NFPA 11-2021 PDF

Full title and description

NFPA 11: Standard for Low-, Medium-, and High-Expansion Foam — 2021 edition. This standard sets requirements for the design, installation, operation, testing, and maintenance of low-, medium-, and high-expansion foam and compressed-air foam systems used for fire protection in fixed, semi‑fixed, and portable applications for interior and exterior hazards. It includes requirements for foam concentrates, proportioning, pumps, discharge devices, acceptance testing, and inspection/testing/maintenance (ITM) provisions added or revised for foam systems.

Abstract

The 2021 edition of NFPA 11 consolidates requirements for expansion and compressed-air foam systems, incorporates installation guidance previously found in NFPA 16 for low‑expansion sprinkler and spray systems, and expands ITM and test protocols for modern foam concentrates (including coverage of synthetic fluorine‑free foams and compressed‑air foam systems). It is intended primarily to provide property‑protection guidance for hazards involving flammable and combustible liquids where foam suppression is used.

General information

• Status: Superseded (superseded by NFPA 11:2024; 2024 edition issued Dec 1, 2023 and effective Dec 21, 2023).
• Publication date: Issued as the 2021 edition — issued by the NFPA Standards Council in November 2020 (issued Nov 2, 2020; approved/effective Nov 22, 2020) and published as the 2021 edition.
• Publisher: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
• ICS / categories: Protection against fire — ICS code commonly cited: 13.220 (protection against fire).
• Edition / version: 2021 edition (commonly referenced as NFPA 11‑2021). Superseded by 2024 edition.
• Number of pages: Approximately 166–167 pages (printed/PDF page count reported around 166–167 pp. in publication listings).

Scope

Applies to design, installation, operation, testing, and maintenance of low-, medium-, and high‑expansion foam and compressed‑air foam systems for fire protection of property (not intended for life‑safety functions). The standard addresses fixed, semi‑fixed, and portable systems for both interior and exterior hazards and provides requirements on water supplies, foam concentrates and compatibility, proportioning and discharge devices, pumps and piping, acceptance testing, and ITM. It excludes obsolete chemical foam systems, combined‑agent systems, mobile foam apparatus, and Class A foam systems (referenced elsewhere).

Key topics and requirements

• System classification and definitions for low-, medium-, high‑expansion and compressed‑air foam systems.
• Requirements for foam concentrates (types, compatibility, storage, and quality control).
• Proportioning equipment and methods (proportioners, pumps, and flushing requirements).
• Design and installation rules for low‑expansion sprinkler and spray systems (incorporates material from NFPA 16 into NFPA 11:2021).
• Acceptance testing, commissioning, and acceptance test criteria for foam discharges and system performance.
• Inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM) schedules and procedures (expanded ITM chapter in 2021 edition; later ITM responsibilities were consolidated with NFPA 25 in subsequent revisions).
• Special application guidance (marine machinery spaces, floating roof rim tests, loading racks, diked areas, and monitor/handline requirements).
• Informational annexes covering test methods, environmental/health considerations (including SFFF research), and foam concentrate quality.

Typical use and users

Used by fire protection engineers, system designers, specifying authorities, installation contractors, facility and operations managers, AHJs (authorities having jurisdiction), loss‑control professionals, and maintenance personnel to design, install, test, and maintain foam fire‑extinguishing systems protecting hydrocarbon and other liquid hazards. Also used by manufacturers for product specifications and by regulatory bodies for adoption by reference.

Related standards

Commonly referenced and related documents include NFPA 16 (historically for foam‑water sprinkler and spray systems — many installation provisions were incorporated into NFPA 11:2021), NFPA 25 (inspection, testing, and maintenance of water‑based fire protection systems — ITM requirements for foam systems were moved/clarified in later revisions), NFPA 30 (flammable and combustible liquids code), NFPA 1150 (Class A foams), and relevant ASTM/UL test methods referenced in the annexes and referenced publications.

Keywords

fire foam, NFPA 11, low‑expansion foam, medium‑expansion foam, high‑expansion foam, compressed air foam, foam concentrate, proportioning, foam pumps, acceptance testing, ITM, foam‑water sprinkler, synthetic fluorine‑free foam (SFFF), foam system design

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: NFPA 11:2021 is the National Fire Protection Association's standard that provides requirements for low‑, medium‑, and high‑expansion foam and compressed‑air foam systems used for fire protection of property.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers system components, foam concentrates and compatibility, proportioning and pump requirements, design and installation of discharge devices (including incorporation of low‑expansion sprinkler/spray rules), acceptance testing, and inspection/testing/maintenance provisions, plus informational annexes on testing and environmental/health issues.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Fire protection engineers, system designers, contractors, facility managers, authorities having jurisdiction, manufacturers, and maintenance personnel use NFPA 11 to specify, install, test, and maintain foam systems.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The 2021 edition has been superseded by the 2024 edition of NFPA 11. The 2024 edition was issued Dec 1, 2023 and became effective Dec 21, 2023; users are encouraged to consult the 2024 edition (and any TIAs or errata) for the most current requirements.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — NFPA 11 is part of the NFPA family of codes and standards addressing fire protection. It is commonly used alongside other NFPA standards such as NFPA 25 (ITM), NFPA 30 (flammable liquids), and previously NFPA 16 (foam‑water sprinkler/spray installation) which has been consolidated into NFPA 11 in recent editions.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Key keywords include foam, foam concentrate, low‑expansion, medium‑expansion, high‑expansion, compressed‑air foam, proportioning, pumps, acceptance testing, ITM, SFFF, NFPA 11.