Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Materials of construction are compatible with all fire fighting foam concentrates. For viscous concentrates, it is essential to have a minimum of 5 pipe diameters of straight pipe into the pump suction. Suction hose or pipe diameter must be 1 pipe size larger than pump inlet port size. Also, it is critical for all installations to ensure that all connections are leak free to avoid air leakage into the low-pressure inlet side.

Normal rotation is viewed as looking at the front of the engine towards the flywheel – the engine will always rotate clockwise. If the drive shaft is in the upper position the suction port is on the left side, and the discharge port is on the right side. If the suction port needs to be on the right side and the discharge on the left, then the pump can be ordered from the factory configured to lower drive right suction.

Foam concentrate tanks are limited in size which increases the likelihood of running dry when the take is emptied. When that happens, many positive displacements pumps will be damaged, but an NFPA 20 pump is designed to accommodate that issue. This feature gives time to shut down the system and once the tank is refilled, it will be ready to continue on.

Yes, pumping clean water is fine. There are no operation time limits when pumping water. There are no restrictions on water discharge pressure up to the maximum discharge pressure of the pump and/or pump driver ratings.

Water turbine, diesel engine, electric motor, hydraulic motor, power take-off (PTO), and gasoline engines (foam transfer pump only). Water turbine, diesel engine, electric motor, hydraulic motor, power take-off (PTO), and gasoline engines (foam transfer pump only).

• Location indoor/outdoor, area classification.
• If electric motor, Hz, volts, and motor enclosure required (TEFC or ODP).
• If diesel engine, what are the elevation and/or ambient temperature averages.
• If water turbine drive, what is the available water pressure at the turbine location? Saltwater or freshwater.
• What is the design flow rate: foam solution x % concentration + 10% safety factor.
• What is the foam pump discharge pressure.

Yes. Centrifugal pumps are to be used as fire pumps and not foam pumps. Centrifugal pumps are designed to slip and therefore will cause agitation of the foam within the pump housing. Also, these types of pumps use packing that is designed to leak for cooling purposes and foam agents should never leak from the pump. Thus, foam pumps need to be positive displacement type foam pumps.

This would be per the design guideline being followed and the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ). It also is dependent on if the power supply meets the requirements of NFPA 20. Please refer to local authorities and the design code to determine this requirement. Foam pump combinations can be, but are not limited to, Electric
main/Electric reserve with automatic transfer switch controllers or an Electric
main/Diesel reserve, etc.

Maybe. A qualified person must do a full design review to make the determination. Foam system design, flow rates, foam application type and time, are all components in this decision. Fire Lion can help make recommendations based on your system, but ultimately, others will have to make this decision.

Read our Competition Comparison sheet regarding our pumps vs other manufacturers.

The simple answer is yes. Foam pumps are tested, witnessed, and approved for use with a viscosity limitation as per UL and FM standards. To ensure optimal performance, the pump shall be used within the viscosity limits specified in its listing or approval. 
Materials of construction are compatible with all firefighting foam concentrates. For viscous concentrates, it is essential to have a minimum of 5 pipe diameters of straight pipe into the pump suction with an eccentric reducer located at the pump inlet. The suction pipe diameter must be at least one pipe size larger than the pump inlet port size. Proper and accurate NPSHa calculations are required per NFPA 20 to determine suction pipe sizes for all installations. 
Additionally, all installations must ensure that all connections are leak-free to prevent air leakage into the low-pressure inlet side.

Regular rotation is viewed as if you are sitting on top of the engine with the flywheel in front of you. When you do this, the engine will continuously rotate clockwise. If the drive shaft is in the upper position, the suction port is located on the left side, and the discharge port is positioned on the right side. If the suction port needs to be on the right side and the discharge on the left, then the pump must be ordered from the factory in the lower drive position.

**NOT A FIELD/COMMISSIONING TEST**

UL448C and FM1313 both require this laboratory test to be completed for each foam pump that is to be listed. Foam concentrate tanks are limited in size, which increases the likelihood of running dry when the tank is emptied. When that happens, many positive displacement pumps will be damaged; however, an NFPA 20 pump is designed to accommodate this issue. This feature gives time to shut down the system. Once the tank is refilled as needed, the pumps can be put back into service.

Yes, pumping clean water is acceptable. Fire Lion pumps hold UL listings and FM approvals for use in water mist-type applications. There are no time limits on operating when pumping water. There are no restrictions on water discharge pressure, provided it does not exceed the maximum discharge pressure of the pump and/or pump driver ratings.

Water turbines, diesel engines, electric motors, hydraulic motors, power take-offs (PTOs), and gasoline engines (for foam transfer pumps only) are all acceptable pump drivers, depending on the project’s requirements and the pump’s performance needs.   

(click here to go to the Fire Lion foam pump selector and here for the quote request page)

• Project name and installation location (city & country)
• Location indoor/outdoor, area classification.
• If an electric motor is required, specify the frequency (Hz), voltage, and motor enclosure type (TEFC or ODP).
• If it’s a diesel engine, what are the average elevation and/or ambient temperature?
• If the water turbine is driven, what is the available water pressure at the location of the turbine? Saltwater or freshwater.
• The design flow rate of the foam pump is calculated as the system foam solution flow rate multiplied by the % concentration, plus a 10% safety factor.
• The foam pump required discharge pressure: system residual water pressure at proportioner + 15 psi (1 bar) + friction losses from proportioner to pump skid + elevation changes + 10% safety factor.

Yes. Centrifugal pumps are intended for use as fire pumps, not foam pumps. Centrifugal pumps cannot self-prime from an elevation of 2 feet, unlike a PD pump, which requires this capability. Centrifugal pumps are designed to slip and, therefore, will cause agitation of the foam concentrate within the pump housing. Additionally, these types of pumps may utilize packing designed to leak for cooling purposes, and foam agents should never leak from the pump house, shaft, or seal. PD pumps are also designed, tested and approved to handle the much higher viscosities of firefighting foam agents. Centrifugal pumps struggle to handle fluids with higher viscosities efficiently. Thus, foam pumps must be of the positive displacement type.

This requirement would be based on the design guidelines being followed, the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), and/or the end-user preference. It also depends on whether the power supply meets the requirements of NFPA 20 and NFPA 70. Please refer to the local authorities and the design code to determine this requirement. Foam pump combinations can be, but are not limited to, Electric central/Electric reserve, potentially with automatic transfer switch controllers, or electric main/Diesel reserve, etc.

Potentially. A qualified person (i.e., Fire Protection Engineer) must conduct a full design review to determine the system changes and their impact. Foam system design, flow rates, foam application type, and discharge duration are all considerations in this decision. Fire Lion can assist and make recommendations based on your system, but ultimately, others will be responsible for the final determination.

Please read our technical bulletin blog post, which outlines the necessary information for Fire Lion to perform these services for your foam pump system.