When a fire “goes vertical,” originating on an upper floor in a multi-story structure like a high-rise office or apartment building, the #1 logistical problem that the incident commander (IC) must address is how to keep interior crews supplied with breathing air.
The most common strategy has been for the IC to commit firefighters to a shuttle system whereby firefighters carry SCBA cylinders up several floors to a drop-off area. Other firefighters above that area come down, pick up the cylinders and carry them up to another drop-off area. Depending upon the total number of floors between ground level and the staging area, this type of shuttle operation may involve several drop-off areas. It also requires the involvement of several firefighters – a limited resource for many departments, meaning the IC will need to rotate personnel out of the fire suppression area.
A better solution to this problem is equipping multi-story structures (e.g., high-rise office buildings, hospitals) and large area single-story structures (e.g., warehouses, manufacturing facilities) with a Firefighter Air Replenishment System (FARS). These systems are akin to vertical and horizontal standpipe systems that firefighters depend upon for their water supply to conduct fire suppression operations, but instead of water, they deliver breathable air to firefighters at strategic locations within a structure.
How FARS works
FARS are building-installed systems that use a network of pipes and air storage units to supply air to firefighters. The system is designed to provide a quick and constant source of air replenishment, allowing firefighters to refill their air bottles without having to leave the building. This capability is especially important in high-rise buildings or large structures where traditional air supply methods (e.g., the physical shuttling of cylinders by firefighters) may be insufficient or impractical.
The system consists of five key components:
1. Exterior Mobile Air Connection (MAC). This component, located in a locked box on the building’s exterior, allows a fire department to supply breathing air to the FARS, like it can provide water for a standpipe system or supplement installed breathing air storage in a building. The MAC can also be installed as a free-standing pedestal to allow easier access for the fire department’s mobile air unit. In addition, the MAC monitors the system’s air pressure, moisture content of the air and the quality of the air.
2. Air supply. The system stores a large volume of compressed air in cascade storage cylinders located in a central air resource room. A typical storage system can provide air to refill 50 SCBA cylinders (this number is subject to the requirements of the local jurisdiction). This air is then distributed through the pipes to various fill stations within the building.
3. Interior SCBA fill stations. Fill stations are locked in storage boxes in a fire rated stairwell. Each fill station has a minimum of two SCBA refill connections that enable firefighters to refill their depleted SCBA cylinders, using their SCBA’s trans fill connection, in about two minutes while they continue to breath air from their SCBA. Fill stations are installed every two to three stories in high-rise structures or every 150 to 200 feet in large horizontal structures. Rupture Containment Fill Stations. These may be required depending upon local building and fire codes.
4. Piping. Like standpipe systems in a structure, the air supply lines (stainless steel piping) are in the fire rated stairwells of a building.
5. Integration with the building’s fire alarm system. The FARS is connected to the same alarm system that’s monitoring a building’s smoke alarms and fire sprinkler system. The FARS must also have an emergency power supply.
Watch the Video: How Does a Firefighter Air Replenishment System (FARS) Work?
Benefits of FARS
There are several benefits to using FARS.
- Enhanced firefighter safety. By providing a continuous air supply, FARS reduce the risk of firefighters running out of air during critical operations. This ensures they can continue breathing cylinder air from their SCBA throughout the entire duration of the firefighting effort, minimizing exposure to harmful chemicals, chemical compounds and carcinogens present in the smoke being produced by the combustion of the heavy fuel loads – primarily consisting of synthetic interior furnishings, carpeting and wall coverings – found in modern multi-story buildings.
- Increased efficiency means better health outcomes. FARS allow firefighters to stay interior longer, reducing the need for frequent trips to refill their air tanks. This leads to more efficient firefighting operations, meaning less time that firefighters must continue working in an Immediately Dangerous to Life and Health environment. Ultimately, this means a reduction in firefighters’ exposure to the toxic substances, potentially lowering the risk of long-term health issues, such as cancer.
- Reduced physical strain. For many fire departments, their standard operating guidelines (SOGs) for response to a fire in a high-rise building may require that the firefighters committed to fire suppression carry an extra SCBA cylinder (or sometimes two) as they ascend to the fire floor. Carrying heavy SCBA cylinders – in addition to the one on their back – is physically demanding, especially in challenging environments like climbing multiple flights of stairs. FARS alleviate this burden by providing air at designated fill stations, allowing firefighters to focus on their tasks without the added weight of carrying spare air cylinders.
Implementation and requirements
The implementation of FARS in buildings is becoming increasingly common, especially in high-rise structures and large commercial buildings. Installing FARS in an existing structure involves several key steps:
1. Assessment. A thorough assessment of the building is necessary to determine the best locations for air-fill stations and the routing of the air distribution system.
2. Design and planning. A detailed design and plan for the installation – one that’s compliant with local fire codes and NFPA standards – should include the layout of all system components.
3. Installation of system components. Following the design and planning comes the installation of the MAC, air storage cylinders, system piping, fill stations, and connection to the building’s fire alarm system.
4. Testing and certification. Once the system is installed, rigorous testing and certification must take place to ensure that it meets all safety standards and local regulations, including the testing of air quality and the overall performance of the FARS.
5. Training and maintenance. Whether the system is installed in a new structure or as a retrofit for an existing structure, training must be delivered to building staff and firefighters on how to use the FARS effectively. Those responsible for building maintenance must establish a maintenance schedule to ensure that the system remains operational and compliant with safety standards.
Final thoughts
FARS should become a vital component of modern fire protection and firefighter safety infrastructure. By providing availability to a reliable and continuous supply of breathing air, FARS can enhance the safety, effectiveness, efficiency and health outcomes for firefighters during fire suppression operations.
Fire departments, and the major fire service organizations (e.g., IAFC, IAFF, NVFC) should advocate for the adoption of these systems by fire and building code organizations and building developers.
REFERENCES
- Frontier Fire Protection. (2024). FARS: What is it and is it required?
- Johnson Controls. (2024). FARS Frequently Asked Questions.
- Firefighter Air Coalition (2024). Firefighter Air Replenishment Systems (FARS) Facts.
