EN 1568 High,Medium,Low-expansion foam liquid foaming multiple and liquid separation time measuring instrument

EN 1568 High,Medium,Low-expansion foam liquid foaming multiple and liquid separation time measuring instrument

1. Scope of application:

This precision testing instrument is specifically designed to evaluate the foam expansion ratio, 25% drainage time, and 50% drainage time (25%/50%) of high-expansion, medium-expansion, and low-expansion foam solutions.

The instrument features a stainless steel foam collection tank, high-precision flow control (operating pressure range 0.3–0.65 MPa), and an automated timing system (supporting dual-threshold automatic recording of 25% and 50%), ensuring accurate and repeatable test results.

The system supports international standards such as ISO 7203-1-2, EN 1568-1-2-3, UL 162, and NFPA 11, making it ideal for global certification testing. it ensures reliable performance for foam concentrate manufacturers, fire safety labs, and regulatory compliance teams.

2. Standard

This equipment/system meets the following standards for determining foam expansion ratio, 25% drainage time, and 50% drainage time, covering low-expansion, medium-expansion, and high-expansion foams:

2.1 Complies with GB 15308-2006 "Foam Extinguishing Agents"

Section 5.8: Determination of expansion ratio, 25% and 50% drainage time for low-expansion foam solutions (expansion ratio 1–20).

Section 5.9: Determination of expansion ratio, 25% and 50% drainage time for medium-expansion and high-expansion foam solutions (medium-expansion 21–200, high-expansion >200).

2.2 Complies with GB 19156-2019 "General Technical Conditions for Fire Monitors"

Section 6.4.4.1: Determination of expansion ratio and drainage time (applicable to low-expansion, medium-expansion, and high-expansion foams, supporting 25%/50% measurements, including temperature correction).

2.3 Complies with GB 20031-2005 "General Technical Requirements for Foam Fire Extinguishing Systems and Components"

Section 6.20.2: Determination of Expansion Ratio and Drainage Time (supports low, medium, and high expansion ratios, including 25%/50%).

2.4 Complies with UL 162-2024 "Foam Equipment and Liquid Concentrates"

Section 10.2: Determination of Expansion Ratio and Drainage Time for Foam Equipment and Concentrates (primarily 25%, expansion ratio ≤20:1; 50% can be supplemented).

2.5 Complies with EN 1568 Series:2018 "Fire extinguishing media — Foam concentrates"

EN 1568-1:2018 — Medium Expansion Foam Concentrate (20:1～200:1), Determination of Expansion Ratio and 25%/50% Drainage Time.

EN 1568-2:2018 — Determination of expansion ratio and 25%/50% drainage time for high-expansion foam concentrate (>200:1).

EN 1568-3:2018 — Determination of expansion ratio and 25%/50% drainage time for low-expansion foam concentrate (≤20:1).

2.6 Complies with NFPA 11-2024 "Standard for Low-, Medium-, and High-Expansion Foam" Determination of expansion ratio and drainage time for low-, medium-, and high-expansion foam systems (primarily the 25% drainage time, recommended by Annex D; 50% can be added for high-expansion systems).

2.7 Complies with ISO 7203 series:2019 "Fire extinguishing media — Foam concentrates"

ISO 7203-1:2019 — Determination of expansion ratio and 25% (and 50%) drainage time for low-expansion foam concentrates (≤20:1).

ISO 7203-2:2019 — Determination of expansion ratio and 25% (and 50%) drainage time for medium-expansion and high-expansion foam concentrates (20:1 to 200:1 and >200:1).

Equipment Compatibility Specification

This measuring device is designed to meet various standard requirements for low-, medium-, and high-expansion foams (supporting 25% and 50% eluent extraction times):

Foaming Ratio Testing: Utilizing a standard foam gun (such as a PQ4/PQ8 low-/medium-expansion gun, or an adapted high-expansion generator) and the graduated cylinder/collection bucket method, it precisely controls flow rate, pressure, and air intake to achieve foaming ratio measurements for low (≤20:1), medium (20:1～200:1), and high (>200:1) expansion ratios. It complies with the flow control and data acquisition requirements of ISO 7203-1/7203-2, EN 1568-1/2/3, NFPA 11, GB 15308-2006 (5.8/5.9), and GB 19156-2019.

Sedimentation Time Measurement: The sedimentation receiving tank is made of brass/stainless steel and equipped with an automatic timing function and a screen-type drainage device. It supports simultaneous or separate accurate measurement of 25% and 50% sedimentation times (volume or mass basis, automatically switching or recording as required by standards). It meets the accuracy and stability requirements of UL 162, NFPA 11 (Annex D), GB 20031-2005 (6.20.2), GB 15308-2006 (5.8/5.9, including 25%/50%), EN 1568 series, and ISO 7203 series.

3. Pressure control:

The proportional control valve and electromagnetic flowmeter ensure stable liquid supply pressure (0.3–0.65 MPa), which is compatible with the test conditions of ASTM D1881.

4. Main technical parameters:

1 Composition: It consists of a standard compressed air foam system with high, medium, and low expansion foam collectors and a foam separation tester.

2 Low-multiple foam generation system: It consists of an air inlet pipe, a pressure-resistant storage tank, a pressure gauge, a foam liquid delivery pipe, and an adjustable bracket;

Fig. 1 Installation diagram of low magnification foam generation system

2.1 Standard foam gun: When calibrated with water, at a pressure of (0.63±0.03)MPa, the water flow rate is (11.4±0.4)L/min;

Fig. 2 Schematic diagram of standard foam gun

Figure 3. Picture of Standard foam Gun

2.2 Low-expansion foam collector: See Figure 4, made of stainless steel;

Figure 4. Schematic diagram of a low-expansion foam collector

2.3. Liquid analyzer: See Figure 5, made of brass; calibrate the volume of the foam receiving tank with water to an accuracy of 1 mL;

Figure 5. Liquid separation measuring device

3.Medium-multiple foam generation system:

Figure 6. Schematic diagram of the installation of the medium-expansion foam generation system

3.1 Medium-strength foaming liquid;

3.2 Foam generator: When calibrated with water, at a pressure of (0.5±0.01) MPa, the water flow rate is (3.25±0.15) L/min;

3.3 Foam collector: 200L volume, volume accuracy ±2L, with 9 drain holes at the bottom, made of stainless steel;

Figure 7. Schematic diagram of a medium-expansion foam collector

3.4 Graduated cylinder: 10mL graduation;

3.5 Thermometer: 1℃ graduation;

3.6 Stopwatch: 0.1s graduation;

3.7 Platform scale: 0.01kg accuracy;

4. High-multiple foam generation system:

Figure 8. Installation diagram of high-expansion foam generation system

4.1 High-concentration foaming liquid;

4.2 Foam generator: When calibrated with water, at a pressure of (0.5±0.01) MPa, the water flow rate is (6.1±0.1) L/min;

4.3 Foam collector: 500L volume, volume accuracy ±5L, with 9 drain holes at the bottom, made of stainless steel;

Figure 9. Schematic diagram of a high-expansion foam collector

4.4 Graduated cylinder: 10mL graduation;

4.5 Thermometer: 1℃ graduation;

4.6 Stopwatch: 0.1s graduation;

4.7 Platform scale: 0.01kg accuracy;

5. Other accessories:

1 Air compressor: 0.8MPa, flow rate 30L/min;

2 Thermometer: graduation value 1℃, mercury thermometer;

3 Measuring cylinder: 500mL, graduation value 10mL;

4 Balance: 1000g/0.1g;

5 Stopwatch: graduation value 0.1s.

6. Measurement environment requirements:

1 Ambient temperature: (15~25)℃

2 Foam temperature: (15~20)℃