Safco Italia S4 Low Expansion Foam Nozzle 400 l/min

A stainless steel foam branch with a built-in shut-off valve

The Safco Italia S4 is a low expansion foam nozzle with a stainless steel body and a soft rubber handle. An aluminium shut-off valve lets the crew open and close the foam stream at the branch, and the nozzle is stated to comply with EN 16712-3.

It is the 400 l/min size of a two-model range (S2 and S4). In general, low expansion foam is the type used to lay a foam blanket over a liquid fuel surface; the nozzle is fed with foam solution from an inline mixer such as the Series Z mixers by the same manufacturer.

Technical specifications

Dimensions and weights are given by the maker without the coupling. A coupling will add to the length and weight.

S2 or S4: matching the nozzle to the mixer

The two sizes differ only in capacity, length and weight. Pair the nozzle with a mixer whose rated flow is the same: an S4 at 400 l/min with a 400 l/min mixer, an S2 at 200 l/min with a 200 l/min mixer. The Series Z family lists matching Z2 and Z4 sizes.

The nozzle is a stand-alone hand branch. If you need medium expansion foam for filling enclosed volumes, see the medium expansion nozzle in the same range in the Fire Fighting category.

Handling and care

General engineering note (not from the sheet): flush a foam nozzle with clean water after use, keep the valve operating freely, and check the coupling gasket and thread before each deployment. Follow the instructions supplied with the unit and your fire safety authority procedures.

When you specify an S-series nozzle, state four things in the inquiry: the flow (200 or 400 l/min), the coupling standard, the foam concentrate type and the mixer it will be fed from. The Series Z mixer from the same manufacturer has a 2 inch connection and a 0-0.5-1-3-6 % dial, which matches the 2 inch male thread of the nozzle. The sheet lists the S4 at 855 mm without coupling, about 167 mm longer than the S2, so check the space available if the branch will be stored in a vehicle locker.

The sheet does not print an operating pressure, expansion ratio or discharge range for the nozzle, so those values are not given here. We will request them from the manufacturer if they are needed for your design.

Foam solution and concentrate use at 400 l/min

The S4 discharges foam solution at 400 l/min, so the concentrate it consumes depends only on the percentage set on the mixer feeding it. Calculated from the rated flow (not printed on the sheet): at 1 % the branch uses about 4 l of concentrate per minute, at 3 % about 12 l/min, and at 6 % about 24 l/min. A 20 l can of 3 % concentrate therefore supports less than two minutes of continuous discharge at full flow, which is useful to know when planning how many cans or drums travel with the branch.

The S2 at 200 l/min halves these figures. That is one reason crews with limited concentrate stock sometimes choose the smaller branch, accepting a lower application rate in exchange for a longer discharge time. The right choice depends on the fuel surface area, the concentrate type and the application rate set by your fire protection design.

EN 16712-3 and what it covers

EN 16712 is the European standard series for portable equipment that projects extinguishing agents supplied by fire-fighting pumps, and part 3 deals with foam branchpipes. The maker states that the S4 complies with this part. When a project specification calls for EN 16712-3 branches, ask for the declaration of conformity with the quotation so that it can be filed with the equipment register.

Inspection and storage on site

General engineering note (not from the sheet): after every use, run clean water through the branch until no foam appears, operate the aluminium shut-off valve several times, and let the branch drain fully before storage. Check the 2 inch male thread for damage and keep a protective cap on it. In the high temperatures and dust typical of Oman and the GCC, store the branch in a closed locker or vehicle compartment, and include it in the periodic flow test of the foam system so that the operator handles it regularly.

For a quotation, give the quantity, the coupling standard (UNI as standard, or STORZ, DSP or BSS), the flow size and whether a matching Series Z mixer is needed in the same order.

Items usually ordered with the S4

Most buyers order the branch as part of a set rather than on its own. The usual companions are a Series Z inline mixer of the same flow, lined delivery hose of the right diameter with matching couplings, adaptors when the fire station or plant uses mixed coupling standards, and a stock of foam concentrate. A medium expansion M4 branch is often added to the same set, because both branch families share the 2 inch male thread and can be fed from the same mixer, which keeps spare parts and training simple for the crew.

Documents and quotation

The manufacturer sheet (English) is attached. Please tell us the coupling standard (UNI, STORZ, DSP or BSS) and flow rate required so that the quotation shows the right configuration.