Kota Kinabalu International Airport, Sabah, Malaysia

Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) is the main gateway into the state of Sabah (East Malaysia) and represents the second busiest airport in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Around 4 million passengers use this airport annually for domestic and international flights. The airport represents an important capital investment for the continued economic growth of the State of Sabah.

Scientific Fire Services Pty Limited conducted a comprehensive fire hazard analysis and fire safety engineering assessment of the proposed design for the KKIA expansion project.

The performance based fire safety engineering approach has permitted a more rational and logical basis of design supported by sophisticated engineering analyses. The design approach has resulted in significant savings through the relaxation of the prescriptive requirements while preserving the high levels of safety required for the KKIA terminal building.

Some of the design issues that formed the basis of the fire safety engineering approach included the following:

• Rationalisation of fire compartmentation volumes within the expansion terminal building.
• Use of non-protected structural steel elements incorporated into the main super-structure of the concourse level.
• Flexible occupant egress provisions adopted throughout general public areas of the KKIA building.
• Adoption of a fire separation strategy within the main public areas.
• Use of unique natural smoke ventilation system for the main public concourse areas.
• Rationalisation of automatic sprinkler coverage to the high ceiling space areas of the public concourse.

The assessment involved extensive Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling in order to ensure the smoke hazard management system performance was compatible with the life safety goals established by the design team.

Comprehensive structural analyses was undertaken utilising simulated fire conditions in order to predict the performance of the non-protected structural steel elements.

Detailed computer evacuation simulations were conducted for the entire airport building to determine effective occupant egress design was achieved and compatible with airport functionality and security measures.

The terminal building is scheduled to open in 2008.