Johnson Controls Acquires Rescue Air Systems to Enhance Fire Suppression Portfolio

A firefighter assisting another firefighter with equipment

FARS Interior Air Fill Panels strategically placed throughout a structure provide firefighters with immediate, on-demand air refill capability.

Share

  • Acquisition will enable Johnson Controls to design, sell and install firefighter air replenishment systems in a rapidly growing vertical market
  • Safety equipment includes building-installed air standpipe system that allows firefighters to refill air bottles inside a structure in an emergency
  • Provision of air replenishment systems adds to the robust fire suppression products portfolio of Johnson Controls

Cork, Ireland (October 5, 2022) — Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, announced today that it acquired Rescue Air Systems, a leading provider of firefighter air replenishment systems (FARS) that enable firefighters to refill breathing air bottles within a building during responses.

"We are committed to providing the best and most complete fire protection systems in the industry,” said Anna Khanova, vice president, global product management, Johnson Controls fire suppression products. "This equipment allows us to better serve a rapidly growing safety vertical and comply with jurisdictions where FARS are increasingly required by code. As we help improve fire protection in buildings, our customers will benefit from a single, trusted source for residential and commercial fire suppression solutions as well as specialty applications."

"We are committed to providing the best and most complete fire protection systems in the industry.”

— Anna Khanova, vice president, global product management, Johnson Controls fire suppression products

A better alternative to carrying fresh air bottles into a building, FARS stations are designed to replenish firefighters’ air bottles in less than two minutes using a building-installed air standpipe system. Just as water standpipes in buildings provide ready access to water, FARS provide firefighters with quick access to a safer, more constant and more dependable source of breathing air inside a compromised structure in an emergency.

Fire extinguishers and other fire suppression equipment in a building

“When we started RescueAir almost 30 years ago, our goal was to make the world a safer place by equipping buildings and other large structures with firefighter air replenishment systems,” said Anthony Turiello, RescueAir CEO and founder. “With this acquisition, Johnson Controls will help us realize that vision on a global scale, and we’re excited our product will join their unique suite of fire suppression and safety offerings to better serve our customers.”

Rescue Air Systems, based in San Francisco, will add to Johnson Controls’ comprehensive portfolio of fire suppression products and solutions available today including fire sprinkler system products; foam agents and hardware; and special hazards products.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

To learn more about Rescue Air Systems, visit here.

###

Johnson Controls International plc Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Johnson Controls International plc has made statements in this communication regarding the acquisition of Rescue Air Systems that are forward-looking and therefore are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements in this document other than statements of historical fact are, or could be, "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "should," "forecast," "project" or "plan" and terms of similar meaning are also generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. However, the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Johnson Controls cautions that these statements are subject to numerous important risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond Johnson Controls' control, that could cause the expected impact of the acquisition of Rescue Air Systems to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, include, among others, risks related to the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the acquisition, including the possibility that expected synergies will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time frame; delays in the successful integration of Rescue Air Systems and its technologies; unfavorable reaction to the acquisition by customers, competitors, suppliers and employees, disruption from the transaction making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; significant transaction costs; and unknown liabilities.

Other factors that could cause Johnson Controls' actual results to differ materially from those expressed include, among others risks included in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in Johnson Controls' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 2021 fiscal year filed with the SEC on November 15, 2021, which is available at www.sec.gov and www.johnsoncontrols.com under the "Investors" tab. The description of certain of these risks is supplemented in Item 1A of Part II of Johnson Controls' subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Shareholders, potential investors and others should consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements and should not place undue reliance on such statements. The forward-looking statements included in this communication are made only as of the date of this document, unless otherwise specified, and, except as required by law, Johnson Controls assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update such statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this communication.

About Johnson Controls:

At Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI), we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet.

Building on a proud history of nearly 140 years of innovation, we deliver the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through OpenBlue, our comprehensive digital offering.

Today, with a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries, Johnson Controls offers the world’s largest portfolio of building technology and software as well as service solutions from some of the most trusted names in the industry.

Visit www.johnsoncontrols.com for more information and follow @JohnsonControls on social platforms.

About Rescue Air Systems/FARS:

Rescue Air Systems is the world’s leading provider of firefighter air replenishment systems (FARS). Founded in 1993, the company was borne out of the ashes of the First Interstate Bank Building fire, one of the most devastating high-rise fires in California history. Hand-carrying replacement air bottles to firefighters on upper floors was identified as a major strain on manpower and a serious obstacle to fighting the fire. As a solution, company founder Anthony Turiello envisioned a building-installed air standpipe system that would deliver air the same way water standpipes deliver water. His innovation is a faster, safer and more reliable method for the delivery of life-sustaining air. Today, FARS are required by code in 20 U.S. states.

Share