Total Feuerschutz

TOTAL Feuerschutz GmbH is a German manufacturer of mobile rechargeable fire extinguishers and mobile firefighting systems for various applications and fire classes. Beyond manufacturing, the company also operates as a service provider in fire protection. Its origins date to 1912, when it was founded as Internationale Feuerlösch-Gesellschaft mbH; its first product, the "Schnell-Trocken-Feuerlöscher" (quick dry fire extinguisher), was patented that same year by the imperial patent office in Berlin under patent number 277836, described as a "Druckgasfeuerlöscher mit einem als Druckmittel dienenden Löschgas" (pressurized gas fire extinguisher using extinguishing gas as propellant). This device is regarded as a precursor to all modern mobile fire extinguishers and revolutionized firefighting at the time. After World War I, the firefighting industry faced severe economic difficulties, yet production of the Total fire extinguisher continued in Berlin. To open new markets, the company began producing firefighting vehicles with Total extinguishing systems in 1923. The Komet process for producing extinguishing foam, patented in 1932 by Clemens Wagner, was further developed by Total. In 1936, administration and production moved from Berlin to Apolda in Thuringia, where a former textile factory was converted and significantly expanded according to plans by Egon Eiermann; the so-called Eiermann-Bau is now a listed building. After World War II, expropriation by the Soviets was a severe blow. In a "Nacht-und-Nebel-Aktion" (night-and-fog operation), unfinished products, patents and drawings were transported from the Apolda plant to Oberschefflenz in the Rhine-Neckar region. In 1948, Walter Becker joined the company and, after extensive land purchases, moved the headquarters to Ladenburg. In Ladenburg, Total products were improved and further developed. For the first time, fire extinguishers with hoses and extinguishing pistols were manufactured. Firefighting vehicles with fully automatic fire extinguishing systems, used in industrial operations and at airports, kept order books full. From 1958, radiation measuring devices were built in Ladenburg to equip fire brigades during the era of nuclear armament. Development of airport firefighting vehicles also continued. In 1969, an airport firefighting vehicle with 12 tonnes of extinguishing powder was presented for the first time. Powder products became increasingly in demand, so in 1972 a powder tower was erected at the Ladenburg plant. The company employed around 1,000 people. Total also entered the maritime rescue sector. The firefighting cruiser "Weser" was equipped in 1976 with 30 extinguishing nozzles, so that ship fires on the Weser and in Bremen harbor were usually brought under control quickly. Until 1987, investments were made at the Ladenburg site in new buildings and in the fire training ground. As early as 1980, the Krupp group had acquired the company. For economic reasons, production of firefighting equipment was relocated to Cologne in 1987. From 1990, the company switched from dealer sales to direct sales. In 1998, the shares of Neuhaus Feuerlöschgeräte GmbH were acquired. After the takeover in 1990 by Wormard International, which in turn was acquired in 1991 by the US conglomerate Tyco, following a merger in September 2016 the globally operating building technology provider Johnson Controls became the new owner. Today, TOTAL Feuerschutz continues to operate as a brand and service provider in fire protection under the Johnson Controls umbrella.

The company was founded in 1912 as Internationale Feuerlösch-Gesellschaft mbH. Its first product, the "Schnell-Trocken-Feuerlöscher", was patented in 1912 by the imperial patent office in Berlin under patent number 277836, described as a "Druckgasfeuerlöscher mit einem als Druckmittel dienenden Löschgas". It can be regarded as the precursor of all modern mobile fire extinguishers and revolutionized firefighting. After World War I, companies in the firefighting sector faced significant economic problems. Despite the difficult circumstances, production of the Total fire extinguisher continued in Berlin. To open new markets, firefighting vehicles with Total extinguishing systems were produced for the first time in 1923. The Komet process for producing extinguishing foam, patented in 1932 by Clemens Wagner, was further developed by Total. In 1936, the administration and production of the Total company were moved from Berlin to Apolda in Thuringia. A former textile factory was converted and significantly expanded according to plans by Egon Eiermann. The so-called Eiermann-Bau is today a listed building. After World War II, expropriation by the Soviets was a severe blow for the company. In a "Nacht-und-Nebel-Aktion", unfinished products, patents and drawings were transported from the Apolda plant to Oberschefflenz in the Rhine-Neckar region. In 1948, Walter Becker joined the company; after extensive land purchases, he moved the company headquarters to Ladenburg. In Ladenburg, Total products were improved and further developed. For the first time, fire extinguishers with hoses and extinguishing pistols were manufactured. Firefighting vehicles with fully automatic fire extinguishing systems, used among others in industrial operations and at airports, kept order books full. From 1958, radiation measuring devices were built in Ladenburg to equip fire brigades in times of nuclear armament. Development of firefighting vehicles for airports also continued. In 1969, an airport firefighting vehicle with 12 tonnes of extinguishing powder was presented for the first time. Powder products became increasingly in demand, so in 1972 the powder tower was erected at the Ladenburg plant. Around 1,000 employees worked at the company. Total also entered the rescue sector of the shipping industry. The firefighting cruiser "Weser" was equipped in 1976 with 30 extinguishing nozzles, so that ship fires on the Weser and in Bremen harbor were usually brought under control quickly. Until 1987, investments were made at the Ladenburg site in new buildings and in the fire training ground. As early as 1980, the Krupp group had acquired the company. For economic reasons, production of firefighting equipment was relocated to Cologne in 1987. From 1990, the company switched from sales via dealers to direct sales. In 1998, the shares of Neuhaus Feuerlöschgeräte GmbH were acquired. After the takeover in 1990 by Wormard International, which in turn was acquired in 1991 by the US conglomerate Tyco, following a merger in September 2016 the globally operating building technology provider Johnson Controls became the new owner.

• 2016

  After merger in September 2016, Johnson Controls became new owner.

• 1998

  Acquired shares of Neuhaus Feuerlöschgeräte GmbH.

• 1991

  Wormard International acquired by US conglomerate Tyco.

• 1990

  Switched from dealer sales to direct sales; acquired by Wormard International.

• 1987

  Production of firefighting equipment relocated to Cologne.

• 1980

  Krupp group acquired the company.

• 1976

  Firefighting cruiser "Weser" equipped with 30 extinguishing nozzles.

• 1972

  Powder tower erected at Ladenburg plant.

• 1969

  Presented first airport firefighting vehicle with 12 tonnes of extinguishing powder.

• 1958

  Started building radiation measuring devices in Ladenburg.

• 1948

  Walter Becker joined the company and moved headquarters to Ladenburg.

• 1936

  Administration and production moved from Berlin to Apolda, Thuringia.

• 1932

  Komet process for extinguishing foam patented by Clemens Wagner, further developed by Total.

• 1923

  First production of firefighting vehicles with Total extinguishing systems.

• 1912

  Founded as Internationale Feuerlösch-Gesellschaft mbH; first product Schnell-Trocken-Feuerlöscher patented.

German heritage manufacturer and service provider in mobile fire protection, now part of Johnson Controls.

• Schnell-Trocken-Feuerlöscher

  First product, a quick dry fire extinguisher patented in 1912.

• Mobile rechargeable fire extinguishers

  Core product line for various applications and fire classes.

• Mobile firefighting systems

  Vehicle-mounted extinguishing systems.

• Firefighting vehicles

  Including airport firefighting vehicles with large powder capacity.

• Extinguishing foam (Komet process)

  Foam production process further developed by Total.

• Radiation measuring devices

  Built from 1958 for fire brigades.

1. 1Total (Feuerschutz) - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
2. 2Total (Feuerschutz) - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Official websitetotal-feuerschutz.de