Big Water

Facilitating Change
• People would rather live with a problem they
cannot solve, than embrace a solution or
concept they do not understand

• Therefore, the key to change

is through education

• Our goal - to educate

• Knowledge is the antidote

to fear (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
2
 Program Overview

• Concentrate considerations
• Proportioning accuracy
• Proportioning technology
• Designing a system

3
Concentrate Considerations
1%x3%, 3%x3% or 3%x6%
Cost Per Gallon Of Concentrate Is…

Cost Per Gallon Of Concentrate

(Estimate for comparison purposes)
$40
+ 50% vs. 3x6% + 20% vs. 3x3%
$30
$30
$20 $25
$20
$10
$0
3x6% 3x3% 1x3%

5
 …But, 100 Gallons Of
Foam Solution Is…
Cost Per 100 Gallons Of Foam Solution -
Hydrocarbon
$80
- 50% vs. 3x6%
$60 $75
$60 - 60% vs. 3x3%
$40
$20 $30
$0
3x6% 3x3% 1x3%

6
 …And, 100 Gallons Of
Foam Solution Is:
Cost Per 100 Gallons Of Foam Solution -
Polar Solvents
$150
- 25% vs. 3x6% + 20% vs. 3x3%

$100 $120
$90
$50 $75

$0
3x6% 3x3% 1x3%

7
 Benefits Of Lower Ratios
• Cost
– Solution for hydrocarbon typically less
– Solution for polar solvent less or comparable
• Shipping, storage and handling
– Significant logistics improvement
– Added protection from given foam storage capacity
• Performance
– Increased flow capabilities from given proportioner
size

8
 What To Consider - Concentrates
• Which concentrate to utilize
1%x3%, 3%x3%, or 3%x6%
– Your application – hydrocarbon or polar solvent
– Cost of solution vs. concentrate
– Mutual aid
– Proportioning system requirements
– Logistics

9
Proportioning Accuracy
What Is Good Enough?
 NFPA Accuracy Requirements
• For proportioning rates equal or greater than 1%:
– - 0% to + 30% or 1 percentage point, whichever is less
• For proportioning rates less than 1%:
– - 0% to + 40%
Ratio Allowable Range
6%
6% 6.0 - 7.0%

3% 3.0 - 3.9%
3%
1% 1.0 - 1.3%

Lean Rich 0.5% 0.5 - 0.7%

1%
0.2% 0.2 - 0.28%
- +
30% 20% 10% 10% 20% 30% 40%
11
 What Is The Cost Of Inaccuracy?
• Let’s assume:
– $20 per gallon for concentrate
– 10,000 gallons per minute flow rate
– 3% proportioning rate
– 10% inaccuracy rate

12
 The Cost Of Inaccuracy Becomes:
• The logistics of wasted foam:
– 30 extra gallons per minute
– 1,800 extra gallons per hour
– 18,000 extra gallons per 10 hours
• The cost of wasted foam:
– $600 per minute!
– $36,000 per hour!
– $360,000 per 10 hours!

13
 Let’s Look At BIG Water
• Now assume:
– $20 per gallon for concentrate
– 20,000 gallons per minute flow rate
– 3% proportioning rate
– 30% inaccuracy rate

14
 Now, The Cost Of Inaccuracy
Becomes…
• The logistics of wasted foam:
– 180 extra gallons per minute
– 10,800 extra gallons per hour
– 108,000 extra gallons per 10 hours
• The cost of wasted foam:
– $3,600 per minute!
– $216,000 per hour!
– $2,160,000 per 10 hours!

15
What To Consider – Proportioning
Accuracy

• Logistics
• Cost
• Safety
• NFPA is a minimum & voluntary
standard
• Establish your own standard

16
Proportioning Technology
Can We Handle The 1x3’s?
 Why Clubs And Racquets With
Larger Heads?

A bigger sweet spot

18
 The Proportioning Sweet Spot
• The range in which the proportioner can
deliver acceptable performance
– Flow range
– Pressure range
– Proportioning rates
– Foam viscosity
– Desired accuracy
• Every proportioner has a sweet spot
– Size varies by type of system

19
 Foam Proportioners

• Manual systems

• Automatic systems

20
Manual Foam Proportioners
• Eductors
• Around the pump systems
• Self-educting nozzles
Eductor Systems
 In-Line Eductors

200 psi 130 psi

Inlet Eductor Outlet

Check Valve
Metering Valve
Water
Pump Foam
Concentrate

23
By-Pass Eductor

Shut-Off
Closed
200 psi 130 psi

Check valve
Water
Pump Metering valve

Foam
Concentrate

24
 Eductors
• Capabilities:
– Operate over narrow range of flows and pressures
• Limitations:
– 35% pressure loss
– Sensitive to pressure changes downstream
– Must match flow and nozzle
– Nozzle height limited to ten feet
– Narrow sweet spot (single flow and pressure point)

25
125 gpm Eductor Cutaway

26
 Must Match Flow, Eductor & Nozzle

125 gpm eductor

125 gpm nozzle

27
Eductor - Correct Pressure & Flow
20" of Vacuum

130 psi Outlet 200 psi Inlet

Performance reduction of 35% creates required vacuum

28
 Eductor - Incorrect Pressure & Flow
12" of Vacuum

140 psi Outlet 200 psi Inlet

Longer hose lay, increased elevation or nozzle restriction reduces vacuum

29
Eductor - Incorrect Pressure & Flow
No Vacuum

150 psi Outlet 200 psi Inlet

Increasing restriction even more on outlet side can eliminate vacuum

30
Around The Pump Systems
Around The Pump Proportioner

Max. 10 psi. Foam solution from all discharges

Incoming Pressure
Shut off
Water
Valve
Eductor Pump

Shut off Valve

Foam
Check Valve
Concentrate
Metering Valve

32
 Around The Pump Proportioner

• Capabilities:
– Foam solution available to all discharges
• Limitations:
– Maximum incoming pump pressure of 5 to 10 psi
– Average operating foam proportioning error of 1 to
1-1/2 percentage points
– Pump solely dedicated to foam operation
– Narrow sweet spot

33
 Around The Pump Eductor
From pump Foam concentrate
discharge

Eductor

To pump
suction

34
Around The Pump

35
 Around The Pump

Class A foam control Class B foam control

36
 Around The Pump

Incoming pressure
less than 12 psi

When flow stops,

immediately turn
metering valve off

37
Self-Educting Nozzles
Self-Educting Nozzles

Monitor

Metering Valve

Control Valve
Foam
Tank

Water
Pump

39
 Self-Educting Nozzles
• Capabilities:
– Large flows at 1%, 3% or 6%
– Lower pressure drop than regular eductors, 10% or
less
– Increased stream reach
– Flexibility in use, not a fixed system
• Limitations:
– Narrow sweet spot

40
Self Educting Nozzle

Foam percentage selection

41
Automatic Foam Proportioners
• Balanced pressure systems
• Electronic direct injection systems
Balanced Pressure Pump Systems
Balanced Pressure Pump Proportioners

Foam
Tank
o Concentrate
r Pump
Pilot-Operated Metering Valve
Balance Valve
Check Check Valve
Valve

Modified Venturi
Water or Ratio Controller
Pump (one per discharge)

44
Balanced Pressure Pump Proportioners

• Capabilities:
– Foam concentrate flow to over 300 GPM
– Plumbed discharges capable of foam or water
– Ability to vary foam concentrate % rates by discharge
• Limitations:
– Water flow limits
– Discharge pressure restriction
– Low flow and low percentage operation
– Medium sweet spot

45
 Metering Valve

ADJUSTING
CONCENTRATE
KNOB
FLOW

POINTER
PLUG
STEM

TO
DISCHARGE
PROPORTIONER

46
Balanced Pressure Pump System
Metering/Shut-Off Valve

47
 Ratio Controller

CONCENTRATE
INLET LOW PRESSURE AREA

SOLUTION FLOW
WATER FLOW
RECOVERY AREA

BLENDING AREA

48
 2” Modified Venturi Cut-Away

Foam capabilities of 60
to 200 GPM

Water flow and pressure restrictions

49
 Balanced Pressure Pump System
Parts Cut-Away
Metering/Shut-off valve sets amount of
foam concentrate entering the system by
percentage selected

Ratio Controller (venturi) creates a pressure drop

allowing the foam concentrate to be pumped into the
water way
50
 Balanced Pressure Pump System
Panel Controls

Duplex Pressure
Gauge

51
Balanced Pressure Pump System
Plumbing
Crowded pump compartment

Modified venturi or ratio flow

controller (one required per
discharge)

52
 Balanced Pressure Accuracy Test

Balanced Pressure Accuracy Test

125 gpm @ 125 psi
18

16
Concentrate Flow - GPM

14
Actual Injection Rate
12
10
Recalibrated
8

6 NFPA Upper Limit

4

2
Desired Injection Rate
0
1% 2% 3%
Proportioning Rate - %

53
Balanced Pressure Pump System
Capabilities
FOAM SYSTEM OPERATING PARAMETERS

FOAM CONCENTRATE TYPES(S): CLASS A OR CLASS B

SYSTEM OPERATING PRESSURE RANGE: 75-200 PSI
DO NOT EXCEED 200 PSI OPERATING PRESSURE
SYSTEM PROPORTIONING AND FLOW RATES:
NOMINAL RATE SOLUTION FLOW RATE (GPM)
PROPORTIONER
SIZE
0.3 - 1% 3% 6%

2 60-200 60-200 60-200

2.5 80-320 80-320 80-250

3 150-625 150-500

4 300-1250

54
Electronic Direct Injection
 AccuMax
Electronic Direct Injection
• Single Point Direct Injection
• Multi-Point Direct Injection
AccuMax Single Point Systems
Direct Injection
AccuMax Single Point Injection
Digital Display Control
Foam
Tank
Line Strainer

Water
Tank
Check
Valves

Flowmeter
Water Multiple
Pump Discharges

58
 AccuMax
Multi-Point Direct Injection
• Microprocessor Control
– On-demand multi-point foam
injection at each discharge
– Unmatched accuracy across full
performance range
• Edwards Rotary Gear Pumps
– 40, 60, 90, 120, 150 & 300 GPM
Models
– All bronze construction
• Use Multiple Foam Sources
– Foam tank or outboard pickup

59
AccuMax Multi-Point Direct
Injection Proportioner

60
 Electronic Direct Injection
• Capabilities
– Extremely accurate
– No flow or pressure restriction
– Indifferent to changes in flows and pressures
– Easy to operate
– Re-supply foam without interruption
– Commences operation immediately
– Test system without injecting foam into water
– Broad sweet spot

61
 How Accurate Is FoamPro?

FoamPro AccuMax 3060 Single Point Accuracy

1000 gpm @ 200 psi
80.0

70.0
Concentrate Flow - GPM

60.0
NFPA Upper Limit
50.0

40.0

30.0
Actual Injection Rate
20.0
Desired Injection Rate
10.0

0.0
0.5 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0
Proportioning Rate - %

62
 Flow Comparison
Balance Pressure & Electronic Direct Injection

Pipe Flow Range

Size Bal. Press. Electronic Direct Injection
(Max Acc) (Max Rng)

2" 60 - 200 15 - 520 5 - 625

2-1/2" 80 - 320 20 - 750 8 - 900

3" 150 - 625 30 - 1,150 12 - 1,380

4" 300 - 1,250 55 - 1,980 20 - 2,380

No restriction permits maximum flow

63
 FoamPro Benefits
• Unsurpassed features
– Design incorporates recommendations from fire fighters
worldwide
• Superior performance
– Combining innovative FoamPro patented microprocessor
and controls with rugged Hypro and Edwards pumps
• Unmatched accuracy
– Most accurate proportioner on the market
– Widest range of performance
– Improved accuracy translates to:
– Reduction in foam concentrate cost
– Improved logistics operation for foam re-supply

64
 FoamPro Benefits (cont.)
• Ease of use
– Easiest proportioner in the industry to use
– Push of the button and system is activated
– Automatically monitors water flow and injects the precise
amount of foam concentrate
• Information available to operator
– Flow in GPM
– Total amount of foam solution or water flow
– Foam injection percentage
– Total foam concentrate pumped
– Indicates when exceeding foam injection rate
65
 FoamPro Benefits (cont.)
• Service testing
– Test without injecting foam concentrate into water
– Cost and environmental benefit
– Pump concentrate to foam tank or outboard for
measuring
• System reliability
– All FoamPro designs are SAE tested for:
– Low temperature storage and operation
– High temperature storage and operation
– Thermal shock from low to high temperature
– Humidity, corrosion, chemical & steam cleaning test
– Shock and vibration test for accelerated vehicle life
of 5 years/ 50,000 miles
66
 FoamPro Benefits (cont.)
• Foam system installation
– Easily installed in new or existing apparatus
– Technical and engineering assistance direct from
FoamPro
• Experience
– Average fire industry experience of FoamPro personnel
is over 20 years!
• Built for present, designed for the future
– Today’s 3% foam concentrates will soon be replaced by
1%
– Precise injection of foam concentrates from 0.1% to
10%
– Accurate proportioning of all foam concentrates, even
today’s high viscosity foams
67
 AccuMax Multi-Point Options

• Low Flow
• Manual Override
• Pressure Readout at Each Discharge
• High Pressure Injection (300 PSI)
• Hydraulic Pump Configurations

68
 Edwards Rotary Gear Pump
• AccuMax Series pump
– Rugged Edwards Manufacturing rotary gear pumps
– Capable of pumping the highest viscosities
– Unique timing gear drive
– All bronze construction
– May be plumbed for foam
transfer or off-board pick-up

69
 AccuMax Single Point Injection
Models 3020 and 3040 – Manual CMS

Foam Tank Foam Tank

B A

70
 AccuMax Single Point Injection
Models 3020 and 3040 – Electronic CMS

Foam Tank Foam Tank

B A

71
 AccuMax Single-Point
Direct Injection Operation

• Commences operation with

the push of the RED button.

72
Digital Display Information

Water flow Total Gallons

in (gpm) of water
flowed

Foam Total foam

concentrate concentrate
injection injected
percentage

73
Low Foam Display Information
• “Lo.Con” display
– Selected foam concentrate tank is
getting low
– If foam concentrate isn’t added within 2
minutes, “no.Con” is displayed

• “no.Con” display
– Foam concentrate pump turns off
– Add foam concentrate

74
Exceeding Foam Injection Rate

• “HI.FLO” display
– Occurs when the water flow
exceeds the foam pump
capabilities of meeting chosen
concentrate injection percentage

75
 AccuMax Multi-Point
Direct Injection Operation
• Master Control
– Provides total system
control and performance
information
– Advanced self-diagnostics
• Individual Line Control
– Each allows plain water or
choice of injection
percentage
– Displays line performance
along with water & foam
totals
• Digital Displays
– Simple push button control
– Ultra-bright LED readout

76
 AccuMax Multi-Point Systems
• Superior Performance
– No flow restrictions
– Not affected by external
factors
• Calibration And Testing
– Easy, fast, reuse the foam
• Applications Include:
– Industrial Apparatus,
Marine

77
 What To Consider-Proportioners

• Required range of flows and pressures

• Proportioning percentage rates
• Foam capable discharges
• Foam viscosity
• Allowable pressure drop
• Operating conditions
– Hose length, elevations, etc.
• Accuracy requirements

78
Designing A FoamPro System
 What Are Water/Foam Flow
Requirements?
• What discharges require foam solution?
• What percentage concentrate is used?
• What are min. & max. GPM requirements of solution?
– Properly size proportioner, main waterway check valve
and flowmeter
• Is foam control required at each outlet?
– If not, AccuMax single point injection
– If required, AccuMax multi-point injection

80
 Class B Example
• Flow requirements
– Maximum: One deck gun 5000 gpm
– Minimum: One 2-1/2” 250 gpm
• Concentrate level requirements
– Maximum 3.0%
• Calculate concentrate requirements
– Maximum: 5000 gpm x 3.0% = 150 gpm
– Minimum: 250 gpm x 3.0% = 7.5 gpm
• Choose pump and flowmeter from charts

81
Sizing The AccuMax Series Pump

Injection Gallons per Minute Water

Rate 1,500 2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,000 4,500 5,000
1.0% 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
3.0% 45 60 75 90 105 120 135 150
6.0% 90 120 150 180 210 240 270 300
Gallons per minute of foam concentrate required

82
 Sizing AccuMax Pump
Concentrate Pump Flow
40 GPM 60 GPM 90 GPM 120 GPM 150 GPM 300 GPM
Foam Foam Solution Flow
Percentage GPM (l/min.)

1% 4,000 6,000 9,000 12,000 15,000 30,000

(15,140) (22,700) (34,065) (45,420) (56,775) (113,550)

3% 1,333 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 10,000

(5046) (7571) (11,355) (15,140) (18,925) (38,750)

6% 666 1,000 1,500 2,000 2,500 5,000

(1261) (3785) (5677) (7570) (9463) (18,925)

83
 The FoamPro Product Line

Model Concentrate Capacity Max. Operating

Pressure
3020 4.0-20.0 gpm 250 psi
3040 4.0-40.0 gpm 250 psi
3060 4.0-60.0 gpm 250 psi
3150 6.0-150.0 gpm 250 psi
3300 10.0-300.0 gpm 250 psi

(Note: Dual pump option is available for flows required below minimum listed)

84
 Determine Flowmeter Requirements
Size Max Accuracy Max Operating
Tee Flow Range Flow Range
1-1/2x1" 5 - 110 gpm 3 - 145 gpm
1-1/2" 10 - 320 gpm 3 - 380 gpm
2" 15 - 520 gpm 5 - 625 gpm
2-1/2" 20 - 750 gpm 8 - 900 gpm
3" 30 - 1150 gpm 12 -1380 gpm
4" 55 - 1980 gpm 20 - 2380 gpm
6" ** 70 - 2800 gpm 30 - 3300 gpm
8" ** 120 - 4800 gpm 50 - 5600 gpm
** Electromagnetic flowmeter
No Flow Restrictions
85
AccuMax Multi-Point Line Controller
& Flowmeter Sizing
Water Treatable Water Flow
Discharge Injection Foam Flowmeter based on water flowmeter range and foam capacity
Size Line Size Capacity Range 1% 3% 6%

1-1/2" 1/2" 3 - 26 3-380 300-380 100-380 50-380

1-1/2" 1/2" EXT 1-26 3-380 100-380 33-380 17-380

1-1/2" 3/4" 6 - 60 3-380 N/A 200-380 100-380

2" 3/4" 6 - 60 5-625 600-625 200-625 100-625

2-1/2" 3/4" 6 - 60 8-900 600-900 200-900 100-900

1-1/2" 1" EXT 1.8-60 3-380 180-380 60-380 30-380

2" 1" EXT 1.8-60 5-625 180-625 60-625 30-625

2-1/2" 1" EXT 1.8-60 8-900 180-900 60-900 30-900

86
AccuMax Multi-Point Line Controller
& Flowmeter Sizing
Water Treatable Water Flow
Discharge Injection Foam Flowmeter based on water flowmeter range and foam capacity
Size Line Size Capacity Range 1% 3% 6%
3" 1-1/4" 10-100 12-1380 1000-1380 333-1380 167-1380

4" 1-1/4" 10-100 20-2380 1000-2380 333-2380 167-1667

4" 1-1/2" 16-150 135-2800 1600-2380 533-2380 267-1667

6" 1-1/2" 16-150 135-2800 1600-2800 533-2800 267-2500

8" 1-1/2" 16-150 235-5000 1600-5000 533-5000 267-2500

10" 1-1/2" 16-150 375-8100 1600-8100 533-5000 375-2500

4" 2" 24-300 20-2380 N/A 800-2380 400-2380

6" 2" 24-300 135-2800 2400-2800 800-2800 400-2800

8" 2" 24-300 235-5000 2400-5000 800-5000 400-5000

10" 2" 24-300 375-8100 2400-8100 800-8100 400-8100

87
 FoamPro AccuMax
Single Point & Multi-Point
• Ideal applications:
– Industrial
– Municipal Pumpers
– Airport Rescue
– Aerial Apparatus
– Dual Foam Systems
(Class A and Class B)
– Compressed Air Foam
Systems
• Treats up to:
– 10,000 gpm @ 3.0%
– 5000 gpm @ 6.0%

88
 Some Friendly Advice
• Define your needs
– Immediate
– Life of the vehicle

• Thoroughly check out all of the systems

being considered
– What the system will and will not do
– Check with those who have experience
– Consult with more than one reliable source

89
A “Solution” For
Every Application

90