COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling is a tool used by fire engineers which enables computer simulation of fluid flow and heat transfer. Engineers are able to gain an understanding of potential fire conditions through analysis of heat transfer, smoke movement, radiation and ventilation.

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CFD IN FIRE SAFETY DESIGN

CFD can be used to demonstrate how engineering solutions are effective in providing an equivalent level of safety to that of a code-compliant design solution.

Before the emergence of CFD simulation, practical problems with building design (outside code-compliant design) were addressed with hand calculations and basic zone modelling. Hand calculations only provide a numerical reference with regards to the spread of smoke and heat from fires and in the case of zone modelling, a very simple computational representation of performance in a given design.

There has been a significant increase in recent times of performance-based building design. As the boundaries of what is possible with architectural design and building geometry, as well as operational use of buildings are pushed further, hand calculations are not always appropriate or possible.

This has led to the need for Designers, Fire Safety Engineers and Approving Authorities to evaluate aspects of building design by adopting CFD analysis.

With the use of advanced CFD modelling simulations, as well as evacuation modelling programs, we are able to demonstrate effective solutions that provide an appropriate level of safety within a given design, whilst providing other significant benefits to the design.

COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL CFD APPLICATIONS

Experienced in both Commercial and Residential design projects, our team of engineers are familiar with issues faced in a wide variety of project settings that require a fire engineered approach. Whatever the project requirements, we can help to keep your project on budget through the utilisation of advanced techniques such as CFD.

These are some of the advantages CFD modelling can bring to a project:

Quantitative and qualitative assessment of a given scenario

Provide a more accurate assessment of the severity of fire and the likely impact to life and structure

Estimate how fire protection and engineering systems are influenced

Improve the effectiveness of evacuation procedures and the safety of building occupants

Inform fire barrier and structural fire engineering assessments

Financial savings

INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF CFD ANALYSIS

Not only is our strength in the development of CFD models, we also have extensive experience in reviewing CFD analysis undertaken by other Fire Safety Engineering practices.

Regent Fire Consultants are often called upon to provide an independent review of CFD analysis for Building Control (Local Authority and Approved Inspectors) and Fire and Rescue Services. These Approving Authorities often don’t have the expertise within the organisation to be able to competently review CFD modelling.

We have a proven track record of reviewing CFD modelling and strategies as part of the Building Regulations approval process, where we have supported Building Control and Fire and Rescue Services. We have also carried out independent review for Fire Safety Engineering practices, Architectural practices and Responsible Persons of large and complex buildings.

Some of the project types we have provided an independent review of CFD analysis for include:

Warehouse and Industrial buildings with extended travel distances and firefighter hose distances

Analysis of structural fire resistance and compartmentation requirements

External fire spread analysis

Smoke control system design

Extended travel distances in corridors of residential flats buildings

Analysis of strategies for the protection of escape staircases

Shopping mall and car park smoke control systems

As part of our independent review, Regent Fire Consultants will review the following:

Suitability of methods used

Suitability of the modelling when applied to the analysis of conditions for means of escape and firefighting

Input parameters and any assumptions

Output results

CFD analysis report

Fire strategy report and interaction with the CFD analysis

FORENSIC RECONSTRUCTION USING CFD

CFD modelling is being increasingly used by fire investigators to reconstruct fire scenarios and assist with the investigation of fires. Some of the key benefits of CFD modelling in supporting post fire incident investigation are to:

Understand the speed of smoke spread and the temperature

Determine the energy / heat release produced

Determine the toxicity levels from toxic gas species

Determine how fire growth can be influenced by different ventilation conditions

Inform court proceedings

Aid with resolving litigation issues

Inform advances in fire safety guidance

Inform advances in technology

By utilising CFD modelling (and evacuation modelling where required) we are able to support fire investigation by reconstructing fire scenarios.

Take a look at the video below 'CFD model of fire spread through smoke shaft' to review a case study of one of our fire reconstruction projects.