Computer Fire Modeling

Fire protection engineers use complex mathematical tools for analysis involving fire and life safety in buildings. These tools, often referred to as computer fire models, are particularly valuable when the analysis involves comparing the relative merits of two possible solutions where one solution is prescribed by the building code and the other is an alternative method developed by the fire protection engineer.

In addition, computer fire models have proven to be powerful tools for investigators performing post-fire reconstruction and analysis.

Capabilities of modern computer fire models include:

• Predicting fire growth and behavior
• Evaluating occupant egress
• Analyzing smoke control systems
• Predicting detector actuation time
• Providing plausible post-fire timeline of events

Below is a partial list of the computer fire models we commonly use. For more complete listings and additional information, visit the Building and Fire Research Laboratory web site of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

• AEA EGRESS – Analysis of Occupant Egress
• ASCOS – Analysis of Smoke Control Systems
• ASET-B – Available Safe Egress Time – Basic
• ASMET – Atria Smoke Management Engineering Tools
• BREAK1 – Berkley Algorithm for Breaking Window Glass
• CCFM – Consolidated Compartment Fire Model Version VENTS
• CONTAM W – Multi-Zone Indoor Network Airflow Model
• DETACT-QS – Detector Actuation – Quasi-Steady
• DETACT-T2 – Detector Actuation – Time Squared
• ELVAC – Elevator Evacuation
• EVACNET+ – Occupant Egress Evaluation
• EXITT – Simulation of occupant decisions, actions, and movement
• FASTLITE – Collection of fire models and algorithms, successor to FPETool
• FDS – Fire Dynamics Simulator
• FIRDEMND – Hand-Held Hose Stream Suppression Model
• FIRST – FIRe Simulation Technique
• FPETOOL – Collection of various fire models and algorithms
• HAZARD1 – Building hazard analysis
• LAVENT – Vent response in compartment fires with draft curtains and ceiling vents

With a high-speed internet connection, you can click on the following images for demos:

If you would like more information, or believe your firm could benefit from Harrington Group’s expertise, we invite you to contact us. Our engineers are trained to listen to your needs and concerns, and help you move forward to find the Best Total Solution.

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