BULLETIN #1011

TECHNICAL BULLETIN
Foam Systems
Discharge Test Check List
INTRODUCTION

The following check list provides guidance to ensure that

the filling and testing of your SOLBERG foam system
eliminates any delays or additional expenses (that may be
associated with the foam system discharge/commissioning
test), as well as, accomplishing these steps in a safe,
economic and expedient manor.

If the system utilizes a variable range proportioner does

the equivalent feet of pipe between the bladder tank
and proportioner exceed 35 feet (10m)?

Foam solution piping has been thoroughly flushed and

cleaned of all dirt and debris?

Hydraulic calculations have verified a maximum

2 p.s.i. (0.14 bar) pressure differential between the
water inlet pressure and the foam concentrate inlet
pressure at the ratio controller?

A drain or other suitable means of removing water and

foam/water solution from the foam equipment room
must be provided.

Manual control valves, check valves and automated

valves (if provided or required) must be installed in
their proper locations. A manual valve with visual
position indicator MUST be installed in the foam
concentrate piping as close to each foam concentrate
tank connection point as possible. A check valve
MUST be installed in the foam concentrate supply
pipe near each ratio controller (proportioner).

All components (check valves, proportioners and

strainers) sensitive to flow direction must be installed
in the piping system in the proper position.

PRIOR TO INSTALLATION:
Be certain that all foam concentrate proportioning
equipment to be installed matches the project
specifications and your purchase order. In the event
there are discrepancies, contact Solberg immediately.
Check the tank capacity(s), equipment type and size
along with the electrical operating voltages of the
equipment, if applicable.

SYSTEM DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

DURING INSTALLATION:

Is the ratio controller mounted at the same elevation

as the top flange of the bladder tank?

Is there a minimum of 5 pipe diameters of straight

unobstructed pipe on the inlet and outlet to each
ratio controller?

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and custom-designed foam suppression systems hardware, offering both traditional and
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FOAM DISCHARGE TEST CHECK LIST | 2

ABSOLUTELY NO INTERNALLY
GALVANIZED OR INTERNALLY
COATED PIPE MAY BE USED FOR
FOAM CONCENTRATE SERVICE.

Note: NFPA 11 (Standard for Low, Medium, and High

Expansion Foam) specifically prohibits galvanized
piping for foam concentrate service. It is acceptable
to use galvanized or coated pipe for distribution of the
foam/water solution only.

test criteria are specific to a particular installation. Test

criteria are normally established by the AHJ or in some
cases are defined in the Contract Documents / Project
Specifications.

A firm date and time for the tests must be set at this
time. Solberg does not always set the system test
parameters; this is usually under the control of the AHJ.

A practical arrangement for foam solution distribution

or disposal must be made. This is normally the
responsibility of the Installing Contractor or the
End-User. Discharged foam/water solution can
be channelled to a Waste Water Treatment Plant
or to an Environmental Waste Disposal Company.
Check with the local Waste Water Treatment Plant to
determine if they can (or will) accept the foam solution
discharge. Consult www.solbergfoam.com (Technical
Documentation) if additional copies of the MSDS
(Material Safety Data Sheet) for the foam concentrate
utilized are required.

If the foam system requires water-pumping equipment

to perform properly, this equipment must be functioning
properly prior to the day of the foam system test.
Arrangements (with others) to test the water supply
(if necessary) must therefore be made in advance of
the foam system test.

A power supply of 120 vac/1phase/60 Hz with GFI

protection (other voltages for locations outside the U.S.
may be required) must be available during the day(s) of
the tank fill and test. In some cases air driven fill pumps
are used, but the power sources; electricity or air, must
be readily available to drive the foam concentrate fill
pump.

For Pump Skid type systems only, proper three (3)

phase electrical power, in accordance with NFPA 20
(Standard for the Installation of Stationary Fire Pumps)
must be connected to the foam concentrate pump
motor controller(s).

All piping must be adequately supported at the

connection points to foam concentrate tank(s).
This is particularly important for polyethylene foam
concentrate (i.e. atmospheric) storage tanks.

PRIOR TO SCHEDULING DISCHARGE TEST:

Arrangements must be made in advance of the day

scheduled for the test of the foam system. Failure to
comply with this requirement will result in additional
costs.

The foam solution flow for each foam system must fall
within the minimum and maximum foam solution flow
ranges supported by the ratio controller (proportioner)
in the foam system supply pipe or riser. In most cases,
attempting to achieve success by flowing foam solution
from a inch (13mm) inspectors test connection or
other small discharge outlet will not allow sufficient flow
for the proportioning equipment to function properly. If
the foam system cannot be discharged into the hazard
area, a special test header may have to be fabricated to
properly discharge the required flow. If a test header is
required, it must be installed and functional prior to the
test date.

The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) [i.e. fire

marshal, insurance underwriter, code official, etc.]
must be contacted to discuss the details of the tests
that they require for acceptance testing. Acceptance

FOAM DISCHARGE TEST CHECK LIST | 3

If the foam concentrate pump is diesel driven, make

sure enough diesel fuel is provided for the testing of the
complete foam system.

Wet dry shop vacuum, minimum 3 hp.

Pitot tube.

Filling of the foam concentrate tank will require

several hours for equipment setup and actual fill.
This process should not be interrupted once it has
begun. Appropriate

Assure appropriate material moving (fork lift, man lift,

pallet jack) equipment is onsite and operational.

Assure necessary extension cord(s), hand tools, step

ladder(s) are onsite.

Scheduling and timing must be accomplished prior

to the day the tank is to be filled.

Test manifold with necessary number of hose outlets,

or discharge sample port.

Verify water supply available.

Verify electrical contractor furnished (if applicable).

Necessary sections of fire hose(s) with the required

number of hose monster(s) are onsite.

All personnel required to witness the foam system test

should be contacted and reminded of the scheduled
date and time of the discharge test.

DIAPHRAGM (BLADDER) TANK SYSTEM ONLY:

Depending on the filling method used, a vacuum
cleaner, compressor, nitrogen or dry air may be
required during the day of the tank fill.

PUMP SKID TYPE SYSTEMS ONLY: Ensure that the

electric power supply to the foam concentrate pump
motor controller(s) is available and functioning properly.

PUMP SKID TYPE SYSTEMS (WITH DIESEL

POWERED FOAM CONCENTRATE PUMP) ONLY:
The diesel fuel tank must be filled with diesel fuel and
all fluid levels (water and oil) must be checked and
serviced as necessary. The batteries must have a full
charge and in a ready to run condition.

The diesel pump controller will charge the batteries

if connected to an appropriate power supply with
adequate time prior to the system fill and test day.

DAY OF TEST:

In order for discharge tests to run smoothly and without

unnecessary delays it is important to have a clear
understanding of what will be required. The test
requirements are specific to a particular installation
and are generally established by the AHJ (fire marshal,
insurance underwriter, code official, etc.) or contract
documents.
Solberg will require the contractor to provide the
following equipment and/or services necessary for
conducting the discharge test:
A water supply with a garden hose connection must
be available in the immediate vicinity of the foam
concentrate tank to facilitate tank fill and/or equipment
clean up.

Foam concentrate containers must be placed within the

vicinity of the foam concentrate storage tank(s).

Arrangements must be made for disposal of empty

foam concentrate containers. Solberg is not responsible
for remove these containers from the premises.

FAILURE TO ACCOMPLISH THE

APPROPRIATE ITEMS INDICATED WITHIN
THIS CHECKLIST PRIOR TO THE TIME
OF THE SYSTEM FILL & TEST DATE
COULD RESULT IN A DELAY. LENGTHY
DELAYS AND/OR RESCHEDULING COULD
RESULT IN ADDITIONAL CHARGES
BEING IMPOSED BY SOLBERG.

FOAM DISCHARGE TEST CHECK LIST | 4

solbergfoam.com
TECHNICAL BULLETIN TB-1011 | nov 2012
Copyright 2012
SOLBERG is a TRADEMARK of TheSOLBERGCompany or its affiliates.

Americas
The Solberg Company
1520 Brookfield Avenue
Green Bay, WI 54313
USA
Tel: +1 920 593 9445

EME A
Solberg Scandinavian AS
Radyvegen 721 - Olsvollstranda
N-5938 Sbvgen
Norway
Tel: +47 56 34 97 00

Asia-Pacific
Solberg Asia Pacific Pty Ltd
3 Charles Street
St Marys NSW 2760
Australia
Tel: +61 2 9673 5300