Using an inline eductor, how long will a 5-gallon container of AFFF concentrate last under continuous use?

To determine how long a 5-gallon container of Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) concentrate will last under continuous use with an inline eductor, it’s important to consider the dilution ratio of the foam concentrate and the flow rate of the eductor system. A common dilution for AFFF is around 3-6%, and they typically operate with a flow rate that can vary based on the specific eductor being used.

If we presume a common flow rate for a fire suppression system is approximately 125 gallons per minute (GPM), which is often standard for many firefighting applications using foam, we can calculate the duration the 5-gallon container would last.

First, converting the container volume to gallons per minute:

• A 5-gallon container would provide foam concentrate continuously until it is fully utilized.

At a dilution such as 3%, this means for every 100 gallons of water, you would need 3 gallons of AFFF. Therefore, if the system is set up to deliver a total mixture of water and foam solution, we can establish how long the 5 gallons will last.

With an operational flow rate of, for example, 125 GPM, the actual concentrated usage would be