Oil Technics: Portable Foam Sampling & Test Kit. Offshore/Onshore use complete with Methology package.

1. Oil Technics
FIRE FIGHTING FOAM
PR O D UC E D
F O A M T ES T K I T
MANUAL

2. Contents
Page Number
• Produced Foam Test Kit 1
• Introduction 2
• Overview 3
• How to use a Refractometer 4
• How to measure the Refractive Index 5
• How to make up standard solutions 6
• How to draw a calibration curve 7
• Examples of a calibration curve 8
9
• Produced Foam International Standards
10
• Useful information
11
• Graph Paper
12
• Disclaimer

3. Produced Foam Test Kit
This kit is designed for the testing and calibration of produced fire
fighting foam induction systems.
The Produced Foam Test Kit contains the following components:
• Measuring Cylinders – 3 x 100ml
• Beaker – 1 x 250ml
• 1ml Measuring Syringe
• Produced Foam sample bottles – 3 x 250ml
• Digital Refractometer
• Worked examples plus graph paper
• Manual
Contents
Page 1.

4. Introduction
Fire Fighting Foam induction systems require regular performance
testing and often as a result recalibration.
In testing an induction system it is often necessary to send samples to a
foam test laboratory which can take time to do.
This kit has been designed to enable fire safety professionals to test
for themselves on-site the performance of their induction system.
We have attempted to make this test manual as self explanatory as
possible. Should the user require any further information or advice,
please call our foam testing laboratory on +44 (0) 1561 361515 or see
our website www.foamtesting.com.
It is highly recommended that when a system has been
calibrated correctly, a produced foam sample be sent to a
reputable foam test laboratory for independent third party
evaluation.
Page 2.

5. Overview
This kit contains a refractometer (which is a sensitive instrument and
should be kept in a clean state at all times).
The refractometer is used to measure the Refractive Index (RI) of
produced foam solution.
The Refractive Index value increases as the percentage of foam
concentrate within a produced foam sample increases.
For example, the RI of 3% foam solution is a larger value (called a brix)
than that of a 1% foam solution.
Using samples of foam concentrate and induction water new solutions
at varying percentages are made (using the syringe and glass bottles
provided).
The RI of these new solutions is measured using the refractometer.
For example, for a foam proportioning at 3% we ask you to make new
solutions at 1%, 3% and 5%.
The RI values of these new solutions is plotted on graph paper to
produce a calibration curve.
Once the calibration curve has been drawn (it should be a “best fit”
straight line) the RI of the actual produced foam is measured and
plotted on the graph.
Once this has been completed the user can quickly determine the
solution strength of their produced foam.
Page 3.

6. How To Use A Refractometer
• Switch the Refractometer on by pressing the
‘Read’ button.
• Make sure the glass prism is clean (by wiping
clean with a clean lint free cloth).
• Place a few drops of de-ionised water onto the
prism and cover the prism with its lid. Press the
‘Read’ button to check that the Refractometer
reads 0.00% brix.
• Separately place a few drops of each solution
onto the prism cover, and then press the ‘Read’
button and record the value.
• Take care to clean the prism with a lint free dry
cloth after each reading.
Page 4.

7. How To Measure The Refractive Index
Making sure the prism glass is clean place a few drops of foam solution
on to the prism glass and read the Refractive index. Record the value
in the heading at the top of the supplied graph paper.
Repeat with new solutions (see overleaf) making sure after each
reading that the prism glass is cleaned.
Repeat this for the produced foam recording the RI reading in the box
marked Finished Foam.
Note 1
We recommend that the RI tests are completed indoors at a
constant temperature.
(A reputable foam test laboratory will ‘age’ your foam
concentrate, induction water and produced foam sample at
200C before testing. This is done in order to achieve
repeatability of values).
Note 2
For first time users of this kit and particularly those without
laboratory experience, we recommend making up two extra
standard solutions . For example, with a 1% foam concentrate
make up an additional 3% and 5% solution; with a 3% foam
make up an additional 0.5% and 4% solution and for 6%
foam make up a 2% and 5% solution.
This is particularly recommended when testing a 1% foam
concentrate because of the relatively small changes in
Refractive Index between the samples.
See overleaf for guidance on how to make standard solutions.
Page 5.

8. How To Make Up Standard Solutions
Required:
• Foam concentrate sample
• Induction water sample
• Produced foam sample
• 3 x 250ml sample bottles
• 2ml measuring syringe
• 3 x 100ml measuring cylinders
Standard solutions are made up as follows:
• 1% Foam System 0.5% - 1.0% - 1.5%
• 3% Foam System 1.0% - 3.0% - 5.0%
• 6% Foam System 3.0% - 6.0% - 7.0%
Method for making a standard solution
In this example we are working with a 1% Foam Induction System.
Prepare in each 100ml measuring cylinder a 0.5% - 1.0% - 1.5%
solution.
0.5% Solution Pour exactly 100ml of induction water into the
measuring cylinder. Remove 0.5ml using the glass
syringe from the cylinder and replace it with 0.5ml
of 1% concentrate.
1% Solution Pour exactly 100ml of induction water into the
measuring cylinder. Remove 1ml using the glass
syringe from the cylinder and replace it with 1ml of
1% concentrate.
1.5% Solution Pour exactly 100ml of induction water into the
measuring cylinder. Remove 1.5ml using the glass
syringe from the cylinder and replace it with 1.5ml
of 1% concentrate.
Finally, place a few drops of the induction water onto the prism, read
off the Refractive Index and record on the graph paper using the box
marked Induction Water.
See next section How to measure the Refractive Index Page 6.

9. How To Draw A Callibration Curve
Required:
• Graph Paper – supplied with kit
• Ruler
For the 1% concentrate, we mentioned on the previous page we
“achieved” the following values:
Sample Recorded Refractive Index
Solutions (Brix)
Induction
4.4
Water
0.5% 4.6
1.0% 4.8
1.5% 5.0
3.0% 5.6
5.0% 6.4
Produced Foam 4.9
The LHS of the Graph Paper is the Refractive Index and the base axis is
the 1% value of the sample solutions.
First plot the RI of the Induction Water this is your “axis of origin” or
graph start point and should be the 0% of your graph.
Then record the above RI values relating to each sample solution.
Draw a best fit straight line (called calibration curve) between the
6 points (using the Induction Water RI reading as your “axis of origin”).
Finally using the Produced Foam RI value draw a straight line from the
RI value of the produced foam until it meets the calibration curve.
At this point draw a vertical line to the base line of the calibration
curve and read off the value of induction percentage of the produced
foam - in this case 1.25%.
Page 7.

10. PRODUCED FOAM CURVE
Produced Foam Nominal 1% Sample Conc. Results % Brix Sample Conc. Results % Brix
Concentrate 1% AFFF-LF 0.50% 4.6
Induction Water Sea Water 1.0% 4.8
1.5% 5.0 Induction Water 4.4
3.0% 5.6
5.0% 6.4 Produced Foam 4.9
Refractive Index % Brix
7.0% 7.0%
.9 .9
.8 .8
.7 .7
.6 .6
.5 .5
.4 .4
.3 .3
.2 .2
.1 .1
6.0% 6.0%
.9 .9
.8 .8
.7 .7
.6 .6
.5 .5
.4 .4
.3 .3
.2 .2
.1 .1
5.0% 5.0%
4.9% .9 .9
.8 .8
.7 .7
.6 .6
.5 .5
.4 .4
.3 .3
.2 .2
.1 .1
4.0% 4.0%
0% 1% 2% 3% 4% 5%
0% 2% 1.25% 4% 6% 8% 10%
Solution Concentration %v/v
Select axes appropriate to the samples being tested. Fresh water samples will require a refractive index axis starting at Zero.
Page 8.

11. Produced Foam International Standards
Two International Standards are in use in the UK.
• BS5306
• NFPA11
Within the UKCS, the predominate standard is the BS5306.
Within the USA and the Middle East, the predominate standard is
the NFPA11.
The significant difference between these standards is that the
NFPA Standard has no margin for Analytical Error
Produced Foam NFPA11 BS5306
1% 1.0 – 1.3% 1.0 – 1.25%
3% 3.0 – 3.9% 3.0 – 4.0%
6% 6.0 – 7.0% 5.0 – 6.0%
With respect to our worked example, the 1% produced foam showed
an induction % of foam concentrate of 1.25%.
Under both NFPA11 and BS5306, this result would be acceptable.
Page 9.

12. Useful Information
Our website www.foamtesting.com contains useful information,
including the following:.
• Why foam testing is required
• What sample sizes are required
• How to read a Foam Test Report
• How to take a concentrated foam sample
• How to take a produced foam sample
• Foam Concentrate Test Methods
• How to test a Produced Foam Sample
• NFPA11 Standard for Low, Medium and High Expansion Foam
• BS53065 Part 6 – Foam Systems
• Section 6.1 – Specification for Low Expansion Foam Systems
• UKOOA Guidelines for the Management of Offshore Helidecks Section 12
• Civil Aviation Authority CAP437 (Chapter 5)
Page 10.

13. PRODUCED FOAM CALIBRATION CURVE
Produced Foam Sample Conc. Results % Brix Sample Conc. Results % Brix
Concentrate 0.50% 6.0%
Induction Water 1.0% 7.0%
1.5% Induction Water
3.0%
5.0% Produced Foam
Refractive Index % Brix
7.0% 7.0%
.9 .9
.8 .8
.7 .7
.6 .6
.5 .5
.4 .4
.3 .3
.2 .2
.1 .1
6.0% 6.0%
.9 .9
.8 .8
.7 .7
.6 .6
.5 .5
.4 .4
.3 .3
.2 .2
.1 .1
5.0% 5.0%
.9 .9
.8 .8
.7 .7
.6 .6
.5 .5
.4 .4
.3 .3
.2 .2
.1 .1
4.0% 4.0%
0% 1% 2% 3% 4% 5%
0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10%
Solution Concentration %v/v
Select axes appropriate to the samples being tested. Fresh water samples will require a refractive index axis starting at zero.
Page 11.

14. PRODUCED FOAM CALIBRATION CURVE
Produced Foam Sample Conc. Results % Brix Sample Conc. Results % Brix
Concentrate 0.50% 6.0%
Induction Water 1.0% 7.0%
1.5% Induction Water
3.0%
5.0% Produced Foam
Refractive Index % Brix
7.0% 7.0%
.9 .9
.8 .8
.7 .7
.6 .6
.5 .5
.4 .4
.3 .3
.2 .2
.1 .1
6.0% 6.0%
.9 .9
.8 .8
.7 .7
.6 .6
.5 .5
.4 .4
.3 .3
.2 .2
.1 .1
5.0% 5.0%
.9 .9
.8 .8
.7 .7
.6 .6
.5 .5
.4 .4
.3 .3
.2 .2
.1 .1
4.0% 4.0%
0% 1% 2% 3% 4% 5%
0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10%
Solution Concentration %v/v
Select axes appropriate to the samples being tested. Fresh water samples will require a refractive index axis starting at zero.

15. PRODUCED FOAM CALIBRATION CURVE
Produced Foam Sample Conc. Results % Brix Sample Conc. Results % Brix
Concentrate 0.50% 6.0%
Induction Water 1.0% 7.0%
1.5% Induction Water
3.0%
5.0% Produced Foam
Refractive Index % Brix
7.0% 7.0%
.9 .9
.8 .8
.7 .7
.6 .6
.5 .5
.4 .4
.3 .3
.2 .2
.1 .1
6.0% 6.0%
.9 .9
.8 .8
.7 .7
.6 .6
.5 .5
.4 .4
.3 .3
.2 .2
.1 .1
5.0% 5.0%
.9 .9
.8 .8
.7 .7
.6 .6
.5 .5
.4 .4
.3 .3
.2 .2
.1 .1
4.0% 4.0%
0% 1% 2% 3% 4% 5%
0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10%
Solution Concentration %v/v
Select axes appropriate to the samples being tested. Fresh water samples will require a refractive index axis starting at zero.

16. Disclaimer
• All the components and instruments are non-electrical (except for
the refractometer) thus allowing most of the kit to be safely used in
‘Hazardous Areas’.
• If refractometery must be carried out in a hazardous area, we can
supply a simple hand held prism or manual refractometer. Usually
this is unnecessary, since samples may be collected and removed to
a safe area for refractometer tests.
• Oil Technics (Fire Fighting Foam) Ltd cannot be responsible for any
incorrect use of results when using its kits or for any loss, personal
injury or damage to property however caused resulting from the use
of its Produced Foam Test Kit.
Product Guarantee
Our purchase guarantee is very simple – When you purchase any of
our products we want you to be 100% satisfied.
We will replace or refund any purchase which results in less than
100% satisfaction
Page 12.

17. We would like to thank you for choosing
Oil Technics (Fire Fighting Products) Ltd.
Oil Technics (Fire Fighting Products) Ltd.
Linton Business Park
Gourdon Tel: +44 (0) 1561 361515
Aberdeenshire Fax: +44 (0) 1561 361001
DD1O 0NH Email: info@foamtesting.com
Scotland, U.K Web: www.foamtesting.com Last updated: 15/06/12