A multicell concept, which first divides the total space into subspaces and then uses the traditional two-layer zone model in each subspace, is performed in this paper to simulate the smoke filling process in a domestic boarding-arrival passage, with an aspect ratio of about 52.3, of an international airport terminal by using CFAST version 4.0.2. Results show that the impingement of ceiling jet upon the passage ends is a critical time for the evacuation of people near these ends. Some comparisons are also presented to show that more reasonable results about the smoke temperature field and the smoke layer interface height are achieved using this method than using the traditional two-layer zone model. Further, results through different subspace dividing technology and using FDS version 3.0, a CFD model, are also achieved and compared on simulating the smoke filling process in a simplified passage, for the purpose of studying the prediction of impingement time, the smoke temperature distribution, and the smoke layer interface height development pattern before and after the impingement. The limitations of this modeling technology and future research topics are also discussed.
