3M Scott Fire & Safety
A 3M safety brand supplying respiratory protection, firefighting equipment, detection systems, and related protective technologies for professional users.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
3M Scott Fire & Safety is the 3M brand associated with Scott’s portfolio of respiratory protection, firefighting, emergency-response, and industrial-safety equipment. The business traces its origins to Uniloy Accessories Corporation, founded in 1932 in Lancaster, New York by Earl M. Scott as an aeronautics-parts producer. Its early work on portable oxygen systems led to a longer-term focus on breathing-air technology, eventually extending into equipment for firefighters and other users operating in contaminated, oxygen-deficient, or otherwise hazardous environments. The business is particularly associated with self-contained breathing apparatus, including the Scott Air-Pak line, as well as supplied-air and air-purifying respirators, breathing-air compressors, gas-detection equipment, firefighting helmets and masks, and thermal-imaging systems. Its customers and users have included firefighters, first responders, industrial workers, military personnel, medical personnel, and other professional operators who require respiratory or personal protection. Products are designed for situations involving smoke, toxic gases, airborne particles, heat, oxygen deficiency, or other operational hazards. The company changed names and ownership several times during its development. The original business became Scott Aviation and later formed part of Scott Technologies. In 1999, the business was divided into Scott Aviation and Scott Health and Safety. Tyco International acquired the company in 2001, and the safety business adopted the Scott Safety name in 2011. In 2014, Scott Safety acquired Industrial Safety Technologies, a gas- and flame-protection business, expanding its detection and industrial-safety capabilities. 3M agreed to acquire Scott Safety in 2017 and completed the transaction that year. On April 26, 2018, 3M announced the rebranding of Scott Safety as 3M Scott Fire & Safety. The brand therefore operates within 3M rather than as a separately listed company. Its principal headquarters are in Monroe, North Carolina, with facilities and operations reported in several other countries, including the United Kingdom, Australia, China, and the United Arab Emirates. The brand’s best-known offerings include the Air-Pak self-contained breathing apparatus, compressor systems for filling breathing-air cylinders, Duraflow respiratory equipment, gas-detection systems, and Scott Sight thermal-imaging technology integrated into firefighting headgear. Public information identifies 3M Scott Fire & Safety as an active safety business, although detailed information about present organizational leadership, product-by-product availability, and the precise post-2026 ownership structure is limited. In March 2026, 3M announced a proposed transaction involving Madison Fire & Rescue and a planned fire-and-safety joint venture; the announced transaction was expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to customary conditions, so it should not be treated as completed without a later closing announcement.
History
3M Scott Fire & Safety developed from a business founded in 1932 as Uniloy Accessories Corporation in Lancaster, New York. Earl M. Scott established the company as an aeronautics-parts producer. During its first year, the business began developing a portable onboard oxygen system for pilots, establishing a technical foundation in breathing-air equipment that later became important to its safety operations. The company subsequently adopted the Scott Aviation name. In 1945, it began producing the Air-Pak self-contained breathing apparatus. The product helped extend self-contained breathing apparatus technology into firefighting and became an important part of the company’s identity. Scott Aviation was acquired by Figgie International in 1967. In 1976, it worked with NASA on the production of a high-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus, reflecting the company’s continuing involvement in advanced breathing-air systems. The business was renamed Scott Technologies in 1997. In 1999, Scott Technologies separated its activities into two companies: Scott Aviation and Scott Health and Safety. The latter became the principal predecessor of the modern fire-and-safety brand. Its portfolio expanded beyond breathing apparatus to include personal protective equipment, supplied-air and air-purifying respirators, compressors, gas-detection systems, and equipment for firefighters, industrial workers, military personnel, and emergency responders. Tyco International acquired the company in 2001. Before that acquisition, the company had been publicly traded on NASDAQ under the ticker SCTT, but the modern Scott Safety business is not separately listed. In 2011, Scott Health and Safety changed its name to Scott Safety. The company broadened its industrial-safety reach in 2014 by acquiring Industrial Safety Technologies, a gas- and flame-protection business reported to have been purchased for $329.5 million. 3M entered negotiations to acquire Scott Safety in 2017 and completed the acquisition during that year. The transaction placed Scott Safety within 3M’s safety and industrial businesses. On April 26, 2018, 3M announced that it was rebranding Scott Safety as 3M Scott Fire & Safety. The Scott Safety name has nevertheless continued to be used in descriptions of the business and its product heritage. The business is headquartered in Monroe, North Carolina. Public descriptions also identify facilities or operations in the United Kingdom, Australia, China, and Abu Dhabi. Its products are used in fire response, emergency operations, industrial work, military applications, medical settings, and other environments where users may encounter smoke, toxic gases, airborne particles, high heat, oxygen deficiency, or other hazards. The product portfolio has included the Scott Air-Pak SCBA, breathing-air compressor systems, Duraflow respiratory equipment, gas-detection systems, and Scott Sight thermal-imaging technology. Scott Sight, introduced in 2016, placed a thermal-imaging camera and display within a firefighting mask or helmet system so that users could view thermal information while maintaining their external field of view. In March 2026, 3M announced a proposed transaction involving Madison Fire & Rescue, Bain Capital, and Scott Safety. Under the announced structure, 3M would contribute Scott Safety to a new joint venture, receive cash proceeds, and retain a majority interest. The proposed transaction was expected to close in the second half of 2026 and should be regarded as pending unless a subsequent completion announcement is verified.
- 2026
Proposed fire-and-safety joint venture announced
[1]3M announced a proposed joint venture involving Scott Safety, Bain Capital, and Madison Fire & Rescue, with closing expected in the second half of 2026 subject to conditions.
- 2018
Rebranded as 3M Scott Fire & Safety
[1]3M announced the rebranding of Scott Safety as 3M Scott Fire & Safety.
- 2017
3M completes Scott Safety acquisition
[1]3M completed its acquisition of Scott Safety.
- 2016
Scott Sight thermal-imaging system introduced
[1]Scott Safety began producing firefighting masks incorporating Scott Sight thermal-imaging technology.
- 2014
Industrial Safety Technologies acquired
[1]Scott Safety acquired Industrial Safety Technologies, expanding its gas- and flame-protection capabilities.
- 2011
Scott Health and Safety adopts Scott Safety name
[1]The business changed its name from Scott Health and Safety to Scott Safety.
- 2001
Acquired by Tyco International
[1]Tyco International acquired the company and incorporated it into its industrial and safety activities.
- 1999
Scott Technologies separates its businesses
[1]The business was separated into Scott Aviation and Scott Health and Safety.
- 1997
Business renamed Scott Technologies
[1]The company adopted the Scott Technologies name.
- 1976
High-pressure SCBA developed with NASA
[1]Scott Aviation partnered with NASA to produce an early high-pressure self-contained breathing apparatus.
Products and positioning
Professional respiratory protection and life-safety equipment for firefighters, first responders, military personnel, industrial workers, medical personnel, and other users in hazardous environments.
Self-contained breathing apparatus · 1945
Scott Air-Pak SCBA
The Air-Pak line is the brand’s flagship self-contained breathing apparatus family. SCBA units provide firefighters and other professional users with an independent breathing-air supply rather than relying on contaminated or oxygen-deficient ambient air. The line is associated with structural firefighting, emergency response, and other hazardous-environment operations.
Respiratory protection
Supplied-air and air-purifying respirators
These respiratory-protection products support users who need either an external supply of breathing air or filtration and purification of ambient air. Applications include industrial work, emergency response, medical operations, and environments containing smoke, particulates, gases, or other airborne hazards.
Breathing-air compressor system
HushAir 7500 Connect
The HushAir 7500 Connect is a breathing-air compressor system designed for filling SCBA cylinders and supporting respiratory-protection operations. Its associated system architecture includes compressor, storage, and charging functions, with a stated 7,500-psi design and connectivity-oriented controls.
Compressor and cylinder charging control
SmartTouch Controller
SmartTouch Controller is associated with Scott’s breathing-air compressor systems. It integrates operational control for the compressor, storage bottles, and cylinder charging station, helping users manage breathing-air filling workflows.
Respiratory protection
Duraflow breathing apparatus
Duraflow is a breathing-apparatus product family intended to help professional users avoid inhaling airborne contaminants. Reported applications include medical and other controlled environments where airborne disease or particulate exposure is a concern.
Gas and flame detection
Gas-detection systems
The brand’s gas-detection portfolio is used to identify hazardous gases and support worker and responder safety. It is linked to Scott’s broader industrial-safety capabilities and to the company’s expansion through the acquisition of Industrial Safety Technologies.
Firefighter personal protective equipment
Firefighting helmets and masks
Scott firefighting head and face protection is designed for professional firefighters and emergency responders. The products form part of a wider protective system used in high-temperature, smoke-filled, and physically hazardous rescue environments.
Thermal-imaging equipment · 2016
Scott Sight
Scott Sight is a thermal-imaging system integrated into firefighting mask or helmet equipment. Its display presents thermal information within the wearer’s peripheral view, allowing firefighters to supplement handheld thermal-imaging tools while continuing to observe the scene ahead. Reported specifications include a nine-frame-per-second image, operation of up to four hours, and a camera-and-display assembly weighing approximately 8.5 ounces.
Marketing campaigns
- 2018Scott Safety rebranding to 3M Scott Fire & Safety
Global markets
Following 3M’s acquisition of Scott Safety, 3M announced a brand transition to 3M Scott Fire & Safety, connecting the established Scott product heritage with the 3M corporate brand.
Outcome. The 3M Scott Fire & Safety name became the public-facing brand designation, while Scott Safety continued to be used as a historical and product-reference name.
Brand decisions
2026
Proposed fire-and-safety joint venture with Bain CapitalM&ABackground
3M announced a plan to combine Scott Safety with Madison Fire & Rescue in a new fire-and-safety joint venture backed by Bain Capital.
Action taken
Under the announced terms, 3M would contribute Scott Safety, receive $700 million in cash proceeds at closing, and own 50.1% of the proposed venture, while Bain Capital would own 49.9%. The venture was also expected to acquire Madison Fire & Rescue for $1.95 billion.
Aftermath
The transaction was expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions. Completion and the resulting operating structure require confirmation from a later source.
Announced cash proceeds to 3M; proposed Madison Fire & Rescue acquisition value. $700 million cash proceeds to 3M; $1.95 billion proposed acquisition value (Announced March 2026; proposed closing in the second half of 2026)
2018
Rebrand Scott Safety as 3M Scott Fire & SafetyStrategyBackground
After completing the Scott Safety acquisition, 3M sought to align the business with its corporate brand while retaining the recognition associated with Scott’s safety products.
Action taken
3M announced the rebranding of Scott Safety as 3M Scott Fire & Safety.
Aftermath
The brand continued within 3M’s safety portfolio under the combined 3M and Scott name.
2017
3M acquisition of Scott SafetyM&ABackground
Scott Safety was an established supplier of firefighting, respiratory-protection, and industrial-safety equipment.
Action taken
3M acquired Scott Safety and incorporated the business into its safety and industrial operations.
Aftermath
The business subsequently adopted the 3M Scott Fire & Safety branding.
Announced acquisition value. $2 billion reported transaction value (2017)
2016
Introduce Scott Sight thermal imagingProduct launchBackground
Firefighters using handheld thermal-imaging equipment may need to divert attention or hands from other tasks during emergency operations.
Action taken
Scott Safety introduced a firefighting mask and helmet-integrated thermal-imaging system that places a display within the wearer’s peripheral view.
Aftermath
Scott Sight became part of the brand’s technology-oriented firefighting equipment portfolio.
2014
Acquire Industrial Safety TechnologiesM&ABackground
Scott Safety operated across respiratory protection and industrial safety and sought to expand its gas- and flame-protection capabilities.
Action taken
Scott Safety acquired Industrial Safety Technologies in a transaction reported at $329.5 million.
Aftermath
The acquisition broadened the business’s industrial detection and protection portfolio.
Reported acquisition price. $329.5 million transaction value (2014)
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