Surrogate foam test system

An apparatus for a fluid distribution system of a fire apparatus that includes a water line configured to receive water from a water source, an agent line configured to receive agent from an agent source, a flush line configured to receive the water from the water source and connecting to the agent line at a junction, a flush valve positioned to selectively prevent the water from flowing along the flush line downstream of the flush valve, an agent valve positioned to selectively prevent the agent from flowing along the agent line downstream of the agent valve, a first flow meter positioned along the agent line downstream of the junction, a second flow meter positioned downstream of the first flow meter, an eductor coupled to the agent line and the water line downstream of the first flow meter and upstream of the second flow meter, and a metering valve positioned downstream of the first flow meter and upstream of the eductor, the apparatus comprising:

• a controller configured to selectively operate the fluid distribution system in a testing mode, wherein, during the testing mode, the controller is configured to:
• close the agent valve;
• open the flush valve;
• perform a testing sequence that includes (a) acquiring a first flow rate of the water flowing through the first flow meter, (b) acquiring a second flow rate of the water flowing through the second flow meter, and (c) determining a performance characteristic based on the first flow rate and the second flow rate;
• modulate a current setting of the metering valve from a first setting to a second setting;
• and
• conduct the testing sequence again at the second setting of the metering valve to verify the fluid distribution system is performing properly.

A fluid distribution system for a fire apparatus, the fluid distribution system comprising:

• a water line configured to receive water from a water source;
• an agent line configured to receive agent from an agent source;
• a flush line configured to receive the water from the water source, the flush line connecting to the agent line at a junction, the flush line separate from the water line;
• a flush valve positioned along the flush line and upstream of the junction to selectively prevent the water from flowing into the agent line;
• an agent valve positioned along the agent line and upstream of the junction to selectively prevent the agent from flowing along the agent line downstream of the agent valve;
• a first flow meter positioned along the agent line downstream of the junction;
• a second flow meter positioned downstream of the first flow meter;
• an eductor coupled to the agent line and the water line downstream of the first flow meter and upstream of the second flow meter;
• a metering valve positioned downstream of the first flow meter and upstream of the eductor;
• and
• a controller configured to selectively operate the fluid distribution system in a testing mode, wherein during the testing mode, the controller is configured to:
• close the agent valve;
• open the flush valve;
• perform a testing sequence that includes (a) acquiring a first flow rate of the water flowing through the first flow meter, (b) acquiring a second flow rate of the water flowing through the second flow meter, and (c) determining a performance characteristic based on the first flow rate and the second flow rate;
• modulate a current setting of the metering valve from a first setting to a second setting;
• and
• conduct the testing sequence again at the second setting of the metering valve to verify the fluid distribution system is performing properly.