FM has updated Standard FM 5130 for Foam Extinguishing Systems

What does this mean for you?

When fighting high hazard fires, foam quality is the most critical element of a successful firefighting operation. Product certification through FM approvals provides the assurance the equipment meets the required standard across the full operating range of the product. More details can be found at the following link: https://www.firedos.com/news-overview/news/new-fm-approval-standard-for-foam-proportioners

Unchanged from previous standards, the proportioning rate measured in all tests shall match the specified rate within a tolerance of -0% to +30%, as specified by NFPA 11. The latest revision of the FM Examination Standard FM 5130 for Foam Extinguishing Systems that includes variable viscosity proportioners such as the FireDos water-driven foam proportioners was published in May 2021. The effective date of the revised standard is 18 months after the publication date. The revised standard mandates that all products tested for certification after the effective date shall satisfy the requirements of the revised standard. 

This means that products manufactured up to the end of November 2022 may still comply with the old FM 5130 Standard. However, products manufactured after the end of November 2022 must meet the test requirements of the new revised FM 5130 standard. The tests according to the old standard will not be applicable any longer.

What does this mean for FireDos proportioning systems?

FireDos GEN III foam proportioners from 1000 l/min up to 20000 l/min have been tested and certified according to the revised FM 5130 Standard for 1% and 3% proportioning rate. See FM Approved approval guide for details. The earlier generation (GEN I & II) FireDos proportioning systems have not and will not be tested according to the revised FM 5130 Standard. Accordingly, any FireDos GEN I & II proportioning systems manufactured after the end of November 2022 cannot be delivered with an FM approval.

All earlier generation (GEN I & II) FireDos proportioning systems that have and will be manufactured before the end of November 2022 and issued with a FM certification will be FM certified. After November 2022, the earlier generation (GEN I & II) FireDos proportioning systems will not be able to be manufactured and supplied with FM approval. From then on only newly manufactured GEN III systems will be able to be supplied with FM approval. 

Anybody still wanting an earlier generation (GEN I & II) FireDos proportioning system must order this now to allow manufacturing and testing before the end of November 2022. All GEN III proportioning systems that have been delivered to customers with a FM certification have been tested to the new standard and as such have a valid FM certification. With the revision of FM 5130 and the introduction of the new testing requirements all manufacturers must meet these new requirements for any new approvals. 

More details can be found at the following links:
https://www.firedos.com/news-overview/news/new-fm-approval-standard-for-foam-proportioners
https://www.firedos.com/news-overview/news/gen3-proportioners-handle-all-kinds-of-foam-concentrates

In the Press:
https://iffmag.mdmpublishing.com/firedos-gen-iii-foam-proportioning-systems-receive-fm-approval-according-to-the-new-test-standard-5130-td-197/
https://gulffire.mdmpublishing.com/a-guide-to-foam-and-foam-proportioning-equipment-part-2/