A functioning extinguishing system that achieves the required performance parameters; that is of course the goal of every installation. However, when realising an extinguishing system or foam proportioner, all project phases are relevant – from planning and installation to maintenance – and should therefore be managed accordingly. For example, decisions made during the planning phase influence future maintenance costs. Errors during commissioning are also reflected in additional costs that need to be avoided.

FireDos and its partners around the world work closely with customers in all project phases. In this case, Hydrotop, a partner company from France, supported the customer in the following steps:

• Planning 
• Commissioning
• Performance test with foam concentrate

During the planning phase, constant dialogue with the planning office or the system builder is crucial. While Hydrotop is the expert when it comes to integrating the FireDos components and accessories, it is the planning office's job to plan the extinguishing system itself and carry out the corresponding hydraulic calculations. Hydrotop's focus in the planning phase of this project was therefore on the following tasks:

• Design and dimensioning of the suction line depending on the foam concentrate
• Integration of the proportioning system including accessories to achieve the required output
• Design of the return line for returning the foam concentrate to the foam agent tank

The most exciting phase in the realisation of an extinguishing system is, of course, commissioning. In addition to the purely visual inspection, the commissioning of the FD20000 proportioner also included checking the performance parameters.

The most important steps were:

• Visual inspection of the system
• Mechanical operation with extinguishing water
• Priming the pump with foam concentrate
• Carrying out performance tests
• Training of the customer

„When a system planner turns to us to purchase proportioners for an extinguishing system, we don't just want to sell equipment, we want to support them from the planning phase through to maintenance, i.e. throughout the entire service life of the extinguishing system.“ Guillaume Ackermann, Hydrotop

For this project, the customer opted for the fluorine-free multi-purpose foam concentrate ECOPOL from BioEx. FireDos proportioning systems are suitable for all types of foam agents - including extremely high-viscous alcohol-resistant and fluorine-free foam concentrates, as demonstrated by the results of the foam agent performance tests.

As part of these tests, the foam concentrate was added and then returned to the foam agent tank. The foam concentrate is measured by volume. The proportioning rate is calculated from this and from the quantity of extinguishing water determined at the same time, without premix or extinguishing foam being produced. This saves costs and protects the environment.

The following results were achieved:

• Extinguishing water flow rate 980 l/min: 3.2% proportioning rate
• Extinguishing water flow rate 9450 l/min: 3.4% proportioning rate
• Extinguishing water volume flow 19820 l/min: 3.6% proportioning rate

The proportioner therefore fulfils the required proportioning rate of between 3 and 3.9%. 

After commissioning the FireDos proportioner, Hydrotop carried out further tests to check the entire installation and in particular the flow rates. These tests were also successful.

The Hydrotop team endeavours to carry out the demanding test scenarios for every service call, because: The safety and reliability of a proportioner can only be guaranteed by a successful installation.