FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets 4-12 April 2021 Page1of78 FOAM EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS Table of Contents Page 1.0 SCOPE ..................................................................................................................................................... 4 1.1 Hazards ............................................................................................................................................. 4 1.1.1 Availability ............................................................................................................................... 4 1.2 Changes ............................................................................................................................................ 5 2.0 LOSS PREVENTION RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................... 5 2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 5 2.1.1 General .................................................................................................................................... 5 2.1.2 Ensuring Availability and Maintainability ................................................................................ 5 2.2 Construction and Location ................................................................................................................. 6 2.2.1 Equipment Location ................................................................................................................. 6 2.2.2 Equipment Location, Remote .................................................................................................. 6 2.2.3 Earthquake .............................................................................................................................. 6 2.2.4 Emergency Drainage and Containment .................................................................................. 6 2.3 Occupancy ......................................................................................................................................... 6 2.3.1 System Identification ............................................................................................................... 6 2.4 Protection ........................................................................................................................................... 7 2.4.1 Application ............................................................................................................................... 7 2.4.2 Design ..................................................................................................................................... 7 2.4.3 Foam Concentrate ................................................................................................................... 7 2.4.4 Water Supply ........................................................................................................................... 8 2.4.5 Compressed Air Supply (Compressed Air Foam) ................................................................... 8 2.4.6 Foam Concentrate Proportioning Methods ............................................................................. 8 2.4.7 Ratio of Compressed Air to Foam Solution ......................................................................... 13 2.4.8 Distribution System ................................................................................................................ 14 2.4.9 Discharge Device Design Criteria ......................................................................................... 15 2.5 Equipment and Processes .............................................................................................................. 18 2.5.1 Foam Concentrate Supply .................................................................................................... 18 2.5.2 Water Supply ......................................................................................................................... 19 2.5.3 Compressed Air Supply (Compressed Air Foam Systems) .................................................. 19 2.5.4 Foam Concentrate Proportioners .......................................................................................... 19 2.5.5 Foam Concentrate Pump ...................................................................................................... 20 2.5.6 Valves .................................................................................................................................... 21 2.5.7 Test Connection and Alternate Test Method Connections .................................................... 21 2.5.8 Distribution System .............................................................................................................. 27 2.5.9 Discharge Devices ................................................................................................................ 28 2.5.10 Actuation and Control ......................................................................................................... 29 2.5.11 Fire Service Connections ....................................................................................................32 2.5.12 Manual Firefighting .............................................................................................................. 33 2.5.13 Plan Review ....................................................................................................................... 33 2.5.14 System Restoration ............................................................................................................. 35 2.6 Acceptance of Foam Fire Extinguishing System ............................................................................ 36 2.6.1 Acceptance Test Plan ............................................................................................................ 36 2.6.2 Implementation of Acceptance .............................................................................................. 36 2.6.3 Visual Inspection ................................................................................................................... 37 2.6.4 Operational Test of Proportioning Equipment ....................................................................... 37 2.6.5 Operation of Components ..................................................................................................... 41 2.6.6 Alarm and Detection Devices 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No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in whole or in part, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission of Factory Mutual Insurance Company. 4-12 Foam Extinguishing Systems Page 2 FM Global Property Loss Prevention Data Sheets 2.6.7 Documentation ...................................................................................................................... 42 2.7 Inspection, Testing and Maintenance .............................................................................................. 42 2.8 Impairments .................................................................................................................................... 42 2.9 Training ............................................................................................................................................ 43 2.10 Contingency Planning .................................................................................................................... 43 2.11 Electrical ......................................................................................................................................... 43 3.0 SUPPORT FOR RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................................................................... 43 3.1 General ........................................................................................................................................... 43 3.1.1 Applications for Which Foam Fire Extinguishing Systems are Not Recommended ............ 43 3.2 Construction and Location ............................................................................................................... 44 3.3 Occupancy ....................................................................................................................................... 44 3.3.1 System Identification ............................................................................................................ 44 3.4 Protection ......................................................................................................................................... 44 3.4.1 Where to Find Foam Fire Extinguishing “System” Components in the Approval Guide ...... 44 3.4.2 Distribution and Discharge Devices ...................................................................................... 45 3.4.3 Pre-Primed Foam-Water Distribution Systems ..................................................................... 45 3.4.4 Foam Concentrates ............................................................................................................... 46 3.4.5 Foam Concentrate Proportioning Methods ........................................................................... 50 3.4.6 Design Criteria ......................................................................................................................