What makes firefighting foam concentrate difficult to pump
The pump is sized at the coldest working temperature and turns slowly, so the gear teeth fill completely.
How we build the pump for firefighting foam concentrate
| Recommended series | ZV · NAV |
|---|---|
| Flow range of these series | 0.47 – 2,770 l/min (0.03 – 166 m³/h) |
| Body material | Cast iron as standard; stainless steel NAV for aggressive variants |
| Heating | Recommended in cold climates, for long storage or where the product thickens at night |
| Speed | Low speed: a larger pump turning slowly, often with a gear motor or inverter |
| Shaft seals | Selected for the fluid and the working temperature |
| Connections | NAV: flanged DN 40 – DN 125 PN 16; ZV: threaded ports, close-coupled to the motor |
Proportioning is dosing
A foam system that underdoses makes weak foam; one that overdoses runs out of concentrate. We treat foam pumps as dosing pumps: each revolution moves a known volume, so the dose follows the speed of the motor or of the water turbine that drives it.
Where firefighting foam concentrate pumps work
Applications: Foam proportioning skids, tank farm protection, airports, fire trucks, refinery fire systems.
Typical markets: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Nigeria, Algeria, India, Indonesia. For these sites we size for local conditions: the coldest night temperature, 50 or 60 Hz power, heating available on site and spare parts that can be kept in stock locally.
Recommended pump series
Data we need to size your firefighting foam concentrate pump
- Product name, producer or data sheet of the firefighting foam concentrate
- Viscosity at the pumping temperature, and the lowest temperature on site
- Flow rate required (l/min, m³/h or bbl/h)
- Discharge pressure, or line length, diameter and height
- Suction: tank, line length and diameter, liquid level
- Power supply: voltage and 50 or 60 Hz
Frequently asked questions
Which gear pump do you recommend for firefighting foam concentrate?
We normally propose the ZV or NAV Series. The ZV is compact, for small flows and dosing, close-coupled to the motor. The final model depends on flow, viscosity at temperature and suction, and is confirmed by our technical office.
Why do you size the pump for firefighting foam concentrate larger than the flow requires?
Because a viscous fluid needs time to fill the gear teeth. A larger pump turning slowly fills completely, runs quietly and wears far less than a small pump at high speed.
Do you supply pumps outside Italy?
Yes. The pumps are built in our Bologna workshop and quoted for export. Write your country in the form and we will size the pump for your power supply (50 or 60 Hz) and site conditions.
This page also covers: Foam concentrate, AFFF.