How to Buy Foam Pump Systems

Two basic types of Foam Pump(KEXON) systems are used in the fire service and industry. The least expensive is a portable system made up of a foam proportioner, hose and a foam nozzle. This system is portable and may be moved to any location, as long as water at the proper pressure can be delivered. The second type of system is a vehicle-mounted system. This system is permanently mounted on the engine.

There are several types of apparatus-mounted Foam Pump systems. The categories include eductor systems, around-the-pump proportioners, automatic proportioners (including balanced pressure bladder systems), balanced pressure pump systems and electronic direct injection systems.

Here are the main things to consider when buying new foam systems:

An important factor to consider in the design and selection of an apparatus-mounted foam system is the size of a foam supply tank that is needed to support the built-in system. A foam system's firefighting capacity is dictated by its "gpm" rating. Using NFPA 11 Standard on foam application rates, a 125-gpm system is rated to handle a 1250 square foot spill fire of a hydrocarbon product. The same system could handle a 625 square foot polar solvent fire. NFPA recommends that a 15 minute supply of foam concentrate be available before starting operations.

Using these figures and having a supply of 3 percent foam concentrate, a 55 gallon foam tank would be necessary to supply a 125 gpm foam system. Larger systems, such as around-the-pump proportioners, require an "off-truck foam access system" that would allow the system to be supplied from a foam concentrate bulk container.