Fire modeling is used to stimulate and predict fire and smoke behavior in various scenarios. Through algorithms and mathematical equations, experts can predict how fire and smoke would spread within a specific environment. After assessing the potential impacts of fire on a structure, fire protection engineers can use these factors to inform designs and enhance fire safety.

How is Fire Modelling Used?

Fire models and simulations are used in various disciplines. Fire models are commonly used to support fire protection systems design.

Here are 4 key examples of how fire protection engineers use fire models:

1. Evaluating Performance-based designs

Fire modeling is often used to evaluate performance-based designs. In this advanced approach to fire protection design, engineers create tailored designs instead of a one size fits all type of design based on prescriptive codes and standards. This approach is used in situations where prescriptive codes are not suitable such as with historic buildings or atypical building designs.

This type of approach requires a higher level of technical analysis from engineers and fire modeling is frequently used to inform their designs. Fire modeling allows engineers to answer ‘what if’ questions and evaluate which fire protection designs are the most effective under different conditions. Fire models can determine the effectiveness of fire sprinklers, smoke detectors, and building design features. Design optimization allows for modifications to building design features, such as ventilation systems, fire barriers, and sprinkler layouts to improve fire safety performance.

2. Cost Savings

Fire modeling allows engineers to understand the most efficient way to design fire safety components. This improves the effectiveness of the fire safety systems, but also has the additional benefit of identifying cost saving opportunities. Money can be saved in the construction process because issues can be identified prior to costly construction efforts, and also in the design process because fire modelling can facilitate better resource allocation by locating high-risk areas and optimizing resources to make the fire protection design more efficient and cost effective. By using fire modeling to inform fire protection system design, fires can be prevented or their severity reduced. This minimizes costly damage to life and property, as well as operations downtime due to fire damage.

3. Predicting Smoke Movement

In the case of a fire, smoke can create significant obstacles and slow down building evacuation, so it is important to incorporate measures to protect occupants from smoke. Models are useful in predicting the spread of smoke and determining the best ways to keep occupants safe. Through smoke modeling, experts can decide what fire protection measures should be utilized. This includes:

• Designing Smoke Control Systems can be added to building designs to prevent dangerous smoke inhalation and help occupants avoid smoke when evacuating a building. Modeling can be used to evaluate different design choices related to smoke control and ensure the efficiency of the design.
• Optimizing Evacuation Routes. Models can help to optimize evacuation routes by stimulating smoke movement and visibility. Models can be used to determine areas within the building that will remain relatively smoke-free for longer periods, and which will be the safest escape routes that minimize exposure to smoke and heat.
• Design Safer Buildings. Smoke modeling allows experts to make informed decisions about building materials, ventilation systems, and the placement of exits to improve overall fire safety.

4. Fire Investigation

Fire protection engineers can use fire models to investigate a fire after it has occurred. This involves recreating fire scenarios after an incident in order to understand the cause and contributing factors, to aid in fire investigation. By incorporating known events into the fire model, the model can provide a prediction of the unknown variables. These models can assist in determining such information as when flashover occurred, when an egress path became untenable, or when a detector should have activated. Fire models can prove invaluable in testing hypotheses of fire origin and cause, and provide insight into the timeline of a fire.

Smoke Model Example

This smoke model on the left examines the spread of smoke throughout the compartments within a specific building. In this model scenario the fire was started on the mattress in the bedroom. The model demonstrates how the smoke spreads and spreads from room to room rapidly until the point of no visibility. The model of the given room, with the described fuel load, the contents of the room, and the chemistry of the fire, shows that the fire with these factors create a smoldering fire which produces an excess of smoke. The model shows that the effect of the doors being left open within the building is that this provides much more oxygen to fuel the fire, and also increase the potential for toxic gasses and smoke to spread through the rooms. The fire model on the left shows the smoke spread with the doors left shut. It demonstrates how this simple measure contains the smoke into one room and prevents the spread of toxic smoke and fumes.

What Are the Limitations of Using Computer Fire Models?

Computer fire models have some limitations including:

Reliance on Accurate Input Data

The accuracy of a fire model heavily relies on the quality and completeness of input data, such as fuel properties, ventilation conditions, and building geometry. Because the accuracy of smoke modeling relies heavily on the quality of the input data, the most accurate predictions will be generated by experts who have a deep understanding of the models and data.

Accurate Results Require Expertise in Fire Dynamics

Models rely on assumptions about fire growth and intensity, which can vary significantly in real-world scenarios. This why fire models should be used by professionals who have a deep understanding of fire science and can combine fire modeling results with expert judgement.

The engineers at Ran Fire Protection engineering are experts in using fire and smoke models to inform their fire protection designs. Get in touch to learn about how we can protect your property from fire.