News

This release adds support for BIM model import using the IFC format, opening Results visualization in VR headset mode, and updated support for FDS version 6.7.0.  Read More...

The next releases of Pathfinder and PyroSim will include the capability to import Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) files that describe building data. In Pathfinder, this can significantly speed model creation since it includes automatic extraction of  floors, doors, and stairs. This post demonstrates this feature.  Read More...

One poorly understood compartment phenomenon is pulsating fires. Under certain circumstances, pulsing behaviour have been observed in both pre- and post-flashover compartments and have been identified with poorly ventilated compartments. In this paper, a series of small scale post-flashover compartment fires that exhibited sustained harmonic pulsing are simulated in FDS6. Read More...

A long-term development goal has been to fully couple the PyroSim/FDS fire results with Pathfinder evacuation. A first step toward this goal is the capability to display both fire and evacuation results in the same results viewer. However, full coupling of the two simulations has not been completed. In the interim, it is possible to run the fire simulation, monitor the reduced visibility due to smoke, and then manually use that information to slow and re-direct occupants in response to the fire. This provides an example.  Read More...

This paper reviews the current capabilities of people movement models, non-traditional uses for egress models not related to fire egress, and the adaptations of models necessary to enable broader more robust simulations, including security and ingress, dynamic signage and active wayfinding, and interior tasks (carrying or pushing objects, occupant assistance, etc.) Read More...

To reduce the computational time for modelling large tunnel networks, we used FDS6.1 to investigate the solver’s capabilities for multi-scale modelling by combining 1D and full CFD models in the same domain. This study is to investigate the capabilities of FDS6.1 for simulating a tunnel ventilation system (cold and fire) using the multi-scale method. Read More...

The Fire and Evacuation Modeling Technical Conference (FEMTC) 2018 concluded earlier this month as a tremendous success. Moving back to the United States after visiting southern Spain in 2016, this year’s conference was held in Gaithersburg, Maryland just around the corner from the NIST campus. Over 70 individuals were in attendance. Conference members included engineers, ... Read More...

The next releases of Pathfinder and PyroSim will include the capability to display results using the Oculus Rift virtual reality (VR) headset. This post gives a preview of how to use this capability.  Read More...

This is a maintenance release of PetraSim that provides several bug fixes including a bug in the cell-well intersection algorithm. Read More...

This paper treats on the subject of including wind as a boundary condition in CFD analysis used in Fire Safety Engineering. Adverse wind effect is observed mostly on the performance of natural smoke and heat ventilators – and often is included in numerical studies performed by engineers. This paper provides with general guidelines on the Computational Wind Engineering, as well as to relevant references. Paper emphasizes on the necessity of building large enough domain and performing an angle sensitivity analysis, to determine the worst wind conditions for the vents. Only then the fire-related CFD/CWE coupled analysis may be performed, with reasonable and believable results. Read More...