FARS Case Studies & Research
The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is recommending its member cities adopt Appendix L of the International Fire Code, which would mandate the installation of firefighter air replenishment systems (FARS) in construction of new high-rise buildings, big-box style horizontal structures, and other large buildings in their jurisdictions.
In 2022, Nashville became the first city in Tennessee to adopt a code requiring FARS in certain structures where the delivery of air resupply presents significant logistical challenges. FARS, a building-installed air standpipe system, is designed to allow firefighters to refill their air bottles in 2 minutes or less under full respiration, greatly reducing their risk of exposure to toxic smoke.
Over the past few decades, Frisco, TX has experienced explosive population growth and transformational development that dramatically altered the city's skyline and challenged city leaders to find innovative ways to address the public safety risks posed by this boom in construction.
Fortunately for Frisco's firefighters, FARS figured prominently in the city's plans to help provide first responders with quick, easy access to replenish breathing air during a large structure fire.
