Which statement is correct regarding foam concentrate piping?

Which statement is correct regarding foam concentrate piping?

• A. Pipes carrying foam concentrate shall not be galvanized.
• B. Pipes carrying foam concentrate shall be galvanized.
• C. Pipes carrying foam concentrate can be galvanized if the system is listed.
• D. Foam concentrate piping requires copper tubes.

Answer: (A)

Foam concentrate piping must use materials that won’t react with or contaminate the concentrate. Galvanized coatings are zinc-based and many foam concentrates attack or shed zinc, which can contaminate the foam, foul fittings, and lead to corrosion and leaks. Because of this incompatibility, piping carrying foam concentrate should not be galvanized. Instead, manufacturers and standards specify materials that are compatible with the particular concentrate, often non-galvanized steel, stainless steel, copper (where allowed), or other approved alloys. The other statements fail because galvanizing is not permitted for compatibility reasons, listing does not override chemical compatibility, and there isn’t a universal requirement that copper tubes must be used in all foam systems.

Foam concentrate piping must use materials that won’t react with or contaminate the concentrate. Galvanized coatings are zinc-based and many foam concentrates attack or shed zinc, which can contaminate the foam, foul fittings, and lead to corrosion and leaks. Because of this incompatibility, piping carrying foam concentrate should not be galvanized. Instead, manufacturers and standards specify materials that are compatible with the particular concentrate, often non-galvanized steel, stainless steel, copper (where allowed), or other approved alloys. The other statements fail because galvanizing is not permitted for compatibility reasons, listing does not override chemical compatibility, and there isn’t a universal requirement that copper tubes must be used in all foam systems.