The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is recommending its member cities adopt Appendix L of the International Fire Code. This 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.

FARS deliver a safe instant supply of air replenishment to firefighters so they can survive in the toxic smoky environment of a structure fire. Just as water standpipes replaced water buckets as a delivery system, FARS replaces the bottle brigade of firefighters who must hand-carry replacement air bottles up dozens of flights of stairs or deep into structures to provide air replenishment to fire crews. With FARS, firefighters can refill air bottles in 2 minutes or less under full respiration at fill stations located throughout buildings.

More than 25 cities in Texas now require FARS including Midland, Plano and Frisco. In May 2021, members of the Frisco Fire Department successfully used FARS to refill air bottles during a fire in a 12-story residential high-rise. There were no injuries.

Nationwide, FARS are now required in cities in 20 states.