arrow

AVL Phase 2 Terminal Modernization

Renderings courtesy of Gresham Smith

Arora Engineers, Inc. (Arora) was part of the team responsible for the expansion and modernization of the Asheville Regional Airport Authority’s (AVL) existing single story, seven gate terminal building to a two story, twelve gate terminal building. The terminal structure will be expanded from approximately 115,000 SF to 275,000 SF. Arora is serving as a subconsultant to Gresham Smith, a member of the design team for this Construction Manager @ Risk (CM@R) Delivery project. The project includes elements to enhance the terminal for future growth that AVL expects over the next 20 years.

The project also includes a new second level security screening checkpoint to allow for future growth and adaptability to evolving security needs, a modernization and resizing of the ticketing lobby to accommodate multiple users and growth, enhanced curbside amenities including dynamic signing elements, and a new baggage claim hall sized to meet the intended fleet mix and provide the necessary airline and airport support space, as well as a Central Energy Plant located on site to support the growing infrastructure needs while providing expandability and redundancy.

Arora is leading the Special Systems and Fire Protection Engineering design and providing Code Consulting services associated with the AVL Phase 2 Terminal Modernization Project.

SCOPE OF SERVICES INCLUDED:

The team began by completing a Basis of Design Report (BOD), which documented and analyzed the connections to the existing terminal building systems and tower which sits atop the terminal. The BOD analysis documented systems in need of upgrade, expansion, replacement and/or relocation. The data will be used for conceptual design and phasing to accurately determine how to keep systems active during construction. Arora’s design services include:

Special Systems – Services include:

  • Structured Cabling System
    • The terminal structured cabling system (SCS) will support all networked systems. The SCS is the backbone of all communications. Arora is coordinating, documenting and designing all systems structured cabling requirements including mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems, tenants’ systems, TSA, CBP, ACS, CCTV, EVIDS, CUPPS etc. Along with structured cabling, Arora is providing all infrastructure designs for backbone communication cables, including cable tray and conduits, and is coordinating closely with other building systems for routing including structural, mechanical and baggage systems. Very closely related to the SCS are the required telecommunications rooms (TR’s) for termination of passive infrastructure and origination of active networking components as well as space for ACS and other systems. Arora is working closely with building architects to appropriately size TR’s based on areas served and systems supported. Arora is responsible for all design and layout of cabinets, racks, wall fields, cable tray and telecommunications grounding systems.
  • Electronic Video Information Displays (EVIDS)
    • EVIDS includes traditional FIDS, BIDS, GIDS, RIDS, TIDS, Visual paging etc.
  • Public Address / Audio Paging Systems
    • Speaker selections and locations coordinated with architect
    • Ambient noise sensing system
    • Intelligibility calculations for all areas
    • Paging station requirements
    • Mass notification requirements
    • Backup power requirements for PA system components
    • Network device requirements
    • Paging system zoning
    • Integration with common use system for automated gate boarding
    • Integration with EVIDS and Visual paging systems for emergency notification and mass notification
    • Wiring diagrams
    • Elevations
    • Details
  • Access Control and CCTV
    • Arora is providing designs for security technology and infrastructure based on regulatory need and thorough risk assessment. CCTV cameras will be designed using the latest in IP camera technology, connected via the SCS to secure telecommunications rooms and storage network. Arora will select CCTV camera specifications based on the camera’s location, height and view. The design enables different terminal stakeholders to access video associated with their roles in the terminal.
    • CCTV cameras will be designed as part of the baggage handling system (BHS), as well as part of the airport’s CCTV system. Arora is coordinating with the BHS designer on areas of potential jams and designing CCTV cameras for those areas as well as monitoring of screening devices. CCTV camera views will be made available in the BHS system operation office as well as TSA screening rooms. All Baggage handling systems which cross from public space to secure or sterile space will be controlled and monitored by Access / Security Surveillance System (SA/SS).
    • Access control requires the design of access control doors, equipment, infrastructure, management software, integration with Fire, EVIDS, CCTV and BHS. Arora is working with the architect to identify and coordinate all access control door hardware.
    • Arora is providing design services for all required ACS and CCTV devices required for the new checkpoints inclusive of duress systems.
  • Wi-Fi, DAS
    • Arora is including the design of Wi-Fi and DAS systems.
  • Passenger Processing Systems
    • Arora is providing special systems design and engineering for common use systems or traditional passing reprocessing systems. Arora is working closely with the architect regarding common use equipment selection, locations functionality and programming. Arora is coordinating all ticketing and gate use equipment power requirements with other consultants, as well as millwork coordination. Arora will specify integration requirements between the common use system, MUFIDS, baggage reconciliation systems and public address/visual paging/mass notification systems. The design and engineering includes all required specifications and details as well as structured cabling requirements.

Fire Protection – The scope of work includes the design of various fire protection systems to provide a fully sprinklered building as required by Code. These systems include standard wet and dry water-based sprinkler and standpipe systems as well as deluge sprinkler, pre-action sprinkler and gaseous suppression systems for high value or high challenge assets. The fire protection systems are being designed in accordance with the applicable building codes and NFPA standards. A Water based fire suppression systems is being supplied by the existing water infrastructure, however hydraulic calculations will be performed to verify the existing capacity meets the proposed demand. The alteration of existing systems accounts for construction phasing to ensure fire protection occupied areas remain operational.

Code Consulting – Arora’s in-house design professionals are supporting the team with code consulting services. These services include occupancy classification, egress coordination, definition of fire/life safety strategies and the analysis of codes and design features.

Owner

Asheville Regional Airport Authority

Location

Asheville, NC

Sectors