Objective
To protect building occupants from the spread of fire and smoke into the corridor connecting the new portion of the international terminal to an existing terminal.
Background
Austin Commercial and Gilbane Building Company opened a joint venture to tackle much-needed improvements at IAH. For this phase, the Houston Airport System focused on updating the original Mickey Leland International Terminal which opened in 1990 and now serves almost 2.5M passengers annually. To maintain the open space design of the new terminal, the City of Houston required fire-rated accordion systems at both ends of the adjoining corridor.
Solution
Griesenbeck solved the area separation challenge by providing 3-hour-rated UL-10B side-acting accordion fire shutters with ADA-compliant egress. The shutters deploy automatically by an alarm trigger allowing occupants to get to safety through use of push paddle exit devices on either side of the shutters. During a power failure, the system continues to protect occupants through use of an integrated D/C-power-operated battery backup. Once the fire alarm is cleared, the system automatically resets.
Result
The incorporation of these fire shutter systems offer peace of mind should an emergency happen but allow maximum use of space to allow increased passenger traffic to flow through during normal operations.
PROJECT DETAILS
Project Type:
Aviation
Manufacturer:
Product:
Side Folding Accordion Fire Shutters (1) 13’ W x 10’ 6” H Model AC8800CP-G with Egress & (1) 12’ W x 7’ 3” H Model AC8800-G with Egress
Architects:
Fentress Architects STOA Architects Smith & Company Architects
General Contractor:
Owner:
Location:
Houston, Texas
Photography:
Griesenbeck
Completion:
2024