FP-180 Water Motor AFFF Proportioner First Article Procedure and Evaluation
Abstract
Tests were conducted to evaluate the performance of two FP-180 water motor proportioners under a revised First Article Test Procedure. The procedure consists of a three part evaluation: an initial performance test, 200 hour endurance test and a final performance test. A Fire Fighting Assistance Team (FFAT) was established in the early 1970's to visit aircraft carriers and check the readiness of their fire suppression systems which include the FP-180 water motor proportioner. The FFAT's reports, covering the period 1973-82, show that 378 units were tested with 64 failures, a failure rate of 17 percent. The major causes for failure in the units included low concentration proportioning, and restricted motion of a number of parts with some units being described as frozen. Mechanical problems such as frozen pumps and binding of moving parts can often be attributed to improper maintenance. The problem of low concentration proportioning however is a direct result of fluid slippage which is caused by internal wear of the rotors and side plates in the concentrate pump and water motor. Keywords: Foam proportioning, Fire fighting.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 20, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA211140
Entities
People
- C. L. Whitehurst
- C. R. Fulper
- R. E. Burns
- R. J. Ouellette
- R. L. Gipe
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory