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CHEVRON FIRE TEST PROGRAM We are pleased to present you with a copy of the test results following the recent foam agent testing conducted by Chevron Corporation & The American Petroleum Institute (API). This programme was designed to evaluate eight foam concentrates, (one each from Buckeye, Ansul, Akron, Verde, Kidde, Williams, Angus & Chemguard), that are available to Chevron as a replacement for the 3M A.F.F.F/ATC that is currently in inventory, but which will be phased out by December 2001. Chevron looked at three or four facilities before settling on the Buckeye Fire Equipment Fire Test Center in Kings Mountain, NC. They felt that this facility met every requirement to ensure successful testing. The building was designed to contain a 50 sq. ft. fire pan, while fuel, smoke & foam can be properly disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner. All testing was carried out by an independent organization to ensure impartiality. Buckeye Fire Equipment Company had the highest pass-rate, extinguishing all but one of the fires. You will note from the test results that the Buckeye 3% AR-A.F.F.F. concentrate failed the isopropyl alcohol (IPA) fire. This was a surprise to us, since we had already passed the U.L. fire test for I.P.A. On investigation, we found an error in the written procedure for manufacturing the product that prevented the polysaccharide from properly mixing, thus degrading the performance of the product on polar solvents. This error was immediately corrected; all affected foam concentrate was collected and turned into a training foam. No affected foam concentrate found its way into the market place. We then repeated all of the fire tests to ensure that the consistency of the product remained, once the polysaccharide was properly mixed. All fires were successfully extinguished. Buckeye Fire Equipment was honored to have been a participant in this programme and we thank Chevron for allowing us to be part of the investigation. Buckeye is relatively new to the Foam Market place but based on these test results, Buckeye has a quality product to offer its customers. Chevron took the lead in looking at replacements for the 3M product and based on this test programme, The Buckeye Foam Concentrates will be a primary choice. ( Click Here for this Report ) For
any questions or concerns, please contact Buckeye Fire Equipment Co. |