Firefighter Air Replenishment Systems (FARS) are advanced safety systems designed to provide a continuous supply of breathable air to firefighters operating in mid-rise, high-rise, and big box structures.
Without a ready supply of air replenishment, firefighters cannot survive in smoky environments. If air re supply does not arrive, firefighters must exit the building to find it, removing them from fire attack, search and rescue, and other life-saving tasks.
Air Bottle Refill in as Quickly as 2 Minutes or Less
FARS are designed to allow firefighters to refill their air bottles in as quickly as 2 minutes or less under full respiration at fill stations located throughout the interior of a building, greatly reducing the risk of exposure to toxic smoke.
Now Required by Code in Cities Across the U.S.
Cities across the country have updated their fire codes to require FARS in new construction of large buildings. The FAC supports these efforts.
FARS are a building-installed standpipe for air that delivers air replenishment to firefighters. They are designed to provide firefighters with a quick, dependable, and constant source of air resupply at fill stations located throughout the interior of a structure. Just as water standpipes provide water, FARS provides air.
FARS are designed to allow firefighters to refill air bottles in as quickly as 2 minutes or less.
During the construction process, FARS installers pull seamless stainless steel tubing up through stairway shafts. Air-fill stations are located at various locations in designated stairways or in air resource closets, depending on the preference of the authority having jurisdiction. Every other floor is a common requirement.
The air-fill stations are equipped with simple high-pressure hoses designed to fill two air bottles within two minutes. In the first stages of firefighting, the air supply comes from an on-site cascade located in an air resource room, normally located on the ground floor of the building. Later, air can be supplied by a fire department's mobile air unit.
FARS are not just for high-rises. FARS are designed for high-rises, mid-rises, big box structures, tunnels, other underground structures. FARS solves the logistical problem of delivering air resupply in these complex structures.
Every authorized FARS is monitored on a 24-7-365 basis for carbon monoxide, air pressure, and moisture levels. Testing and certification are typically performed on a quarterly basis.
A recent study of nearly 7,000 air quality reports on FARS systems over a 7-year period found that the air in FARS exceeds NFPA 1989 standards. In fact, FARS air quality was more compliant with NFPA 1989 standards than non-FARS fire department compressed breathing air samples.
Reports on FARS air quality can be found here:
Reports on FARS air quality can be found here:
FARS use air from large, commercial air bottles found in the air supply room of the building or from a fire department's mobile air unit. The system is pressurized constantly, making breathing air immediately available to first responders. Air is delivered to each air-fill panel through continuous (not welded) seamless stainless-steel tubing, like those used in medical gas systems found in hospitals and clinics.
FARS doesn’t impact fire department budgets. When a system is required by the local fire code, a building owner/operator pays for installation and maintenance, just as other fire protection equipment like sprinkler systems and fire alarms.
Yes. The most recent report of the use of FARS in a working fire was in 2021 in Frisco, Texas. Fire crews responded to a fire on the 12th floor of the 17-story Twelve Cowboys Way luxury high-rise apartment building. As part of the firefighting effort, crews deployed the building's FARS system. A total of 19 units and 43 personnel were used to help extinguish the blaze. The FARS system performed perfectly, and, more importantly, there were no civilians or firefighters injured.
There are three options for codes and standards covering FARS:
The Firefighter Air Coalition offers a FARS Code Adoption Guide that outlines the steps to FARS code adoption.
Yes. Many buildings have been retrofitted with FARS, including the iconic Montreal Olympic Tower.
Our FAC advocates are highly respected retired fire service professionals, each with specific subject matter expertise. They are available to assist you in learning more about FARS. Request to be connected with an advocate to help guide you through the FARS code adoption and implementation process.
Firefighter Air: The Fireground, Our Mission and You - the FDIC 2024 supplement this year. Please take moment to download your copy to explore new science and research, new breathing techniques and training opportunities for air management, tactical operations for high rise and much more. Please share this information with your department.
Take a moment to check out...The Firefighter Air Coalition is a 501(c)4 non-profit organization dedicated to advancing firefighter safety through education and training on air management best practices. We promote new air management technologies that enhance firefighter safety and advocate for the implementation of codes requiring these innovative solutions.
Our vision is for all firefighters to have the tools and expertise they need to operate safely and effectively, protecting themselves and the communities they serve.
The air on your back is what enables you to do your work and survive. And like every other resource on the fireground, that air needs to be deliberately planned, practiced and managed.
Learn MoreWe follow the development of air management technologies and advocate for integration into firefighting best practices. These technologies include portable breathing air, gas detection, fireground and training tools, PPE and more.
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Learn MoreThe Firefighter Air Coalition (FAC) focuses on the need for smart, responsible air management. It’s our passion and our privilege to advance firefighter safety through continued education and training programs and the advancement of important life-saving air supply technology.
The Firefighter Air Coalition advocates for codes requiring proven technologies that improve air management in the fire service and help reduce cancer risk. We support the efforts of code compliance professionals in their code review, adoption, and implementation process.
Codes requiring Firefighter Air Replenishment Systems (FARS) are a growing trend nationwide as cities look to keeping pace with infrastructure development, fire department manpower, reduce risk, and maintain the highest level of public safety.
A Firefighter Air Replenishment System (FARS) is a building installed standpipe system and distribution systems that delivers breathing air to firefighters inside large structures.
As with most building-installed fire safety systems, the cost of FARS and the on-going testing, certification and maintenance of the system is borne by the builder and the building owner.
How can we help you: Know Your Air and Know Your Smoke to provide you with More Air - More Time?
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