FAQ

Click here to order kits or go to the Order Kits button in the top navigational menu. You can also call 800-632-2304 or email lab@dyneusa.com.

Contact Dyne at 800-632-2304 or lab@dyneusa.com for current pricing.

Our standard foam, sprinkler, dry chemical, or antifreeze solution testing kits are free. We even pay shipping to and from via UPS Ground or US mail within the contiguous United States (limited free shipping to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Canada, inquire for details).

We include a UPS return label or you can send our kit box back U.S. Mail. We pay for ground shipping within the contiguous United States.

We have a guaranteed five business day turnaround time. We also offer one business day rush processing service for an additional charge, please call ahead for this service. IMO samples rush service is 2-business days. Jobs over forty samples may require additional testing time.

We maintain records of all foam testing at Dyne. If you would like 24/7 access to all of your test results online, fill out the web access form.

We automatically send test reports via email by attaching a PDF. When you fill out the return form, if you choose mail tags, we will send them for passing samples (please note there is only 1 tag per job for sprinklers.)

Monday-Thursday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm CST. Friday we are open 8:00 am – 3:00 pm CST.

You will be invoiced following testing. NEW! An online payment option is available that will allow you to pay your invoice with a credit card. Our terms are 30-day net. We suggest you submit a purchase order to be referenced on your invoice.

We have a simple new customer sign up process. Contact us at 1-800-632-2304 or via email at lab@dyneusa.com or start a chat during business hours for information on how we can help you get started. Click this new customer form link to complete the form we will need. 

You will receive a test report via email.  By request, we also send laminated tags for passing samples (please note there is one tag per sprinkler job). Your reports are also available online, simply fill out a web access waiver form and we will get you set up to view all of your reports online.

We offer a 4-bottle kit as well as a 2-bottle kit for NFPA testing. Please order the kit that best suits your needs to save on shipping costs.

There are various reasons why foam may fail. See the article Why Firefighting Foam Fails for details or call 1-800-632-2304 to speak to one of our analysts.

Proper sampling of foam is very important, you may contact the manufacturer for correct procedures or review our articles page. We also have a video on how to prepare your samples to send to us for testing.

Verifying that a firefighting foam system accurately proportions foam and water is critical to the system’s effectiveness in the event of a fire. A proportioning sample requires a sample of concentrate as well as the proportioned sample. You may send sample of system water.

NFPA 25 says “At least annually, an inspection shall be made of foam concentrates and their tanks or storage containers for evidence of excessive sludging or deterioration. Samples of concentrates shall be sent to the manufacturer or qualified laboratory for quality condition testing.” For more NFPA information, visit nfpa.org.

We require at least 8 ounces or 250 ml for NFPA testing. For IMO/USCG testing, we offer 500 ml kits (see IMO/USCG below).

The National Fire Protection Association Standard 25, Inspection, Testing and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems recommends foam bladder tanks systems be inspected at least annually.  

If the sample being taken is a foam concentrate sample, keep in mind that these tanks contain a large volume of foam that may not be uniform throughout. The tank should be sampled from two different areas, the top and the bottom for example, to help ensure that the foam is acceptable throughout. Click on the following link to read The Benefits of Taking a Top and Bottom Foam Sample. 

Go to the Foam Testing Explanation article for information on performance and physical tests performed on foam at Dyne.

View the video: Preparing Your Foam Samples for Dyne. Please fill the sample bottles to the fill line. Be sure to tighten the caps securely as they can loosen in transit. Tape the caps shut (electrical tape works great). Place the full bottles in the plastic bag and seal the bag. Make sure to include the return form outside of the plastic bag and remember to include a PO or credit card (do not send a check). If you tape the outside of the box shut, that helps too.

Remember to return the kits using the enclosed UPS return label or via the U.S. postal service. If you use the UPS label, be sure to keep the tracking number in order to be able to follow the package to Dyne. UPS Ground generally takes 3-5 days within the U.S.

Call Dyne at 800-632-2304 to discuss your test results with an analyst. We also published an article on Why Firefighting Foam Fails.

Click here to download the foam sample return form.

Filling out the paperwork for a sample of firefighting foam to send into Dyne for testing can be confusing if you are unfamiliar with some of the language or testing methods used in the firefighting foam business. IMO and NFPA have similar standards for firefighting foam testing except IMO stipulates a slightly more rigorous analysis. IMO stands for International Maritime Organization and USCG is the United States Coast Guard. 

We offer a 2-500 ml bottle kit for IMO/USCG testing.

We test all types of sprinklers including standard, dry, and quick-response.

All kits can be ordered online, over the phone at 800-632-2304, by email, or by using the chat window.

Foam packing material, sprinkler return form*, and a return UPS label (contiguous U.S. customers only). *The online return form preferred and available by going to the Submit Samples button in the top right corner of the website.

Yes dry sprinklers are also required to be tested. In fact, dry sprinklers have been shown to be more likely to fail sooner in the field and as a result, they must be either replaced or tested every 20 years (previous versions 15 years) and every 10 years after that. 

The Dyne sprinkler kit sample box is designed to accommodate only standard sized sprinklers. Some sprinklers, including dry sprinklers, will not fit in our standard kit. We do offer dry sprinkler kits. A small dry kit fits up to 20" and the large fits up to 42". Click the chat window or contact us at lab@dyneusa.com or 800-632-2304 for current pricing. You may also pack dry sprinklers in your own box.

Two sizes are available: Small fits up to 20" and large up to 42". Each kit fits one sprinkler with piping attached. If you order online via the order kits button, we will contact you for payment. We also take orders via phone at 800-632-2304 or email.

You are not required to use a Dyne sample kit to submit sprinklers. If you have your own boxes, you can access the online sprinkler return form under the Services tab of the website. Go the Submit Samples button in the top right corner of the website. We do provide labeling bands in our kits, but we also have a downloadable PDF that you can use to make tags under Resources>Sample Return Forms & Tags. We recommend the sprinklers are labeled to match the sprinkler return form.

You are not required to purchase the dry sprinkler kits. We offer them as a convenient way for you to pack up dry sprinklers. Dry kits do not include shipping back to Dyne.

We provide sprinkler tags in our kits, but we also have a downloadable PDF under Resources>Dyne PDF Documents that you can use to make tags. We recommend the sprinklers are labeled to match the sprinkler return form (ie #1 office, #2 garage, #3 warehouse, #4 lab).

Contact us at 800-632-2304 or lab@dyneusa.com for current pricing.

The test is destructive, the sprinklers are not sent back after testing.

We take a picture of the top, bottom, and both sides of the sprinkler before testing. We also take a picture of the waterway post testing. There is a link in the results email to view the sprinkler pictures that is active for 90-days.

We have a sample test report on our website as well as a testing explanation. 

We have a 5-business day turn-around time. We also offer 1-business day rush processing service for an additional charge, please call ahead for this service.

Yes, you will need to register online by clicking on the Log In button and fill out and submit a Web Access Waiver form. Once the form is completed, we will link your results with your registration and send you instructions on how to access your reports.

We offer Dyne Sprinkler Test Tags for each job (not each sprinkler). Be sure to mark on your sprinkler return form that you would like to receive one following testing (for passing results only) by checking the Mail System Tag box.

NFPA 25 2023 Edition states "A representative sample of sprinklers for testing in accordance with 5.3.1.1 shall consist of either a minimum of four sprinklers or 1 percent of the number of sprinklers per sample area, whichever is greater. 

If even one sprinkler fails in a job, the report summary lists the entire group as a fail. You may want to choose to separate your jobs by environment for us by using a separate sprinkler return form (either online or paper) for each environment. Be sure to have a unique job name (or add additional information such as Building A -Riser 1, Building A -Riser 2, etc). Click here for more examples.

NFPA 25 allows only factory painted sprinklers, so any sprinklers that have been painted must be replaced.

On our website go to Services>Fire Sprinkler Testing and click on What & When to Test.

Yes, we have both articles and videos on various sprinkler topics. Click the links to for topics like loading, corrosion, paint or to view a video of our testing in action.

Procedure based on FM, ISO, and UL oven thermal sensitivity tests. Testing fulfills NFPA 25 2023 Edition 5.3.1.1.

The largest recall occurred back in 2001 and it involved a large number of sprinklers utilizing o-ring seals. Many of the manufacturers of these recalled sprinklers offered a free replacement but only for a specific time period which has since expired. If a recalled sprinkler is sent to Dyne for testing, the sprinkler will be put through the testing process and will receive a response time result.

It is the responsibility of the property owner or designated representative to correct deficiencies or impairments according to NFPA 25 4.1.5. This includes identifying and replacing or remedying any recalled products. Dyne Fire Protection Labs does not identify recalled products or ensure required action is taken.

Yes, although we do have Antifreeze sample kits we use the same sample bottles for both kits. We do have a separate paper or fillable form for each. The foam form is in the kit box and the antifreeze form can be found online. 

Yes, If a premix antifreeze solution is being used, it must be tested annually, before the onset of freezing weather. Read the articles in the Media Center under Antifreeze for more information.

Kits can be ordered through our website, over the phone at 800-632-2304, by email lab@dyneusa.com, or by using the chat window.

You are not required to use a Dyne sample kit to submit samples, but we do recommend our moisture-proof containers. If you have your own boxes, you can access the return form under the Resources tab of the website. Go to Resources>Sample Return Forms to download our forms. We recommend the samples are labeled to match the return form. We also have an prefer you use our online sample return form. 

A 60 mL moisture-proof sample container, foam packing material, a sample return form, and a return UPS label (contiguous U.S. only).

Click on Order Kits to see a description and picture our kit. We offer one type of dry chemical kit which includes 1- 60 mL moisture-proof sample container.

The sample containers provided in our kits have a place on the label to indicate the date the sample was taken and the job name.

Our dry chemical kits have a preprinted USPS return stamp on them and also include a return UPS label (contiguous U.S. only). The kits need to be dropped off at either a post office or UPS location, unless you have a daily pickup.

We have a sample test report on our website as well as a testing explanation.

Our dry chemical kit contains a 60 ml moisture-proof sample container. Please make sure your sample fills the container to ensure testing can be completed properly. If you are not using a Dyne kit, please send a sample that is equal to or greater than 60 ml.

We test all types of dry chemical (ABC, BC/Regular, Purple K, etc.)