New Fire Fighter Air Replenishment Systems

12/7/2018

There's a jurisdiction that is considering requiring "Fire Fighter Air Replenishment System" or as I understand it a standpipe-for-air system. Has anyone designed these systems?

The International Fire Code (Appendix L) provides requirements for the system - my only concern is the size and storage of pressurized oxygen tanks either in or near the stairwells and the potentially increased hazard they could be in a fire.

Posted anonymously by a member for discussion. Discuss this | Subscribe

4 Comments

Kelley Stalder

12/7/2018 01:03:37 pm

Just to clarify: if the system has stored gas to supply it, the gas is air, not 100% oxygen. Still a stored gas though.

Some systems may be a "dry" standpipe and an air truck will connect to a point on the outside of the building.

Some systems have cylinders of air in the stairwell but they are in a rupture containment case.

Michael J Lonigro

12/9/2018 07:34:51 pm

There was a revision to the NYC code some years ago that required the installation of the Air Replenishing Systems.

I doubt any building in NYC has one. They've since repealed the code, realizing that it more of a hindrance than help.

There is a company that designs these systems..Google FARS

anthony turiello

10/24/2019 05:02:08 pm

NYC never adopted FARS, never repealed FARS. For reference FARS is incorporated in 2018 International Fire Code, 2018 NFPA1 and 2018 Uniiform Plumbing Code

Dee Withee

12/11/2018 12:18:54 pm

These are air standpipes, where the air is supplied by the fire department's air apparatus. There are refilling stations to allow firefighters to refill the SCBA in the buildings, rather than haul the tanks up/down stairs - the refilling stations are within rupture containment stations.

Free Signup

Subscribe and learn something new each day:

Community

Thank You to Our Top
April 2020 Contributors!

1. Mike
2. Sean
3. Franck
4. Dan W.
5. Jonathan

6. Jesse
7. Wayne
8. Jonathan J
9. James
10. Thomas

Your Post

SUBMIT A QUESTION

The Toolkit

Sprinkler Designer or Engineer?

Get all of our tools, including the Sprinkler Database, Friction Loss Calculator, Fire Pump Analyzer and more:

FREE 30-DAY TRIAL

GET THE TOOLKIT

Filters

Exam Prep

2019 PE Prep Guide
(Available Now!)

PE Prep Series
(Available Now!)

Current Leaderboard
(Click to enlarge)

PE Problems

Visit July-October for daily Fire Protection PE Exam sample questions.

Solutions are posted the day after posting.

Comment with your solutions, questions or clarifications.

Please note that questions posted are unofficial and in accordance with NCEES rules are intended to be similar to actual exam questions, not actual exam questions themselves.

RSS Feed

Home - About - Blog - Contact - Exam Prep - Store

Copyright © 2020 MeyerFire, LLC
The views, opinions, and information found on this site represent solely the author shown and do not represent the opinions of any other party, nor does the presented material assume responsibility for its use. Fire protection and life safety systems constitute a critical component for public health and safety and you should consult with a licensed professional for proper design and code adherence. Some (not all) outbound links on this website, such as Amazon links, are affiliate-based where we receive a commission for orders placed elsewhere.