The process of exercising the proportioner pump will vary by model/manufacturer, and the process described here is for the automatic, direct inject type systems.
Get a clean bucket and place it under the proportioner pump. Switch the pump outlet valve from “Inject” to “Bypass”. Make sure the Bypass outlet tube will direct the concentrate into the clean bucket.
On the system control panel, turn on the simulated mode function (this varies by manufacturer and model). Once in simulated mode, push the “RED” button to turn on the pump flow. Concentrate will flow from the concentrate tank, through the pump, out of the Bypass outlet and into the clean bucket. Flow a minimum of 1 quart to 1 gallon or more to circulate the concentrate through the pump.
To stop – Push the “RED” button off, exit the simulated mode (per manufacturer’s instructions), place the pump Inject/Bypass outlet valve back in to the “Inject” position and then take the concentrate in the clean bucket and pour it back into the concentrate tank (following department protocols). Viola, the pump is exercised, and no concentrate was wasted or lost.
CRITICAL SAFETY NOTE – failure to place the “Inject/Bypass” valve back into the “Inject” position will result in concentrate being dumped on the ground (wasted/lost) and no foam or CAF produced at the next fire!!!!
Check the LIBRARY for system ops manuals.
