to 400
500 to 3200
50 to 400
500 to 3200

5000-4000-0
5000-4010-0
5000-4020-0
5000-4030-0
5000-4040-0
5000-4050-0
5000-4060-0
5000-4070-0
5000-4080-0
5000-4090-0

49
49
110
110
147
147
210
210
323
323

22.23
22.23
49.9
49.9
66.68
66.68
95.26
95.26
146.52
146.52

This information is only a general guideline, and each installation may require modifications to meet the applications or requirements of that situation. The
company reserves the right to change any portion of this information without notice. Terms and conditions of sale apply and are available on request.
02/12 (Rev. J) Printed in U.S.A. (NPR040.INDD)

NATIONAL FOAM
P.O. Box 695 Exton, PA 19341-0695 (610) 363-1400 Fax: (610) 524-9073
www.Kidde-Fire.com