ARA Safety's Fit-5 Fire Suppression Technology Honored as Popular Science's Best of What's New

The FIT-5's Innovative Design and Practical Application in Helping Firefighters Fight Fires Drives Win in "Security" Category


VANCOUVER, BC--(Marketwire - November 13, 2008) - ARA Safety, a world leader in innovative fire and safety technology, today announces its FIT-5 fire suppression device is the winner of a prestigious 2008 Best of What's New award from Popular Science magazine.

The FIT-5 is a handheld fire suppression device designed for first responders and fire service professionals to help contain structure fires. When deployed, the FIT-5 releases a potassium based aerosol that dramatically knocks down flames and reduces room temperatures by hundreds of degrees in as little as 15 seconds. Due to its innovative design and capacity for practical application, the FIT-5 was designated by Popular Science as one of the top ten innovations of 2008 in the "security" category.

In addition to interrupting fire, the FIT-5 reduces the amount of water needed to extinguish fire by suppressing and preventing the spread of flames, thereby reducing water damage and property repair costs. In this application, the device provides extensive benefits for homeowners and the insurance companies that cover them, having repeatedly been credited with saving property, lives and homeowners' memories.

"For 20 years, Popular Science's Best of What's New awards honor the innovations that make a positive impact on life today and change our views of the future," says Mark Jannot, Editor-in-Chief of Popular Science. "Our editors evaluate thousands of products each year to develop this thoughtful list; there's no higher accolade Popular Science can give."

The FIT-5 has been deployed approximately 24 times throughout North America since its debut in late 2007. With each deployment, the FIT-5 is adding to the tally of properties saved, reducing wear and tear on equipment, and helping heroic volunteer and professional firefighters return safely to their stations and homes.

"We are truly honored to receive Popular Science's Best of What's New award," said Michael Gardiner, director of marketing, ARA Safety. "With a publication and award of this caliber recognizing the innovative features of the FIT-5, its potential to change the way firefighters fight fire is further solidified. We hope that through this award more fire departments become aware of the many Fire Interruption Technology™ benefits -- making a dangerous job safer while reducing the often staggering losses associated with fire."

About ARA Safety

ARA Safety is a world leader in innovative fire and life safety technology. ARA Safety's revolutionary Fire Interruption Technology (FIT) fire knock down tool is saving lives and reducing property loss in cities and towns across North America. ARA Safety's fire and life safety technologies also include the Zero Combustion line of fire proof sprays, paints and coatings, and its world leading line of Photoluminescent products. ARA Safety's technologies have been used by NASA, the Pentagon, the United States Military and are featured prominently on the Vancouver Shangri-La. ARA Safety Inc. is based in Vancouver, Canada. To learn more about ARA Safety visit, www.arasafety.com.

About Best of What's New

Each year, the editors of Popular Science review thousands of products in search of the top 100 tech innovations of the year; breakthrough products and technologies that represent a significant leap in their categories. The winners -- the Best of What's New -- are awarded inclusion in the much-anticipated December issue of Popular Science, the most widely read issue of the year since the debut of Best of What's New in 1987. Best of What's New awards are presented to 100 new products and technologies in 11 categories: Automotive, Aviation & Space, Computing, Engineering, Gadgets, Green Tech, Home Entertainment, Security, Home Tech, Personal Health and Recreation.

About Popular Science

Founded in 1872, Popular Science is the world's largest science and technology magazine; with a circulation of 1.3 million and 6.8 million monthly readers. Each month, Popular Science reports on the intersection of science and everyday life, with an eye toward what's new and why it matters. Popular Science is published by Bonnier Active Media, a subsidiary of Bonnier Corporation.

Contact Information: For editorial information: Michael Gardiner ARA Safety mgardiner@arasafety.com (778) 836-2108 For editorial information: Lisa Stern GolinHarris lstern@golinharris.com (312) 729-4385