oSIST prEN 1568-4:2025

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-maj-2025
Gasila - Penila - 4. del: Specifikacija za penila za težko peno za površinsko
uporabo pri tekočinah, topnih v vodi
Fire extinguishing media - Foam concentrates - Part 4: Specification for low expansion
foam concentrates for surface application to water-miscible liquids
Feuerlöschmittel - Schaummittel - Teil 4: Anforderungen an Schaummittel zur Erzeugung
von Schwerschaum zum Aufgeben auf mit Wasser mischbare Flüssigkeiten
Agents extincteurs - Émulseurs - Partie 4 : Spécifications pour les émulseurs bas
foisonnement destinés à une application à la surface de liquides ayant une affinité pour
l'eau
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 1568-4
ICS:
13.220.10 Gašenje požara Fire-fighting
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 1568-4
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
March 2025
ICS Will supersede EN 1568-4:2018
English Version
Fire extinguishing media - Foam concentrates - Part 4:
Specification for low expansion foam concentrates for
surface application to water-miscible liquids
Agents extincteurs - Émulseurs - Partie 4 : Feuerlöschmittel - Schaummittel - Teil 4:
Spécifications pour les émulseurs bas foisonnement Anforderungen an Schaummittel zur Erzeugung von
destinés à une application à la surface de liquides ayant Schwerschaum zum Aufgeben auf mit Wasser
une affinité pour l'eau mischbare Flüssigkeiten
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 191.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations
which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 1568-4:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

prEN 1568-4:2025 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 5
Introduction. 6
1 Scope . 7
2 Normative references . 7
3 Terms and definitions . 8
4 Sediment in the foam concentrate. 10
4.1 Sediment before ageing . 10
4.2 Sediment after ageing . 10
5 Freezing point . 10
6 Viscosity of the foam concentrate . 10
6.1 Test temperatures . 10
6.2 Newtonian foam concentrates . 10
6.3 Pseudo-plastic foam concentrates . 10
7 pH of the foam concentrate . 10
8 Surface tension of the foam solution . 10
9 Stability/separation test of foam concentrate . 11
10 Determination of expansion and drainage time . 11
10.1 Before temperature conditioning . 11
10.2 After temperature conditioning . 11
11 Test fire performance . 11
12 Occupation health and ecotoxicological information . 12
13 Annual foam quality check . 12
13.1 General . 12
13.2 Principles . 13
13.3 Types of analysis . 13
14 Expansion performance comparison test . 14
15 Technical information sheet. 14
16 Container marking . 14
Annex A (informative) Grades of foam concentrate . 16
Annex B (normative) Sampling of foam concentrates . 17
Annex C (normative) Determination of percentage sediment . 18
C.1 Sampling . 18
C.2 Apparatus . 18
C.3 Procedure . 18
Annex D (normative) Freezing point determination . 19
D.1 General . 19
D.2 Apparatus . 19
D.3 Procedure . 19
D.4 Example of a temperature against time curve for evaluation . 20
Annex E (normative) Determination of viscosity for pseudo-plastic foam concentrates . 21
prEN 1568-4:2025 (E)
E.1 Pseudo-plastic foam concentrates . 21
E.2 Viscosity determination . 21
Annex F (normative) Temperature conditioning of foam concentrates . 23
F.1 General . 23
F.2 Low temperature conditioning . 23
F.3 High-temperature conditioning . 23
F.4 Division into top and bottom half-samples . 24
Annex G (normative) Determination of surface tension . 26
G.1 Solution of foam concentrate . 26
G.2 Procedure — Surface tension. 26
Annex H (normative) Stability/Separation test of foam concentrate . 27
H.1 General . 27
H.2 Apparatus . 27
H.3 Procedure . 27
Annex I (normative) Determination of expansion and drainage time . 28
I.1 Apparatus . 28
I.2 Temperature conditions . 28
I.3 Procedure . 28
I.4 Simulated fresh and sea water . 29
Annex J (normative) Determination of test fire performance . 34
J.1 General . 34
J.2 General conditions . 34
J.3 Fire test . 36
Annex K (normative) Occupational health and ecotoxicological testing . 38
Annex L (informative) Description of a radiation measurement method . 39
L.1 Evaluation . 39
L.2 General arrangement of test . 39
L.3 Technical data for radiometers . 40
L.4 Procedure . 41
Annex M (informative) Small-scale fire test . 43
M.1 Apparatus . 43
M.2 Test procedure . 44
Annex N (informative) Annual foam quality check . 53
N.1 Visual examination . 53
N.2 Density . 53
N.3 pH-value . 53
N.4 Sediment . 55
N.5 Viscosity . 55
prEN 1568-4:2025 (E)
N.6 Refractive index . 55
N.7 25 %-drainage time and expansion ratio . 56
N.8 Resistance to isopropanol . 56
Annex O (normative) Determination of foam expansion sensitivity . 57
O.1 General . 57
O.2 General conditions . 57
O.3 Apparatus . 58
O.4 Test procedure . 59
O.5 Test report . 59
O.6 Figures . 60
Annex P (informative) Example of a technical information sheet . 69
Annex Q (informative) A-Deviations . 72
Bibliography . 74

prEN 1568-4:2025 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 1568-4:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 191 “Fixed
firefighting systems”, the secretariat of which is held by BSI.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
This document will supersede EN 1568-4:2018.
This document includes the following significant technical changes with respect to EN 1568-4:2018:
 Determination of solid deposits for synthetic foams and protein foams clarified;
 Optional annual foam quality check introduced;
 Temperature and wind speed measurements for performance fire test clarified;
 Stainless steel as optional material for small-scale fire test fire tray introduced;
 Foam expansion performance test introduced;
 Some test procedures clarified.
This document is Part 4 of EN 1568 which has the general title Fire extinguishing media — Foam
concentrates. The other parts are:
 Part 1: Specification for medium expansion foam concentrates for surface application to water-
immiscible liquids;
 Part 2: Specification for high expansion foam concentrates for surface application to water-immiscible
liquids;
 Part 3: Specification for low expansion foam concentrates for surface application to water-immiscible
liquids.
This European Standard is one of a series of standards specifying requirements for fire extinguishing
media in common use. This series includes the following standards:
 EN ISO 5923, Equipment for fire protection and fire fighting — Fire extinguishing media — Carbon
dioxide (ISO 5923);
 EN 27201-1, Fire protection — Fire extinguishing media — Halogenated hydrocarbons — Part 1:
Specifications for halon 1211 and halon 1301 (ISO 7201-1);
 EN 27201-2, Fire protection — Fire extinguishing media — Halogenated hydrocarbons — Part 2: Code of
practice for safe handling and transfer procedures (ISO 7201-2);
 EN 615, Fire protection — Fire extinguishing media — Specifications for powders (other than class D
powders).
prEN 1568-4:2025 (E)
Introduction
As fire-fighting foams are chemical agents or chemical preparations, Commission Directive 2006/60/CE
and Regulations (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) and No 1907/2006 (REACH) apply and need to be taken into
account.
Classes of fire are defined in EN 2 as follows:
 Class A: fires involving solid materials, usually of an organic nature, in which combustion normally
takes place with the formation of glowing embers;
 Class B: fires involving liquids or liquefiable solids;
 Class C: fires involving gases;
 Class D: fires involving metals;
 Class F: fires involving cooking media (vegetable or animal oils and fats) in cooking appliances.
Fire-fighting foams are widely used to control and extinguish Class B fires and to inhibit re-ignition. These
foams can also be used for prevention of ignition of flammable liquids and, in certain conditions, to
extinguish Class A fires.
Foams can be used in combination with other extinguishing media, particularly gaseous media and
powders, which are the subject of other European Standards (see the European foreword).
These specifications have been designed to ensure that fire extinguishing media have the minimum useful
fire fighting capability. The user should ensure that the foam concentrates are used accurately at the
concentration recommended by the manufacturer. Fire performances indicated by this standard cannot
replicate practical fire situations.
Foam concentrates of different types and manufacture should not be mixed.
Some combinations of extinguishing powder and foam can lead to unacceptable loss of efficiency, caused
by unfavourable interaction of the chosen media when applied simultaneously or successively to the fire.
It is extremely important that the foam concentrate after dilution with water to the recommended
concentration does not in normal usage present a significant toxic hazard to life in relation to the
environment. Commission Directive 2006/60/CE and Regulations (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP) and
No 1907/2006 (REACH) apply when considering the testing of ecotoxicological properties and safety in
the work environment.
A special quality characteristic is the type test conducted by an independent testing laboratory accredited
to EN ISO/IEC 17025.
prEN 1568-4:2025 (E)
1 Scope
This document specifies requirements for chemical and physical properties, and minimum performance
requirements of low expansion foams suitable for surface application to water-miscible liquids.
Requirements are also specified for marking.
IMPORTANT — The fire performance is tested using acetone and isopropanol as the fuel, which also
forms the basis for the performance classification. However, there are a large number of water-miscible
liquids which have more or less different properties to acetone and isopropanol. It has been shown by
tests using other fuels that the performance of various foams can differ considerably. Examples of such
fuel is Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK). It is therefore essential that the user checks for any unfavourable or
unacceptable loss of efficiency when the foam is used against fires in any other water-miscible fuels than
acetone and isopropanol respectively. The fire test conditions and procedure given in Clause J.2 can be
used in order to achieve results comparative with acetone and isopropanol respectively and related
requirements.
It is also essential for the user to note that other fuel depths and methods of application than those
specified in Clause J.2 can cause considerable loss of efficiency and these matters should be carefully
considered by the user when assessing the suitability for particular applications.
WARNING — Any type approval according to this standard is invalidated by any change in
composition of the approved product.
NOTE Some concentrates conforming to this document can also conform to other parts and therefore can also
be suitable for application as medium and/or high expansion foams.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 13565 (all parts), Fixed firefighting systems — Foam systems
EN ISO 2811-1, Paints and varnishes - Determination of density - Part 1: Pycnometer method (ISO 2811-1)
EN ISO 3104, Petroleum products - Transparent and opaque liquids - Determination of kinematic viscosity
and calculation of dynamic viscosity (ISO 3104)
EN ISO 3219-2:2021, Rheology - Part 2: General principles of rotational and oscillatory rheometry (ISO
3219-2:2021)
EN ISO 3675, Crude petroleum and liquid petroleum products - Laboratory determination of density -
Hydrometer method (ISO 3675)
EN ISO 11348-2, Water quality - Determination of the inhibitory effect of water samples on the light
emission of Vibrio fischeri (Luminescent bacteria test) - Part 2: Method using liquid-dried bacteria (ISO
11348-2)
EN ISO 23753-1, Soil quality - Determination of dehydrogenases activity in soils - Part 1: Method using
triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) (ISO 23753-1:2019)
ISO 304, Surface active agents — Determination of surface tension by drawing up liquid films
ISO 3310-1, Test sieves — Technical requirements and testing — Part 1: Test sieves of metal wire cloth
prEN 1568-4:2025 (E)
OECD 201, Test No. 201: Freshwater Alga and Cyanobacteria, Growth Inhibition Test
OECD 202, Test No. 202: Daphnia sp. Acute Immobilisation Test
OECD 203, Test No. 203: Fish, Acute Toxicity Test
OECD 301, Test No. 301: Ready Biodegradability
OECD 404, Test No. 404: Acute Dermal Irritation/Corrosion
OECD 405, Test No. 405: Acute Eye Irritation/Corrosion
OECD 420, Test No. 420: Acute Oral Toxicity – Fixed Dose Procedure
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
 IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
 ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
3.1
25 %/50 % drainage time
time taken for 25 %/50 % of the volume of the original foam solution to drain out of the generated foam
3.2
expansion (E)
expansion value
expansion ratio
ratio of the volume of foam to the volume of the foam solution from which it was made
3.3
low expansion foam
foam which has an expansion ratio less than 20
3.4
medium expansion foam
foam which has an expansion ratio greater than or equal to 20 but less than 200
3.5
high expansion foam
foam which has an expansion ratio greater than or equal to 200
3.6
fire-fighting foam
aggregate of air-filled bubbles formed from a foam solution used for fire fighting
3.7
foam concentrate
liquid which is diluted with water to produce foam solution
Note 1 to entry: Annex A gives information on grades of foam concentrate.
prEN 1568-4:2025 (E)
3.8
foam solution
homogeneous mixture of foam concentrate and water in the proportions as specified by the foam
concentrate manufacturer
3.9
premix
foam solution prepared in a batch process by introducing a measured amount of foam concentrate into a
given amount of water in a storage
3.10
sediment
insoluble particles in the foam concentrate
3.11
Newtonian foam concentrates
foam concentrates which have a viscosity which is independent of the shear rate
3.12
pseudo-plastic foam concentrates
foam concentrates which have a viscosity which decreases with increasing shear rate
3.13
surface tension
tension within the interface between a liquid and air
3.14
freezing point
temperature at which the first ingredient of a mixture starts to solidify or freeze out
3.15
designation
identifying name
name that corresponds to a chemical formulation and a specific production process
Note 1 to entry: The designation guarantees consistency of the characteristics, performance and conditions of
use of the foam concentrate.
3.16
demineralized water
−1
water conforming to EN ISO 3696 (Grade 3), or having a surface tension greater than 70 mN⋅m and a
−1
conductivity of ≤ 5 μS⋅cm
Note 1 to entry: Surface tension tested in accordance with Clause G.2.
3.17
qualified personnel
designated individual, suitably trained, competent through knowledge and practical experience and with
the necessary instruction to enable the tests and examinations to be carried out
3.17
gentle application
application (of foam from the test nozzle) indirectly to the surface of the fuel from a backboard
prEN 1568-4:2025 (E)
Note 1 to entry: This definition of gentle application relates to the fire test procedures used in EN 1568-3 and
EN 1568-4. In practice fire-fighting systems foam can also be applied gently by fixed foam pourers or by indirect
application via a tank wall or other surface.
4 Sediment in the foam concentrate
4.1 Sediment before ageing
Any sediment in the foam concentrate sampled in accordance with Annex B, but not aged in accordance
with Clause C.1, shall be dispersible through a 180 μm sieve, and the percentage volume of sediment shall
be not more than 0,25 % when tested in accordance with Annex C.
4.2 Sediment after ageing
Any sediment in the foam concentrate sampled in accordance with Annex B, and aged in accordance with
Clause C.1, shall be dispersible through a 180 μm sieve and the percentage volume of sediment shall be
not more than 1,0 % when tested in accordance with Annex C.
5 Freezing point
The freezing point of the foam concentrate sampled in accordance with Annex B shall be determined in
accordance with Annex D.
6 Viscosity of the foam concentrate
6.1 Test temperatures
The viscosity of the foam concentrate shall be measured from 20 °C up to and including the lowest
temperature for use claimed by the manufacturer in steps of 10 °C. Use a fresh sample for each
temperature.
6.2 Newtonian foam concentrates
The viscosity of the foam concentrate shall be determined in accordance with EN ISO 3104. If the viscosity
2 –1
is > 200 mm s , the container shall be marked in accordance with Clause 14, item j).
6.3 Pseudo-plastic foam concentrates
The viscosity of the foam concentrate shall be determined in accordance with Annex E. If the viscosity at
−1
the lowest temperature for use is greater than or equal to 120 mPa·s at 375 s , the container shall be
marked in accordance with Clause 14, item k).
7 pH of the foam concentrate
The pH of the foam concentrate sampled in accordance with Annex B shall be not less than 6,0 and not
more than 9,5 at (20 ± 1) °C.
8 Surface tension of the foam solution
The surface tension (determined in accordance with Clause G.2) of the foam solutions prepared using top
and bottom half-samples (see Clause F.4) of the foam concentrate sampled in accordance with Annex B
and conditioned in accordance with Annex F shall be not less than 0,95 times and not more than
1,05 times the surface tension of the foam solution prepared using the sampled foam concentrate.
prEN 1568-4:2025 (E)
9 Stability/separation test of foam concentrate
The foam concentrate shall not separate, stratify or precipitate as indicated by two or more distinct layers
when tested in accordance with Annex H.
The amount of solid deposits of the aged sample determined according to Annex C at 20 °C in synthetic
foams shall not increase from the fresh sample.
The amount of solid deposits of the aged sample determined according to Annex C at 20 °C in protein
foams shall not increase by more than 4 times the amount obtained from the fresh sample, and shall not
exceed a volume fraction of 1 % in total.
10 Determination of expansion and drainage time
10.1 Before temperature conditioning
The foam produced from the foam solution prepared from the foam concentrate sampled in accordance
with Annex B, at the supplier’s recommended concentration with simulated fresh water in accordance
with Clause I.4, shall be tested in accordance with Annex I and give an expansion according to 3.3. If
appropriate, a further sample of the same concentration made with the simulated sea water in accordance
with Clause I.4 shall also be tested.
10.2 After temperature conditioning
The foams produced from the solutions prepared with simulated fresh water by using top and bottom
half-samples (see Clause F.4) of foam concentrate sampled in accordance with Annex B at the supplier’s
recommended concentration, when tested in accordance with Annex I, shall have the following:
a) expansions which do not differ from each other or from the value obtained according to 10.1 using
simulated fresh water (i.e. before temperature conditioning) by more than 20 % of the value
obtained according to 10.1 using simulated fresh water; and
b) 25 % drainage times which do not differ from each other or from the value obtained according to
10.1 using simulated fresh water (i.e. before temperature conditioning) by more than 20 % of the
value obtained according to 10.1 using simulated fresh water.
If appropriate, the tests shall be repeated using top and bottom half-samples (see Clause F.4) of foam
concentrate, sampled in accordance with Annex B at the supplier’s recommended concentration, using
foam solutions prepared with the simulated sea water in accordance with Clause I.4. These foam
solutions shall have the following:
c) expansions which do not differ from each other or from the value obtained according to 10.1 using
the simulated sea water (i.e. before temperature conditioning) by more than 20 % of the value
obtained according to 10.1 using the simulated sea water in accordance with Clause I.4; and
d) 25 % drainage times which do not differ from each other or from the value obtained according to
10.1 using the simulated sea water (i.e. before temperature conditioning) by more than 20 % of the
value obtained according to 10.1 using the simulated sea water in accordance with Clause I.4.
NOTE Expansion is dependent on the foam concentrate and the equipment used to make the foam.
11 Test fire performance
The foam produced from the foam solutions prepared using the foam concentrate sampled in accordance
with Annex B at the supplier's recommended concentration with simulated fresh water in accordance
prEN 1568-4:2025 (E)
with Clause I.4, and if appropriate at the same concentration with the simulated sea water in accordance
with Clause I.4, shall have an extinguishing performance class and burn-back resistance level as specified
in Table 1 when tested in accordance with Clause J.2 and Clause J.3.
NOTE 1 The values obtained with sea water can differ from those obtained with simulated fresh water.
NOTE 2 Annex M describes a small-scale fire test which can be suitable for quality control purposes.
NOTE 3 The lack of homogeneity of the premix can influence the firefighting performance of the foam generated
from it.
Table 1 — Extinguishing performance classes and burn-back resistance levels
Extinguishing 25 % Burn-back Extinction time not 25 % Burn-back
performance class resistance level more than time not less than
min min
A 3 15
I B 3 10
C 3 5
A 5 15
II B 5 10
C 5 5
12 Occupation health and ecotoxicological information
The manufacturer shall provide information as specified in Annex K.
If the data for the ecotoxicological report was generated by a third party, this data may be added to the
test report or may added as a reference. If the data for the ecotoxicological report was generated by
mathematical means (or as a reference) it shall be added to the test report.
If the toxicological/ecotoxicological data were generated by application of mathematical methodologies
in accordance with Annex K the corresponding report shall be added to the report confirming conformity
with this document.
If the toxicological/ecotoxicological data were generated by an independent third party the data may be
added to the report confirming conformity to this document either as a report or as a reference to the
report-ID given by the third party.
13 Annual foam quality check
13.1 General
Firefighting foam concentrates are recommended to be checked annually for their quality, indicating their
functionality. The test program described in 13.2 is considered to be a collection of analytical methods
which in its entirety is suitable to detect degradation or a declining function of a foam concentrate.
The outcome of the annual foam quality check described in 13.2 is intended to be used to qualify or
disqualify a foam concentrate for its further usability. Therefore, the quality of testing and evaluation of
test data is a special quality characteristic of the body executing the foam quality check.
prEN 1568-4:2025 (E)
13.2 Principles
13.2.1 The sample of the foam concentrate(s) shall be collected in such a way, that the sample is
representative of the stored volume.
13.2.2 A full declaration of the foam product’s identity, hazards associated with it [see section 2 of the
most recent material safety data sheet (MSDS)], as well as information on PFAS content, proportioning
rate, age, storage condition and possible contaminations shall be given.
13.2.3 For foam concentrates which can be used as low, medium and high expansion foam the desired
testing expansion shall be specified as well as the water quality (simulated fresh or sea water) to be used.
13.2.4 Packing and labelling of foam concentrate samples is subject to European regulation on packaging
and labelling of chemical mixtures (Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, CLP, e.g. Article 35).
13.2.5 The equipment for testing shall be calibrated and maintained in full function.
13.2.6 The foam concentrate sample should be processed as it was received. If stratification,
sedimentation or other inhomogeneities are visible, that sample shall not be homogenised prior to
testing. Instead, the sample may be considered as a fail.
13.2.7 A comprehensive test report with all tested results should be provided. The report may include
evaluation of the obtained results and further recommendations. If this is the case, this shall be indicated
as an evaluation of the data based on the experience and knowledge of the body executing the foam
quality test.
13.2.8 The test data shall be compared with the technical data of the respective foam concentrate given
by the manufacturer.
13.3 Types of analysis
Table 2 indicates the type of analysis that should be run for a given type of foam concentrate. Annex N
gives test descriptions and requirements.
Table 2 — Types of analysis
AR non-AR medium high
expansion expansion
application application
Visual examination X X X X
Density at (20 ± 1) °C X X X X
pH-value at (20 ± 1) °C X X X X
Sediment at (20 ± 1) °C X X X X
Viscosity at (20 ± 1) °C X X X X
Refractive index at (20 ± 1) °C X X X X
25 %-drainage, low expansion X X — —
foam
25 %-drainage, medium — — X —
expansion foam
prEN 1568-4:2025 (E)
AR non-AR medium high
expansion expansion
application application
25 %-drainage, high expansion — — — X
foam
expansion, low expansion foam X X — —
expansion, medium expansion — — X —
foam
expansion, high expansion — — — X
foam
Resistance to isopropanol X — — —

14 Expansion performance comparison test
The extinguishing performance of foams is influenced by the foam expansion ratio.
For foams of the type F3-AR (fire extinguishing performance class I and class II) fire extinguishing tests
shall be performed according to Annex O, Table O.1 a) and b), to determine the degree of the performance
impact caused by changing the expansion ratio.
Foams that are claimed by the manufacturer to be suitable for use in fixed firefighting systems according
to EN 13565 (all parts) shall additionally be tested according to Annex O, Table O.1 c).
The records of the tests (O.2.3) and the test results should be made available to the end user according to
Clause O.5.
15 Technical information sheet
The manufacturer should provide information for the foam concentrate. An example of the type of
information provided in a manufacturer's technical information sheet is given in Annex P.
16 Container marking
Markings on shipping containers should be permanent and legible. The following information shall be
marked on the packaging or transport container:
a) the designation (identifying name) of the concentrate;
b) the words “low expansion fire-fighting foam concentrate” and the number and publication date of
this document (i.e. EN 1568-4:2025);
NOTE 1 For low expansion concentrates which also conform to other parts of the EN 1568 series additional
markings can be used as specified in those parts.
c) recommended usage concentration (mostly commonly 1 %, 3 % or 6 %);
d) recommended maximum storage temperature, lowest temperature for use and freezing point;
e) if the manufacturer advises that the foam concentrate is adversely affected by low temperature
storage according to Annex F, the words “Do not freeze”;
prEN 1568-4:2025 (E)
f) the nominal quantity in the container;
g) the supplier's name and address;
h) the batch number and the date of manufacture;
i) the words “Not suitable for use with sea water” or “Suitable for use with sea water” as appropriate;
j) if the foam concentrate is Newtonian and the viscosity at the lowest temperature for use is greater
2 -1
than 200 mm s when measured in accordance with EN ISO 3104 the words “This concentrate can
require special proportioning equipment”;
k) if the foam concentrate is pseudo-plastic and the viscosity at the lowest temperature for use is greater
−1
than or equal to 120 mPa·s at 375 s the words “Pseudo-plastic foam concentrate. This concentrate
can require special proportioning equipment”;
l) the lowest extinguishing performance class and the lowest burn-back resistance level obtained with
all fuels in simulated fresh water and sea water.
NOTE 2 The marking of shipping containers shipped to laboratories for testing are exempt from this
requirement.
prEN 1568-4:2025 (E)
Annex A
(informative)
Grades of foam concentrate
Foam concentrates are graded as follows:
a) protein foam concentrates (P): these are liquids derived from hydrolysed protein materials;
b) fluoroprotein foam concentrates (FP): these are protein concentrates with added fluorinated surface
active agents;
c) synthetic foam concentrates (S): these are based upon mixtures of hydrocarbon surface-active agents
and do not contain fluoroorganic compounds;
d) alcohol-resistant foam concentrates (AR): these can be suitable for use on hydrocarbon fuels, and
additionally are resistant to breakdown when applied to the surface of water-miscible liquid fuels.
Some alcohol-resistant foam concentrates can precipitate a polymeric membrane on the surface of
alcohol;
e) aqueous film-forming foam concentrates (AFFF): these are based on mixtures of hydrocarbon
surfactants and fluorinated surface active agents and have the ability to
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