What are the fire suppression requirements for a restaurant concession inside a secured terminal at DFW?
A restaurant concession within a secured airport terminal triggers requirements from multiple regulatory layers. Here is the breakdown:
1. Automatic Sprinkler System (Required)
The space requires an automatic sprinkler system per NFPA 13 §8.3.3.1 (p. 142). As an A-2 assembly occupancy within a fully sprinklered building, the restaurant area must have Ordinary Hazard Group 1 density of 0.15 gpm/sf over the most remote 1,500 sq ft.
The Texas amendments add a requirement for quick-response sprinkler heads in all new food service areas per TX Amend. TAC §28.34.C.12 (p. 8).
2. Kitchen Hood Suppression
Commercial cooking operations require a Type I hood with a listed fire-extinguishing system per IBC 2021 §904.12 (p. 287) and NFPA 96 §10.1 (p. 34). The hood system must be UL 300 listed and protect all cooking surfaces, including the area between the cooking appliance and the hood.
3. FAA-Specific Requirements
Since this is within a secured terminal area, FAA AC 150/5220-18B §4.2.3 (p. 22) requires that the fire suppression system be integrated with the terminal's central fire alarm monitoring system. Activation must trigger notification to the Airport Operations Center (AOC) in addition to the local fire department.
4. DFW Local Amendments
DFW Airport has adopted the City of Dallas Fire Code with local amendments. Per Dallas FC §903.2.1.2 (Local Amend.) (p. 12), all commercial cooking in public assembly areas over 200 sq ft require an Ansul R-102 or equivalent wet chemical system in addition to the overhead sprinklers. DFW Board Order 2023-0847 further requires annual testing documentation submitted to the Airport Fire Marshal.
5. Occupancy Separation
The restaurant (A-2) must be separated from the terminal circulation space (A-3) by a fire barrier with a minimum 1-hour fire-resistance rating per IBC 2021 §508.4, Table 508.4 (p. 165), unless the entire floor area is treated as a nonseparated mixed-use occupancy.
Does the quick-response sprinkler amendment apply if the permit was filed before July 1, 2026?
Good question. The Texas amendment includes a grandfather clause. Per TX Amend. TAC §28.34.C.12(b) (p. 9):
So yes, if Suncoast Airport Terminal B's permit is filed before July 1, 2026, standard-response sprinkler heads remain acceptable in the restaurant concession areas. However, there are two caveats:
1. The permit application must be "complete and accepted" — not just submitted. Per TX Amend. TAC §28.34.A.3 (p. 2), the AHJ has 15 business days to accept or reject for completeness.
2. Any subsequent revision to the fire protection scope after July 1, 2026 may trigger the new requirement for the revised portions, per the "substantial revision" clause in TX Amend. TAC §28.34.C.12(c) (p. 9).
Recommendation: Ensure the permit application includes the full fire protection scope and submit before the deadline to preserve the option to use standard-response heads, which reduces material cost by approximately 15-20% for the food service areas.