WL400-SPEC Rev150708

FIRE RESEARCH CORP.

26 Southern Blvd., Nesconset, NY11767
TEL ( 631 ) 724-8888 FAX ( 631 ) 360-9727 TOLL FREE 1-800-645-0074

PATENT APPLIED FOR

FOAM PRESSURE/VACUUM RELIEF VALVE

(Part No. XE-WL400-A0A)
Fire Research Corporation has come up with a revolutionary new design to overcome the deficiencies in
traditional foam tank pressure/vacuum vents. The FOAM PRESSURE/VACUUM RELIEF VALVE
incorporates a low pressure/vacuum design, is self draining, and it is easily removed to clean.

Foam concentrate storage tanks should be closed to the atmosphere. They need to be equipped with a
pressure/vacuum vent that enables the tank to compensate for changes in pressure or vacuum due to thermal
expansion, filling, or when withdrawing foam concentrate from the tank. (Reference NFPA 1901, 19-6.)

Traditional foam tank vents to date have an undesirable high pressure/vacuum design. They require
pressure up to 0.5 PSI to operate the air intake/discharge mechanism. The XE-WL400-A0A is designed
with internal pressure and vacuum valves that are manufactured of a lightweight material. The pressure
required to open them is less than 0.01 PSI. This is well below NFPA specifications.

FRC WL-400 Foam Tank Relief Valve

Foam Concentrate Flow vs Level Indication Error for Sealed Tanks -12-10-01
120

110 Foam GPM

100

90
Foam Concentrate Flow - GPM

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
0.0 5.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 25.0 30.0
NFPA 0.5 psi Relief Level Display Error - Inches NFPA 1.0 psi Relief

Sheet 1 of 3
 WL400-SPEC Rev150708
FIRE RESEARCH CORP.
26 Southern Blvd., Nesconset, NY11767
TEL ( 631 ) 724-8888 FAX ( 631 ) 360-9727 TOLL FREE 1-800-645-0074

PATENT APPLIED FOR

Cap Center Cavity

Main Body
Pressure Normal
When the outside pressure is equal to the Vent to
pressure within the tank, both pressure Atmosphere
vent caps are closed. They are gravity
Pressure Valve
sealed and prevent any direct opening
between the tank and the atmosphere. Vacuum Valve

Nipple Tank Top

Tank Vent

Positive Tank Pressure

Pressure Valve is
When the pressure in the tank starts to Open Pressure in tank
rise, the pressure in the center cavity is relieved.
becomes slightly positive. This positive
pressure (0.01 PSI) will force the
pressure valve to rise and allow tank
air to bleed to the outside.

Negative Tank Pressure

When the pressure in the tank starts to Vacuum Valve is Vacuum in tank
Open is relieved.
lower, the pressure in the center
cavity becomes slightly negative (a slight
vacuum is created). The pressure
(0.01 PSI) exerted on the vacuum valve
from the outside will force it to rise and
allow outside air to bleed into the tank.

Sheet 2 of 3
 WL400-SPEC Rev150708
FIRE RESEARCH CORP.
26 Southern Blvd., Nesconset, NY11767
TEL ( 631 ) 724-8888 FAX ( 631 ) 360-9727 TOLL FREE 1-800-645-0074

PATENT APPLIED FOR

The traditional foam tank vent air intake/discharge mechanism is prone to clogging and because these
vents are permanently attached to the tank they are difficult to clean. The XE-WL400-A0A has a long
hollow cavity that provides a path for air to move between the tank (via the nipple tank vent) and the
center cavity of the relief valve. This long cavity is to prevent splashing foam from entering the center
cavity and clogging the pressure and vacuum valves. The XE-WL400-A0A has self draining internal
passageways and can be easily removed and disassembled for periodic inspection and cleaning.

Installation of the Foam Pressure/Vacuum Relief Valve (Part No. XE-WL400-A0A)

The relief valve is mounted in a vertical position through a 1 1/8” hole on the lid of the fill tower.
The nipple is secured by a hand tightened 12 TPI nut; a gasket makes the seal between the mounting
surface and the nipple. The main body screws onto the nipple. A cap screws onto the main body
for protection.

Foam Tank
Pressure/Vacuum
Relief Valve

Fill Tower Lid 2 1/2”

1 3/4”

Gasket
Maximum Mounting (Between Lid Top and
Surface Thickness 5/8” Relief Valve Nipple)

Nut
(1 1/8” - 12 TPI)

NOTE: Relief valve must be mounted on the lid of the fill tower and in a vertical
position. The valve can not be immersed in foam. (If there is no fill tower, mount
the valve at the highest point of the tank top so that it is not immersed in foam.)

Sheet 3 of 3