CA-FIRE Protection · Foam Bladder Tank Series

Horizontal Foam Bladder Tank — PHYM Series

Low-profile hydraulic foam proportioning · 0.5–13.0 m³ · 4–360 L/s · DN80–DN250 · ±0.3% Accuracy · No Electricity · NFPA 11 / GB · Underground & Shipboard Installations

PHYM Series 4–360 L/s 0.5–13.0 m³ Low Profile No Electricity NFPA 11 ISO 9001

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PHYM Series Horizontal Foam Bladder Tank — saddle-mounted, low-profile configuration

Product Overview

Horizontal Foam Bladder Tank

PHYM Series · Low-Profile Pressure Proportioning

Tank Volume

0.5–13.0 m³

Flow Range

4–360 L/s

Pipe Diameter

DN80 – DN250

Working Pressure

0.6–1.2 MPa

Mix Accuracy

±0.3%

Mixing Ratio

3% or 6%

Test Pressure

1.5 MPa

Electricity

None required

NFPA 11 NFPA 16 GB 50151 ISO 9001 CE

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Key Features

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Low-Profile Design — Installs Where Vertical Tanks Cannot

The defining advantage of the horizontal foam bladder tank is its reduced installed height. Saddle-mounted on a floor-level foundation, the PHYM series fits inside underground pump rooms, basement plant rooms, shipboard suppression spaces and any location where ceiling height prevents a vertical tank. Weight is distributed across two saddle points — reducing foundation load concentration compared to a vertical base-mounted unit.

Underground · Basement · Shipboard

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±0.3% Mixing Accuracy — Across Full 4–360 L/s Range

The PHYM proportioner maintains foam concentrate delivery within ±0.3% of the rated 3% or 6% mixing ratio across the full operating flow range — passively, without electronic controls or operator intervention. The bladder's hydraulic balance mechanism holds the ratio stable across the complete 0.6–1.2 MPa working pressure range, exceeding NFPA 11 proportioning accuracy requirements.

Exceeds NFPA 11 · No Electronics

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Bladder Isolation — Concentrate Preserved & Reusable

The internal rubber bladder physically separates foam concentrate from the pressurised water supply at all times — preventing water ingress into the concentrate, which is the primary cause of concentrate degradation in open-tank proportioning systems. After a partial activation, unused concentrate remains in the bladder in full condition, ready for reuse at the next activation without replacement. Foam concentrate shelf life: typically 10–25 years depending on type.

No Contamination · 10–25yr Shelf Life

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Fully Customisable — Volume, Pipe Size & Flow to Order

CA-FIRE configures each PHYM horizontal foam bladder tank to the hydraulic model of your suppression system. Tank volume (0.5–13.0 m³), main pipe diameter (DN80–DN250) and proportioner flow rating (4–360 L/s) are all adjustable — matching required discharge duration and peak flow exactly per NFPA 11, NFPA 16 or GB 50151. Free hydraulic sizing support included for every project.

0.5–13.0 m³ · DN80–DN250 · Free Sizing

What's Included — Complete System Supply

Every CA-FIRE horizontal foam bladder tank is supplied as a complete, ready-to-install system. No sourcing individual components from separate suppliers.

Pressure Vessel (Horizontal)

Carbon steel body, fusion-bonded epoxy internal lining. Hydrostatically tested to 1.5 MPa before despatch.

Internal Rubber Bladder

EPDM / NBR rubber bladder — physically separates foam concentrate from water supply. Replaceable in-situ.

Proportioner Assembly

Hydraulic in-line proportioner — no electricity, no moving electronics. Calibrated to ±0.3% at rated flow.

Isolation Valves

Full-bore inlet, outlet and bypass isolation valves. Allows safe maintenance without system shutdown.

Pressure Gauges & Safety Valve

Inlet and outlet pressure gauges, safety pressure relief valve pre-set to system design pressure.

Level Indicator & Documentation

Foam concentrate level indicator. Full system documentation: datasheet, test certificate, installation manual and operation guide.

PHYM Series — Model Parameters & Specifications

Select the PHYM model matching your system design flow rate. Tank volume and pipe diameter are customised to each project — contact CA-FIRE for hydraulic sizing at no charge.

Model	Inlet Flow (L/s) 3% Ratio	Inlet Flow (L/s) 6% Ratio	Foam Output (L/s) 3% Ratio	Foam Output (L/s) 6% Ratio	Mixed Solution (L/s)	Working Pressure (MPa)	Tank Volume (m³)	Main Pipe DN
PHYM 4	4	4	0.12	0.24	4–120	0.6–1.2	0.5–13.0	DN80–DN250
PHYM 8	8	8	0.24	0.48	4–120	0.6–1.2	0.5–13.0	DN80–DN250
PHYM 16	16	16	0.48	0.96	4–120	0.6–1.2	0.5–13.0	DN80–DN250
PHYM 24	24	24	0.72	1.44	4–120	0.6–1.2	0.5–13.0	DN80–DN250
PHYM 32	32	32	0.96	1.92	4–120	0.6–1.2	0.5–13.0	DN80–DN250
PHYM 48	48	48	1.44	2.88	4–120	0.6–1.2	0.5–13.0	DN80–DN250
PHYM 64	64	64	1.92	3.48	4–120	0.6–1.2	0.5–13.0	DN80–DN250
PHYM 76	76	76	2.28	4.56	4–120	0.6–1.2	0.5–13.0	DN80–DN250
PHYM 100	100	100	3.00	6.00	4–360 ★	0.6–1.2	0.5–13.0	up to DN250
★ Mixed solution range 4–120 L/s standard; up to 360 L/s available on PHYM 100 and custom configurations. All tank volumes and pipe diameters customisable to project hydraulic design. Contact CA-FIRE for free sizing.

Horizontal vs. Vertical Foam Bladder Tank — Which to Specify?

Both configurations deliver identical proportioning performance (±0.3%). The decision is driven entirely by the physical constraints of the installation space.

Parameter	Horizontal Bladder Tank (PHYM) — This Product	Vertical Bladder Tank (PHY)
Installed Height	✓ Low — fits restricted headroom	Higher — requires ceiling clearance
Floor Footprint	Larger — longer saddle-mounted footprint	✓ Compact — smaller floor area
Underground / Basement Rooms	✓ Preferred — low profile fits	— Less suitable
Shipboard Installation	✓ Standard choice for vessels	— Space constraints usually prohibit
Above-Ground Pump Rooms	Suitable	✓ Preferred — maximises floor space
Max Flow Rate	4–360 L/s — widest range	8–120 L/s
Tank Volume Range	0.5–13.0 m³	0.5–13.0 m³
Proportioning Accuracy	±0.3%	±0.3%
Mixing Ratio	3% or 6%	3% or 6%
Product Link	This page ↑	View Vertical Tank →

Typical Applications — Horizontal Foam Bladder Tank

Application	Why Horizontal?	Typical PHYM Model	Standard
Petrochemical Tank Farms	High flow demand (up to 360 L/s); often installed in low-ceiling pump houses	PHYM 76 / PHYM 100	NFPA 11
Aircraft Hangars	Large-volume foam-water deluge systems; basement pump room installation common	PHYM 64 / PHYM 100	NFPA 409 / NFPA 11
Marine & Offshore (Tankers / FPSOs)	Deck-below-deck spaces; strict height constraints in engine rooms and cargo pump rooms	PHYM 8 – PHYM 48	IMO MSC / SOLAS
Underground Pump Rooms	Low ceiling — only horizontal orientation fits; PHYM sits within standard basement floor-to-beam clearance	PHYM 16 – PHYM 48	GB 50151 / NFPA 11
Power Plant Transformer Bays	Often housed in low-profile equipment vaults; horizontal installation preferred by structural engineers	PHYM 16 – PHYM 32	NFPA 15 / GB 50229
Tunnel & Subway Infrastructure	Severely restricted headroom in tunnel cross-passages and equipment rooms	PHYM 8 – PHYM 24	GB 50016 / NFPA 502

Frequently Asked Questions — Horizontal Foam Bladder Tank

What foam concentrates are compatible with the PHYM horizontal foam bladder tank?

The PHYM series is compatible with all standard foam concentrates: AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam), AR-AFFF (Alcohol-Resistant AFFF), protein foam and synthetic foam at 3% or 6% mixing ratio. The internal bladder material (EPDM/NBR) is chemically resistant to all common concentrates. Confirm your specific concentrate with CA-FIRE at the time of order to verify compatibility.

How is the horizontal foam bladder tank different from a bladder tank proportioner system?

The horizontal foam bladder tank is a bladder tank proportioner system — a complete unit combining the pressure vessel, internal bladder, proportioner assembly, valves and instrumentation. It uses the differential pressure between the system water supply and the bladder interior to drive foam concentrate into the proportioner at the exact ratio required. No separate proportioner skid or additional equipment is needed — the PHYM is a self-contained proportioning device.

Does the horizontal foam bladder tank require any electrical power?

No. The PHYM series operates entirely on hydraulic pressure from the fire pump water supply. No electrical power, solenoid valves, sensors or control panels are required for proportioning operation. This makes the system inherently reliable in power-failure scenarios and simplifies installation — no electrical conduit to the tank.

What is the maximum flow rate of the horizontal foam bladder tank?

The PHYM 100 model reaches 360 L/s mixed solution flow — the highest in the CA-FIRE foam bladder tank range, and more than 3× the maximum 120 L/s of the vertical PHY series. This makes the PHYM series the only CA-FIRE option for large petrochemical tank farm systems and major aircraft hangars where peak design flow exceeds 120 L/s.

How long does foam concentrate last inside the bladder tank?

Foam concentrate stored inside a properly maintained bladder tank typically has a shelf life of 10–25 years depending on concentrate type. AFFF and synthetic concentrates generally achieve 10–15 years; protein-based concentrates vary by formulation. Because the bladder physically isolates concentrate from water at all times, no water dilution or contamination occurs during storage — the concentrate quality is preserved. Follow the foam concentrate manufacturer's recommended inspection schedule.

Is the PHYM horizontal foam bladder tank NFPA 11 compliant?

Yes. The PHYM series is designed and tested in compliance with NFPA 11 (Low-, Medium- and High-Expansion Foam) and NFPA 16 (Foam-Water Sprinkler Systems), as well as China's GB 50151 national standard. Full compliance documentation, test certificates and submittal datasheets are provided with every unit for authority review. See our download centre for available technical documents.