Storage & Shelf life of

foams agents
www.sabofoam.com

Shelf life is a term used to describe the length of time over which a foam concentrate is stable and usable without a
significant change in its performance characteristics. The shelf life depends essentially upon the composition, the
ambient temperature range encountered, and the container materials of construction.

In the case of conventional AFFF concentrates (6%, 3%, or 1%) and AFFF-AR concentrates (3x3, 3x6, 6x6) suitable
for polar solvents, the solids content (active surfactant content) is generally low compared with protein based foam
agents and therefore much less likely to undergo stratification, sedimentation, or precipitation. Since the chemical
surfactants are all synthetic as opposed to naturally occurring (protein foam), natural degradation of the concentrates
does not occur.

A significant factor affecting foam shelf life is the ambient temperature range encountered. All our foam concentrates
are listed by approval testing agencies such as Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. ,European Standard EN 1568 ,IMO
standard…. Those listings also involve determining the usable temperature range for the concentrate.
SABO FOAM range offer a large variety of freeze protected foam concentrates comprised from just -3°C ( +26° F) up
to -20°C (-4°F) in order to fulfill user requiremen t and specifications.
The normal usable temperature range for our SABO FOAM range (HYDRAL, PLUREX, FOAMIN, APIROL, UNIVEX,
HYDREX) is comprised within a maximum of +60°C (140 °F) (Please check the Physical properties section o n our
data sheets).
The usable/recommended temperature range is always stated on the labeling of the packaging in which the concen-
trate is delivered out of the factory.

Temperatures below the lower minimum usable temperature represent more of a problem than temperatures above
the maximum usable temperature. Since in both cases one is dealing with a mixture of water and high boiling point
solvents, going below the minimum usable temperature limit could result in freezing of the solution, which would pre-
vent its use, for example in proportioning equipment.
On the other hand, going above the maximum usable temperature, which should be avoided if possible, will not
Impair the ability of the concentrate to be proportioned or the premixed solution to be discharged. However, it may
result in a decrease in the performance characteristics of the concentrate or its dilute solution, when compared to the
concentrate subjected to temperatures in the normal usable temperature range. Tests have been conducted with all
our foam concentrates in intensive cycling of temperature variation without a significant decrease in performance.

Going below the lower usable temperature will obviously result in freezing of the concentrate over a period of time.
However, because of the composition the foam concentrates, placing the storage container in an area normally
heated to ambient temperatures (15°C to 20°C (60 °F to 70 °F)), will render them to their original con dition with little
or no change in performance characteristics.

If the HYDRAL or PLUREX, concentrates are stored in accordance with our

manufacturers recommendations, a shelf life of 20 to 25 years is reasonable to ex-
pect. In the case of our Protein foam concentrates because of the natural composi-
tion of the protein, shelf life of FOAMIN, APIROL, UNIVEX or HYDREX is generally
given in excess of 10 years.

It is generally advisable to inspect any equipment containing a Foam concentrate as

per NFPA recommendation on an annual basis. Part of this inspection should include
the foam concentrate agent itself. For foam used on board of vessels, please refer to
the IMO standard requiring testing of the foam concentrate after three years from
supply. It is always advisable to use original manufacturer laboratory to run the
quality inspection test knowing all the particularities of its products.
 Storage & Shelf life of
foams agents
www.sabofoam.com

STORAGE IN ORIGINAL CONTAINERS

As part of the listing or approval testing, the materials used in the packaging for our foam concentrates are also
tested over the usable temperature range stated on them.
SABO FOAM supplies its foaming liquid in different kind of containers (See our Bulletin for Packaging information).

Steel containers case: 200 lt steel drums are supplied under specific request. Steel containers are made of painted
mild steel; please periodically check the integrity of the containers, especially if stored outside. In the event of a
heavy rusted container please proceed to change it. In the case of light rust on the drums, please re-paint them with
appropriate paint.

STORAGE IN TANK
Properly constructed large capacity tanks offer the optimum conditions for prolonged storage.
As an integral part of a fixed systems or mounted on mobile equipment, foam liquid storage tanks provide immediate
access to large volumes of foam liquid. A foam liquid storage tank, whether fixed or mobile, should be constructed
with an expansion dome capacity of at least 2% of the tank volume. The tank should be closed to the atmosphere
except for a pressure vacuum vent device mounted on the expansion dome. The foam liquid level in the tank should
be maintained at a point half way into the expansion dome. In extremely corrosive environments, it may be desirable
to fabricate these tanks in stainless steel or other suitable synthetic materials.
The coating of storage tanks is not recommended for stainless steel tanks, but could be done for mild steel tanks to
preserve the shelf life of the tank. Please make sure to follow the procedure of coating as described by the supplier
recommendation. Any lesion in the surface of a coating due to incorrect painting application process will be
penetrated by the foam liquid, lifting the coating away from the tank shell in sheets or flakes. Foam concentrates
have good wetting characteristics, and if a crack in the coating develops, the foam concentrate will quickly go
through the tank wall and the coating resulting in the coating failure, corrosion problems and probably tank failure. In
addition, small particles of the coating may block the proportioners orifice during operation.

BASIC RULES
The following points are some basic guidelines for optimizing foam liquid storage life and quality:
• Always keep the product in original containers supplied at the time of delivery.
• Make sure the container or tank is kept sealed; in case of partial use of the quantity contained, close well
after use to prevent venting that may cause oxidation inside the container.
• Keep foam tank filled up with liquid up to the expansion dome.
• Filling up the topside of the tank with nitrogen in the event of a closed tank can avoid surface oxidation of the
product.
• Storage tanks should be fitted with a pressure/vacuum-vent. That reduces condensation and evaporation
which is harmful to the foam liquid. This vent requires periodic inspection and cleaning.
• Avoid direct exposure of tanks and drums to sun radiation and/or heat source.
• Keep the product stored at temperature in the recommended range given on the technical data sheet.
• Bladder tanks if properly maintained are considered as closed spaces therefore also offering best shelf life
for the foam concentrates.
• Never mix different foam liquids in a common storage tank.
• Avoid dilution of foam liquid with water or contamination with foreign ingredients, chemicals or oils.
• Valves, couplings or piping that will be in continual contact with the foam liquid should not be constructed of
dissimilar metals. The use of different metals may cause electrolytic corrosion.

If changes in the quality of the concentrate occur, a sample of the concentrate in a clear/clean plastic bottle of 2 liter
capacity should be sent to our quality department at: SABO FOAM s.p.a. Via Caravaggi 24040 - Levate - Italy