NATIONAL FOAM

DATA SHEET
#NPR050

Vertical Bladder Tank

Description
The Bladder Tank Proportioning System is a balanced
pressure proportioning system, requiring no external power
other than an adequate water supply. A bladder tank, with
an appropriate proportioner(s), injects foam concentrate
into the water supply of a fire protection system and
automatically proportions over a wide range of flows and
pressures.
The Bladder Tank Proportioning System employs water
to pressurize the bladder and force foam concentrate to
the ratio controller. The water supply simultaneously feeds
the ratio controller and the bladder tank. As water flows
through the ratio controller the level of pressure reduction
increases, thereby affecting a corresponding pressure
drop across the foam concentrate metering orifice. The
corresponding pressure drop results in foam concentrate
flow that is proportionate to the water flow through the ratio
controller. As both the water and foam concentrate flow into
a common reduced pressure area, it is necessary only to
maintain identical water and foam concentrate pressures
at the respective inlets of the ratio controller.
During operation, the water outside the bladder gradually
displaces the foam concentrate inside causing the bladder
to collapse until the supply is exhausted. The bladder tank
may then be isolated and the system allowed to discharge
water only. Since the bladder tank is pressurized, the
bladder should not be refilled during operation.

Features
Compatible with all foam concentrates
Requires less floor space than horizontal tanks
Bottom foam concentrate discharge keeps feed piping
full, eliminating air pockets and preventing corrosion
Permanently welded lifting lugs

Applications

Pre-Piped

welded to tank shell, complete with four mounting clips. A

flexible, thermoplastic vulcanized rubber internal bladder
separates the foam concentrate from the incoming water.
The tank shall have perforated PVC schedule 80 center
discharge piping, located within the bladder, to ensure that
foam concentrate flows to the bottom discharge. A section
of 1-inch I.D. rubber hose installed between the bladder
and tank shell, shall extend from the water vent to the
water drain connection, preventing bladder obstruction at
these openings.
The ratio controller (RCF) shall be a flanged style for
mounting in Schedule 40 pipe between two 150# flat or
raised flanges of the same nominal size as the RCF. The
RCF shall be cast bronze with stainless steel hardware and
shall be rated for a working pressure of 250 psi (17 bar).
The ratio controller shall incorporate a recovery section to
minimize the pressure loss through the proportioner and
reduce the straight pipe length required after the controller.
A " (6.35 mm) female NPT port for sensing water
pressure at the inlet to the ratio controller water orifice
shall be incorporated into the casting. Each ratio controller
shall automatically proportion over the range indicated
on flow range chart without any manual adjustment. The
foam concentrate inlet shall contain a foam concentrate
metering orifice with field adjustment feature to allow user
to fine tune proportioning.
The ratio controller shall be pre-piped to the bladder tank.
All external piping shall be Schedule 40, and shall be brass
for foam concentrate and carbon steel for water. Brass or
bronze ball valves of the locking handle type, in accordance
with NFPA requirements for valve supervision, shall be
supplied, and shall be complete with identification labels
on the handles. A ball check valve shall be installed in the
foam concentrate line. Tank shall include all necessary
drain and vent valves, concentrate fill piping, fill cup, and
tank content/identification labels. External surfaces of tank
and piping shall be coated with red high solids acrylic
polyurethane finish.

Frequently used in aircraft hangars, loading racks, sprinkler

systems, and offshore platforms.

Approvals and Listings

Technical Specifications

Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. (UL Listed)

The National Foam bladder tank system shall be a

complete self-contained proportioning system consisting
of a bladder tank, ratio controller, and assembled piping.
The bladder tank shall be an ASME code welded carbon
steel pressure vessel with a working pressure of 175
psi (12 bar). The tank shall be supplied in the vertical
configuration and shall be mounted on full skirt securely

www.Kidde-Fire.com

Factory Mutual (FM)

Technical Information
Materials of Construction:
Tank: Carbon steel, ASME code
Bladder: Thermoplastic vulcanized rubber

Options

Internal Piping: Perforated PVC, Sch. 80

External Piping:

Sight gauge: 1" (38 mm) O.D. polycarbonate with

bronze ball shut-off valve

Water Side: Carbon Steel, Sch. 40, Screwed

Fm. Conc. Side: Brass, Sch. 40, Screwed

Higher tank working pressures

Valves: Ball valve with locking handle,

bronze body, and brass or chrome
plated brass ball

Coal tar epoxy internal coating

Special finishes
Pressure relief valve

Fill Funnel: Polyethylene, 7" diameter cup x

1" male NPT spout

Type 304 or 316 stainless steel piping - screwed or

welded

Ratio Controller: Cast Bronze (85-5-5-5), ASTMB-584 alloy #83600

Fill kit
Automatic concentrate valve

Exterior Finish: Red high solids acrylic polyurethane

Working Pressure: 175 psi (12 bar)

RATIO CONTROLLER

"A"

CONTRACTOR
P.O.C. SEE TABLE 4
FOR RC
CONNECTION
SIZE AND TYPE

CONTRACTOR
P.O.C. SEE TABLE 4
FOR RC
CONNECTION
SIZE AND TYPE

7-3/4

"B"

8-3/4

LIFTING
LUG

FILL FUNNEL
TO BE SCREWED
INTO VALVE #5
SEE NOTE #9

INSTALLATION
INSTRUCTION
LABEL

CHECK
VALVE

WATER
FEED

"H"
"J"

CAUTION LABEL

"G"

U.L. AND
F.M. LABELS

"C"

CONC. LEVEL
CHECK LABEL

3" THRU 8"

RC ASSEMBLY

1A

11-7/8

8
6

2" RC ASSEMBLY

"F"

90
TYP.

"E"
HOLE
(TYP. 4)

Valve
No.
1

"D"
BOLT
CIRCLE

1A

DETAIL A - A

FLOOR ANCHORING DETAIL

9
9

SIGHT GLASS
(OPTIONAL)

7
DETAIL B - B

TABLE 1 - VALVE DESCRIPTION

45
TYP.

1-3/4
5-1/8

"K"

OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS

8
SIGHT GLASS
(OPTIONAL)

Normal Position
Description
Concentrate Shutoff
Auto. Concentrate Shutoff (Optional)

Manual System

Auto. System

Closed

Open

---

Closed

Water Pressure Shutoff

Open

Open

Tank Water Vent

Closed

Closed

Concentrate Vent/Fill

Closed

Closed

Water Drain/Fill

Closed

Closed

Concentrate Drain/Fill

Closed

Closed

Sight Glass (Optional)

Closed

Closed

Sight Glass Supply (Optional)

Open

Open

DETAIL C - C

NPR050

TABLE 2 - CAPACITY AND DIMENSIONS CHART

Capacity
gal. (liters)

25 (95)
36 (136)
50 (189)
100 (379)
150 (568)
200 (757)
300 (1136)
400 (1514)
500 (1892)
600 (2271)
700 (2649)
750 (2839)
800 (3028)
900 (3407)
1000 (3785)
1100 (4164)
1200 (4542)
1300 (4921)
1400 (5300)
1500 (5678)
1600 (6057)
1700 (6435)
1800 (6814)
1900 (7192)
2000 (7571)
2100 (7949)
2200 (8328)
2300 (8706)
2400 (9085)

20 (508)
24 (610)
24 (610)
24 (610)
30 (762)
30 (762)
36 (914)
48 (1219)
48 (1219)
48 (1219)
48 (1219)
48 (1219)
60 (1524)
60 (1524)
60 (1524)
60 (1524)
60 (1524)
60 (1524)
60 (1524)
60 (1524)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)
72 (1829)

22 (559)
24 (610)
24 (610)
24 (610)
27 (686)
27 (686)
30 (762)
36 (914)
36 (914)
36 (914)
37-1/2 (953)
37-1/2 (953)
43-1/2 (1105)
43-1/2 (1105)
43-1/2 (1105)
43-1/2 (1105)
43-1/2 (1105)
43-1/2 (1105)
43-1/2 (1105)
43-1/2 (1105)
49-1/2 (1257)
49-1/2 (1257)
49-1/2 (1257)
49-1/2 (1257)
49-1/2 (1257)
49-1/2 (1257)
49-1/2 (1257)
49-1/2 (1257)
49-1/2 (1257)

46 (1168)
46 (1168)
46 (1168)
85 (2159)
82 (1561)
100 (2540)
103 (2616)
83 (2108)
97 (2464)
112 (2845)
126 (3200)
134 (3404)
102 (2591)
110 (2794)
120 (3048)
130 (3302)
140 (3556)
150 (3810)
158 (4013)
167 (4242)
134 (3404)
140 (3556)
147 (3734)
153 (3886)
160 (4064)
166 (4216)
173 (4394)
179 (4547)
186 (4724)

22-3/4 (578)
22-3/4 (578)
22-3/4 (578)
22-3/4 (578)
27-3/4 (705)
27-3/4 (705)
32-3/4 (832)
41-1/2 (1054)
41-1/2 (1054)
41-1/2 (1054)
41-1/2 (1054)
41-1/2 (1054)
51-1/2 (1308)
51-1/2 (1308)
51-1/2 (1308)
51-1/2 (1308)
51-1/2 (1308)
51-1/2 (1308)
51-1/2 (1308)
51-1/2 (1308)
57-1/2 (1461)
57-1/2 (1461)
57-1/2 (1461)
57-1/2 (1461)
57-1/2 (1461)
57-1/2 (1461)
57-1/2 (1461)
57-1/2 (1461)
57-1/2 (1461)

9/16 (14)
9/16 (14)
9/16 (14)
9/16 (14)
9/16 (14)
9/16 (14)
9/16 (14)
11/16 (17)
11/16 (17)
11/16 (17)
11/16 (17)
11/16 (17)
11/16 (17)
11/16 (17)
13/16 (21)
13/16 (21)
13/16 (21)
13/16 (21)
13/16 (21)
13/16 (21)
13/16 (21)
13/16 (21)
13/16 (21)
13/16 (21)
13/16 (21)
13/16 (21)
13/16 (21)
13/16 (21)
13/16 (21)

4 (102)
4 (102)
4 (102)
4 (102)
4 (102)
4 (102)
4 (102)
4 (102)
4 (102)
4 (102)
4 (102)
4 (102)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)
8 (203)

49 (1245)
50 (1270)
58 (1473)
87 (2210)
86 (2184)
104 (2642)
108 (2743)
91 (2311)
105 (2667)
120 (3048)
134 (3404)
142 (3607)
113 (2870)
122 (3099)
132 (3353)
141 (3581)
150 (3810)
160 (4064)
169 (4293)
178 (4521)
144 (3658)
150 (3810)
157 (3988)
163 (4140)
170 (4318)
176 (4470)
183 (4648)
189 (4801)
196 (4978)

Notes:
1. All dimensions are approximate and may vary slightly.
2. Weights listed apply to empty tanks.
3. All tank and valve openings will be plugged for
shipping.
4. Optional sight glass assembly includes:
Polycarbonate sight glass tube, 1" (38) O.D. open
to atmosphere (vented cap)
Ball shutoff valve
Split pipe clamp w/ threaded rod
5. Fill funnel and optional sight glass tube will be packed
and shipped separately.
6. Optional sight glass level check cannot be performed with
alcohol type AFFF concentrates. Refer to the operating
and maintenance manual for further instructions.
7. Contents label will be supplied to customer by NF and
applied by customer to area provided on caution label.
8. When designing a building to house bladder tanks,
provisions must be to allow for the removal of the
internal piping and bladder. These items are the full
height of tank.
9. Concentrate vent valve #5 will also be used to top off the
concentrate level. A fill funnel will be provided with each
tank for this purpose.
10. For non-standard or special tanks, refer to the tanks
specific outline assembly drawing for details.

TABLE 3 - RC DIMENSIONS
H

3" RC
4" RC
6" RC
8" RC

19
25
27
31

4
4-1/4
5-1/4
7

4-1/2
7
9-11/16
10

TABLE 4 - SUGGESTED RC SIZES FOR SYSTEM FLOWS

Ratio
Cont.
Size
in. (mm)
2 (51)
3 (76)
4 (102)
6 (152)
8 (203)

NPR050

Assembly w/ Spool

Standard
Flow
Range
gpm (lpm)

Special
Flow Range
with AR-AFFF
Foam Conc.
gpm (lpm)

30-180
60-180
(114-681)
(227-681)
70-450
170-450
(265-1703)
(644-1703)
150-1200
320-1200
(568-4542)
(1211-4542)
300-2500
700-2500
(1136-9463)
(2650-9463)
850-5000
1400-5000
(3218-18925) (5300-18925)

Water &
Conc.
Line
Sizes
in. (mm)
1 (25)
1-1/4 (32)
1-1/2 (38)
2 (51)
2-1/2 (64)

Ratio Controller
Connections
in. (mm)
Inlet

Outlet

2 (51)
NPT (F)
3 (76)
FF flg.
4 (102)
FF flg.
6 (152)
FF flg.
8 (203)
FF flg.

2 (51)
NPT (F)
3 (76)
FF flg.
4 (102)
FF flg.
6 (152)
FF flg.
8 (203)
FF flg.
3

Ordering Information
Capacity
gal.

liters

Part Number
w/o sight gauge

Part Number
w/ sight gauge

25
36
50
100
150
200
300
400
500
600
700
750
800
900
1000
1100
1200
1300
1400
1500
1600
1700
1800
1900
2000
2100
2200
2300
2400

95
136
189
379
568
757
1136
1514
1892
2271
2649
2839
3028
3407
3785
4164
4542
4921
5300
5678
6057
6435
6814
7192
7571
7949
8328
8706
9085

1218-2133-6
1218-2133-7
1218-2128-0
1218-2128-1
1218-2128-2
1218-2128-3
1218-2128-4
1218-2128-5
1218-2128-6
1218-2128-7
1218-2128-8
1218-2133-8
1218-2128-9
1218-2129-0
1218-2129-1
1218-2129-2
1218-2129-3
1218-2129-4
1218-2129-5
1218-2129-6
1218-2129-7
1218-2129-8
1218-2129-9
1218-2133-0
1218-2133-1
1218-2133-2
1218-2133-3
1218-2133-4
1218-2133-5

1218-2132-6
1218-2132-7
1218-2130-0
1218-2130-1
1218-2130-2
1218-2130-3
1218-2130-4
1218-2130-5
1218-2130-6
1218-2130-7
1218-2130-8
1218-2132-8
1218-2130-9
1218-2131-0
1218-2131-1
1218-2131-2
1218-2131-3
1218-2131-4
1218-2131-5
1218-2131-6
1218-2131-7
1218-2131-8
1218-2131-9
1218-2132-0
1218-2132-1
1218-2132-2
1218-2132-3
1218-2132-4
1218-2132-5

Empty Weight

Approx. Shipping

lb

kg

ft3

m3

150
220
307
465
620
757
1101
1504
1560
1669
1799
1900
2004
2334
2730
3823
3221
3340
3459
3510
3600
3725
3850
3975
4100
4225
4350
4475
4600

68
100
139
211
281
343
499
682
708
757
816
862
909
1059
1238
1734
1461
1515
1569
1592
1633
1690
1746
1803
1860
1916
1973
2030
2087

20
25
28.3
41.7
66.5
85.6
118.8
157
162.6
203.1
217.1
231.1
245.1
285.3
322.1
353.3
384.5
399
413.1
441.6
475
500
525
550
575
600
625
650
675

0.57
1.71
0.8
1.18
1.88
2.42
3.36
4.45
4.6
5.75
6.15
6.54
6.94
8.08
9.12
10
10.89
11.29
11.7
12.51
13.45
14.16
14.87
15.57
16.28
16.99
17.7
18.41
19.11

RC and Fill Piping for vertical Bladder Tank

Weight

Proportioner
Size

Tank Size
(gal.)

Part
Number

lb

kg

2"
2"
3"
3"
4"
4"
6"
6"
8"
8"

50 to 400
500 to 1500
50 to 400
500 to 1500
50 to 400
500 to 1500
50 to 400
500 to 1500
50 to 400
500 to 1500

5000-4100-0
5000-4110-0
5000-4120-0
5000-4130-0
5000-4140-0
5000-4150-0
5000-4160-0
5000-4170-0
5000-4180-0
5000-4190-0

49
49
110
110
147
147
210
210
323
323

22.23
22.23
49.9
49.9
66.68
66.68
95.26
95.26
146.52
146.52

This information is only a general guideline, and each installation may require modifications to meet the applications or requirements of that situation. The
company reserves the right to change any portion of this information without notice. Terms and conditions of sale apply and are available on request.
02/12 (Rev. K) Printed in U.S.A. (NPR050.INDD)

NATIONAL FOAM
P.O. Box 695 Exton, PA 19341-0695 (610) 363-1400 Fax: (610) 524-9073
www.Kidde-Fire.com