Round Rock Fire Gets New Equipment To Train For High-Rise Blazes

Round Rock TX

22 September, 2021

1:42 PM

Description

ROUND ROCK, TX — Round Rock firefighters are now equipped to train for high-rise fires, if and when the city ever expands with more high-rise buildings. The city's five-story fire training center was recently equipped with an air replenishment system that can help firefighters train to battle blazes in high rises, according to the Austin-American Statesman. The system uses a permanently installed standpipe to deliver an instant and constant supply of air to firefighters in large structures during a fire or any emergency where air quality is compromised, according to the newspaper. It can be used to fill firefighters' air bottles in two minutes or less. Live in Round Rock? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and download our free mobile app on Android or iPhone. "We're really excited because this is cutting edge technology that is in the latest fire code for development of high-rise buildings," Chief Robert Isbell told the Statesman. "We look at this being a game-changer operationally for how we're going work on high-rise buildings. In the past, it would take about four or five more companies to come in to help support the operation of just carrying up equipment to elevated floors." The 12-story Kalahari Resorts is the only building to have a firefighter air replenishing system, or FARS, installed, however, city officials said it plans to install it in buildings that are five stories and taller and will make this the standard for all new development in its code soon. Read the Austin-American Statesman.