The building should have a limited amount of system smoke detection strategically placed for system activation. Occupant notification should be provided throughout by a fire alarm system providing specific voice instruction for directing the public either to an exit or other location in the building. These systems should be designed and installed in accordance with the National Fire Alarm Code. Smoke control is not normally required for an airport terminal or concourse building. However, with the provision of a smoke control system there is the added life safety benefit for the occupants and helps support the use of special egress control devises.
Concourses are multi-level buildings consisting of contiguous open spaces between floors.
Some concourses are more than a mile long and are considered by some fire officials as a high-rise building lying on its side. Such a building could pose similar fire protection challenges as a 50-story building. Smoke control is typically the exhaust of a zone or area in alarm and pressurization of the adjacent areas. This approach provides a safe haven or refuge area for occupants of the building without evacuating the building. This should include monitoring the areas with access to the CCTV camera system to access fire conditions or panic with the availability to release the exit doors remotely.