Falcon Gold Vertical and Horizontal Foam Bladder Tank

The Falcon Gold Foam Bladder Tank is a primary component of a balanced-pressure foam-proportioning system.

The tank stores foam concentrate inside an elastomeric bladder. Incoming fire-system water applies pressure to the outside of the bladder, transferring pressure to the foam concentrate and supplying pressurized concentrate to the proportioner.

The bladder tank requires no external operating power other than the available fire-water pressure.

Falcon Gold bladder tanks are available in vertical and horizontal configurations and in multiple storage capacities for industrial, petrochemical, warehouse, aviation, power-generation and marine fire-protection applications.

Key Features:

• Foam-concentrate bladder tank.
• Part of a balanced-pressure foam-proportioning system.
• Operated by fire-water pressure.
• No separate external power source required.
• Available in vertical configuration.
• Available in horizontal configuration.
• Multiple storage capacities.
• Rated working pressure of 175 PSI.
• Approximately 12 bar.
• Carbon-steel pressure vessel.
• Designed to ASME Section VIII for unfired pressure vessels according to the specification table.
• Pressure tested to one and one-half times the rated working pressure.
• Buna-N rubber bladder.
• Nylon-reinforced bladder construction.
• Brass trim valves with Teflon seats.
• Permanently mounted valves.
• Valve labels indicating normal operating positions.
• Permanently welded lifting lugs.
• Perforated PVC center tube.
• Approximately 10% oversized to allow foam-concentrate thermal expansion.
• Identification label showing foam type, percentage and tank size.
• Red exterior finish.
• Multiple optional accessories.

Operating Principle:

The steel pressure vessel contains an internal flexible bladder filled with foam concentrate.

During system operation:

• Fire-system water enters the space surrounding the bladder.
• The water applies pressure to the bladder.
• The pressure is transferred to the stored foam concentrate.
• Pressurized concentrate is discharged from the tank.
• Concentrate flows to the proportioner.
• The proportioner introduces the required concentrate percentage into the fire-water stream.
• The finished foam solution flows to the designed discharge devices.

Available Configurations:

Vertical Bladder Tank:

Suitable where floor space is limited and sufficient installation height is available.

The catalogue states that the vertical tank skirt diameter is equal to the shell diameter to provide increased stability.

Horizontal Bladder Tank:

Suitable for locations with limited installation height or where the system arrangement requires a horizontal vessel.

The required orientation must be specified when ordering.

Storage Capacities:

The specification table states a storage-capacity range from:

• 50 gallons.
• Approximately 189 liters.

Up to:

• 3200 gallons.
• Approximately 12000 liters.

The dimensional table in the catalogue provides standard sizes from 50 gallons through 2500 gallons.

The final capacity must be selected according to hydraulic calculations, concentrate percentage, system flow and required discharge duration.

Working and Test Pressure:

• Rated working pressure: 175 PSI.
• Approximately 12 bar.
• Test pressure: one and one-half times the working pressure according to the catalogue description.

Pressure Vessel:

• Material: Carbon steel.
• Design standard: ASME Section VIII for unfired pressure vessels, as stated in the specification table.
• Final project-code certification must be confirmed at the time of procurement.

Internal Bladder:

• Material: Buna-N rubber.
• Reinforcement: Nylon.
• Separates the foam concentrate from the pressurizing water.

Center Tube:

Vertical and horizontal tanks contain a perforated PVC center tube.

The center tube supports efficient agent discharge and helps maintain a suitable flow path during operation.

Valves and Trim:

• Brass trim valves.
• Teflon valve seats.
• Permanently mounted valve assemblies.
• Labels showing normal operating position.
• Foam inlet and drain connection.
• Water inlet nozzle.
• Foam-solution discharge nozzle.
• Water drain line.
• Vent pipe.
• Permanently welded lifting lugs.

Painting and Coating:

Internal:

• Zinc-rich primer.
• Coal-tar epoxy according to the shown specification.

External:

• Red epoxy paint.

Available Options:

• Pressure proportioner.
• Concentrate control valve.
• Access ladder.
• Sight glass.
• Proportioner pre-piped to the tank assembly.
• Primed or epoxy finish.
• Salt-water environment coating.
• Stainless-steel trim.
• Actuated water or concentrate valves.
• Insulation and heat-tracing packages.
• Custom materials, dimensions and capacities.

Salt-Water Environment:

Coal-tar epoxy internal coating can be specified for tanks intended for salt-water or marine environments.

The environmental requirement must be stated when ordering.

Ordering Information:

Specify:

• Vertical or horizontal tank.
• Required capacity.
• Exterior finish.
• Salt-water environment requirement.
• Foam-concentrate type.
• Concentrate percentage.
• Working pressure.
• Required proportioner.
• Required valves and trim.
• Optional equipment.
• Project code and authority requirements.

Applications:

• Fuel-storage-tank protection.
• Petrochemical facilities.
• Refineries.
• Flammable-liquid warehouses.
• Power stations.
• Airports and aviation-fuel facilities.
• Marine terminals.
• Offshore platforms.
• Industrial plants.
• Fuel loading and unloading facilities.
• Foam-system rooms.
• Foam-water sprinkler systems.
• Foam deluge systems.
• Low- and medium-expansion foam systems.
• High-risk facilities requiring fixed foam protection.

Capacity Selection:

The required tank capacity depends on:

• Protected hazard area.
• Fuel or flammable-liquid type.
• Foam-solution application rate.
• Required concentrate percentage.
• System flow rate.
• Required discharge duration.
• Required reserve quantity.
• Applicable standards.
• Hydraulic calculations.
• Consultant and authority requirements.

Installation Notes:

• Install the tank on a structural foundation suitable for its full operating weight.
• Provide adequate maintenance and valve-access clearance.
• Verify all valve positions.
• Connect water and concentrate piping according to the approved drawing.
• Pressure-test the completed installation.
• Protect the tank and piping from mechanical impact.
• Use the welded lifting lugs for lifting.
• Do not lift the tank using valves or piping.
• Confirm bladder compatibility with the selected foam concentrate.
• Filling and commissioning must be performed by qualified personnel.
• Verify complete system operation before placing the tank in service.

Maintenance:

• Inspect the tank body and coating.
• Inspect all valves and normal operating positions.
• Check water and concentrate piping.
• Check for leakage.
• Inspect the internal bladder according to the maintenance program.
• Verify the foam-concentrate identification label.
• Periodically test the proportioning system.
• Check foam-concentrate quality and condition.
• Maintain the system according to manufacturer and applicable-standard requirements.

Important Note:

Vertical and horizontal configurations and multiple tank capacities are grouped under one product because they form the Falcon Gold Foam Bladder Tank product family.

The specification table states capacities up to 3200 gallons, while the dimensional table provides standard dimensional details through 2500 gallons. Confirm final capacity, dimensions and weight through the approved manufacturer’s submittal before procurement.

Final tank capacity and configuration must be selected according to hydraulic calculations, foam type and percentage, project specifications and authority requirements.