With a water-driven volumetric pump proportioner, firefighters can easily build a robust multi-nozzle system, easy to adapt to different firefighting situations.
This means that one can use several nozzles at the same time independently of each other, quickly open and close them intermittently (pulsing), and place the nozzles at different distances and heights from the water-driven volumetric proportioner. The proportioner itself can also be placed anywhere in between the main pump/hydrant and nozzles. As long as water is moving, above the minimum flow specified for each proportioner, the concentrate is accurately proportioned into the firefighting water stream.
One FIREMIKS may supply several nozzles handled independently.
A water-driven volumetric pump proportioner, like FIREMIKS, has substantially lower pressure losses compared with inductors, resulting in a far longer jet throw length of the foam/water solution, enhancing the safe distance from the fire for personnel, concentrate supply and the apparatus. This is especially important at high-risk incidents.
FIREMIKS proportioner works with all nozzle types – for example, variable spray nozzles, low expansion and medium expansion nozzles – the nozzle type doesn’t affect the dosing accuracy. All FIREMIKS mobile models are equipped with separate strainer to be placed on the water motor inlet to ensure that only clean water is entering the water motor.
Wide range of proportioning options
A water-driven pump proportioner equipped with piston pump has normally 1% and 3% as standard factory-fixed dosing rates. Other fixed dosing rates, for example, 0.5% and 2% are available as well as selectable dosing rates, such as 0.3–0%, 6–1% and 1–2–3% in one unit.
We can also offer our FIREMIKS mobile proportioner units with user-selectable 0.5–1–3%, available in two flow sizes, 600 and 1,000 lpm. FIREMIKS is the only brand in the market that offers the dosing selection 0.5–1–3% using only one foam pump. This design gives a compact unit with straightforward functions. Selection of dosing rate is done with easy-to-use shut-off valves at the piston pump head. Changing dosing rate is possible without stopping the firefighting water flow.
The latest addition to our mobile programme is a small, handy high-pressure unit, FIREMIKS 200-0.3–0.6–0.9-PP-M-HP, for 50–200 lpm and 0.3, 0.6 and 0.9% dosing rates, suitable for working pressures up to 30 bar.
Suitable for the new Fluor-free SFFF concentrates
FIREMIKS is uniquely positioned by being able to offer two types of pumps: piston pump models for viscosities from 1 cP (including wetting agents) up to around 4500 cP and gear pump models for viscosities up to around 8,000 cP (Brookfield viscometer spindle 4# at 30rpm).
Wide range of different flow sizes
From the smallest unit with max flow of 180 lpm, to units with max flow of 2,400 lpm, FIREMIKS offer eight different flow sizes for mobile applications. The units are equipped with handle and bottom bracket or with a sturdy surrounding frame and, if requested, supplied with lockable wheels.
FIREMKS proportioners gives a precise dosing rate within the approved tolerances by EN, NFPA, FM, etc., in a wide pressure and flow range.
Installation on fire trucks or trailers
Any water-driven proportioner can easily be installed fixed or semi-fixed in fire trucks or trailers, connected to a larger foam supply. The main advantage in comparison with ‘around the pump’ venturi systems is the wider operating pressure range, and that one avoids contaminating the water pump with foam concentrate. The main advantage in comparison with electronic systems is the simplicity and that it is not dependent on any electric energy source, making it possible to disconnect the unit, if installed semi-fixed, to be used as a mobile unit when required. Another advantage is that, since the rpm of the unit follows the flow rate, dosing is immediately correct even if nozzles are quickly opened and closed (pulsing).
For more information, go to www.firemiks.com
About the Author
Per Aredal is International Sales Director at Firemiks AB with +30 years of experience of producing and delivering water driven volumetric proportioners world-wide.
