Firefighter Air Replenishment Systems
FARS, known as Firefighter Air Replenishment Systems are air standpipes designed to provide a continuous supply of breathable air to firefighters operating in mid-rise, high-rise, and big box structures. Utilizing an air standpipe system, allows firefighters to refill their air cylinders without leaving the fire scene.
Mega Buildings Challenge Fire Department Response
In metropolitan areas across the United States, vertical structures are higher than ever before. In rural America, large retailers and manufacturers are building an increasing number of big-box buildings and warehouse distribution centers. Land use challenges are driving a proliferation of below-grade parking structures, tunnel systems, and materials and equipment storage facilities. In the wake of this accelerated development, fire departments are being challenged to keep pace with growth, manage risk, and keep their citizens safe.
Providing air resupply in large structures is a slow, labor intensive process.
The Solution: A Building-Installed Air Standpipe
FARS are a building-installed standpipe for firefighter air resupply. Just as water standpipes replaced hand and horse drawn water delivery, an air standpipe replaces the slow, labor-intensive process of hand-carrying replacement air bottles up numerous flights of stairs in a high-rise or deep into a large horizontal structure.
Without a ready supply of air, firefighters cannot survive. Without air, there is no interior attack. Without air, firefighters are challenged to begin or continue the firefight. Without air, search, rescue, containment, extinguishment, overhaul and salvage are jeopardized.
Without firefighter air, life and property are jeopardized.
Air Cylinders Refill in 2 Minutes or Less
FARS are designed to allow firefighters to refill their air cylinders in 2 minutes or less, under full respiration, at fill stations located throughout the interior of a building. Keeping firefighters under full respiration during the first 12 minutes of the fire attack provides continuity in fireground operations.
FARS Fire Codes
Fire codes provide for a FARS system in specfic high-rise, big-box and mid-rise structures. These standpipes have been around for over 25 years and exist in more than 26 states as a result of fire code adoptions.  In the last few years, these air standpipe systems have become a necessary tool for firefighters.
Firefighters do their jobs only because they have air that allows them to enter the IDLH environment. Today’s toxic fireground scenes expose firefighters to toxicants and gases that are not survivable or can cause long-term illness and disease.
Nashville Fire Department is a model for many other departments who have adopted the FARS code. The department realized a significant high-rise increase in the downtown area and realized their department would be challenged without necessary technologies to keep firefighters on the fireground.
Read the Nashville story.
Common Questions:
FARS is a building-installed air standpipe that can refill a cylinder in less than 2 minutes on the fireground. They are designed to provide firefighters with a quick, dependable 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 not just for high-rises. FARS are designed for high-rises, mid-rises, big box structures, campus structures, hospitals, tunnels and ships.
Yes. The most recent report of use was in a working fire was in 2021 in Frisco, Texas. Firefighters 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, no civilians or firefighters injured.
Connect with an FAC Advocate
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 fire codes, the processes and how other departments have approached and attacked the possibility of an air standpipe system.
Firefighter air safety advocates within the FAC are always available to answer your questions.
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