CFD Notes

Stages in Fire CFD analysis(SCA Guide lines)

STAGE-1

Qualitative Design Review

 The QDR is a qualitative process that allows the Fire Engineers / CFD modeller supported by
stakeholders to use their experience and knowledge to critically analyse the design problem,
develop fire safety objectives and quantitative assessment criteria.
 Items for consideration:
 Review the architectural design. There may be architectural features or floor
 plan layouts which cannot be justified in which case these would need to be
 amended.
 Establish the fire safety objectives.
 Agree tools and software that is fit for purpose and appropriate to model and capture the
physics in the resulting analysis.
 Identify fire hazards and possible risks, this should include possible ignition sources,
combustible fixtures and content, materials of construction,
 Establish trial fire safety designs
 Describe tenability criteria
 Identify acceptance criteria and methods of analysis. Acceptance criteria should be justified
using established values where practicable rather than individual standalone studies.
 Determine type and number of simulation(s) to be prepared to demonstrate design
objectives.
 Decide how the results will need to be presented to demonstrate objectives i.e. using
velocity, speed, temperature, visibility, etc.
 Collate reference material and / or any previous test results for use later when checking the
credibility of results.
 Establish Fire Scenarios for analysis.
 Establish CFD review process

STAGE-2

CFD Modelling process

 Selection of computational fluid domain boundary.

 Selection of geometric detail to be represented in the computational domain.
 Creation of the geometric model(s).
o 3d Model from the 2D design using walls, slabs, blocks, holes ect.
 Mesh / grid generation.
o The computational domain is sub-divided into a large number of smaller cells.
o Where a fire is being modelled, the flow phenomena driving smoke movement are
resolved adequately. Fire area and thermal plume-sufficient detail (fine mesh) is
needed to capture the rise of the hot gases.
 o Sufficient mesh cells are used to describe the dimensions of the fan / inlet / extract
in the plane normal to the direction of flow (typically, several will be required – the
guidance of the product developer should be followed).
 Define physics for the simulation(s).
 Select appropriate 'Sub models' (if applicable) including definition of sources (and / or
species) within the model (i.e. fire, contamination etc.).
 Define appropriate boundary conditions.
 Define appropriate initial conditions.
 Select solver time / number of iterations, results to be obtained from the solver, monitor
points etc.
 Run the simulation(s)
 Interpretation of results: Sanity check – Check the results provide a reasonable
representation of real-life events.
 Technical Review – Confirm the performance objectives been achieved.
 Decide what further actions should be taken if objectives not achieved.

STAGE-3

Report and presentation of result

The documentation should include at least the following information:

 A simple summary description of the case being assessed.

 The design criteria and objectives of the analysis agreed in the QDR.
 The rationale for the fire scenarios investigated
 Details of the CFD model used
 The results of the analysis with discussion points
 A conclusive statement as to whether the design criteria and objectives have been met.
 The reports should be fully referenced and should provide sufficient information for the
reviewer to complete the analysis independently and reach the same conclusions.

Presentation of results

The locations of the images taken must be relevant to the issues being investigated, showing the
flow regime at areas of interest, and at relevant elevations or regions of activity.

 Smoke propagation and soot density

 2D slices of velocity, temperature, visibility and pressure
 3D slice
Important Documents
Mesh resolution

*FDS user guide

 Mesh size calculation
*[Link]

The FDS tool generate 3 different MESH lines corresponding to different

resolutions (coarse, medium, fine). It will be up to the end user to
understand which is the optimal resolution based on the purposes of
the simulation.

The resolutions proposed by the script are calculated based on the

characteristic fire diameter (D*), which is calculated with this formula
(see chapter “Mesh Resolution” of the FDS user guide) :

 ˙Q is the total heat release rate of the fire

 p∞ is the air density (kg/m3)
 cp is the air specific heat (kJ/kg K)
 g is the gravitational constant (m/s2)
 T∞ is the ambient temperature (K)

The scripts maintains a D*/dx ratio of 4 for the coarse mesh, 10 for the
medium one and 16 for the fine (dx is the cell size).

2. Results
Here is an example of the calculation:

2.1. Input

2.2. Output
The characteristic fire diameter D* is 0.959
When D*/dx = 4: the suggested coarse cell size is 23.97 cm
Your MESH line for FDS is:
&MESH IJK=45,90,125, XB=0,10,0,20,0,30 /
dx: 0.24
Your actual dx(es) are 0.222 0.222 0.24 (meters)
Your distances are 10 20 30 (meters)
Your total number of cells is 506,250

When D*/dx = 10: the suggested moderate cell size is 9.59 cm

Your MESH line for FDS is:
&MESH IJK=108,216,320, XB=0,10,0,20,0,30 /
dx: 0.096
Your actual dx(es) are 0.093 0.093 0.094 (meters)
Your distances are 10 20 30 (meters)
Your total number of cells is 7,464,960

When D*/dx = 16, the suggested fine cell size is 5.99 cm

Your MESH line for FDS is:
&MESH IJK=180,360,500, XB=0,10,0,20,0,30 /
dx: 0.06
Your actual dx(es) are 0.056 0.056 0.06 (meters)
Your distances are 10 20 30 (meters)
Your total number of cells is 32,400,000
T2 HRR Ramp up time calculation
The t-squared parabolic growth equation is given by , where is the HRR (kW), is the fire
growth coefficient (kW/s2), and t is time (s).

t=
√ Q
α
Some commonly used fire growth coefficients are provided, or a custom coefficient can be specified.
The t-squared fire ramp can be configured to grow until a specified HRR or time is attained. The output
is a plot of the HRR vs. time.

α=
Slow:0.00293 kW/s2

Medium:0.01172 kW/s2

Fast: 0.0469 kW/s2

Ultra-fast: 0.1876 kW/s2

Standards
 BS 5839:

Domestic fire detection and alarm system standard, specifically Part 6 of BS 5839, outlines the code
of practice for the design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of fire detection and fire
alarm systems in domestic properties.

Whilst BS 5839-6 has previously been split into six varying Grades, each outlining the level of

protection appropriate for certain properties and their corresponding levels of risk, the new update

has altered the six sections, removing Grade B and Grade E, whilst Grade D and Grade F have been

split into Grade D1 / Grade D2 and Grade F1 / Grade F2 respectively. Grade C has been revised and

its recommendations expanded.

The new grading system is as follows:

Separate detectors, sounders and central control and indicating equipment with back-up
Grade A
power supply that conforms to British Standards BS EN 54.
Separate detectors and sounders that are mains powered with back-up power supply and
Grade C
central control equipment.
A system of one or more mains powered detectors, each with a tamper-proof standby
Grade D1 supply consisting of a battery or batteries (such as FireAngel’s SM-SN-1 and HM-SN-
1 alarm).
A system of one or more mains-powered detectors, each with an integral standby supply
Grade D2 consisting of a user-replaceable battery or batteries. (such as FireAngel’s SW1-PF-
T and HW1-PF-T alarm).
A system of one or more battery-powered detectors powered by a tamper-proof primary
Grade F1
battery or batteries (such as FireAngel’s ST-622, ST-750 alarm).
A system of one or more battery-powered detectors powered by a user-replaceable
Grade F2
primary battery or batteries. (such as FireAngel’s SB1-T alarm).

Professionals should adhere to the above grades when designing, constructing and managing fire

detection and fire alarm systems in domestic properties. They should also be aware of the revisions

made to Table 1 of The Standard, which outlines the minimum grade and category of system that

should be installed to provide protection of life in typical premises. The updates have been made to

reflect current living conditions.

In conjunction with Table 1, a new table has also been created, which outlines the recommended

testing and servicing by grade to prevent the blocking or delaying of fire alarm signals transmitted

via social alarm systems in sheltered housing to an alarm receiving centre.

Categories for fire detection and fire alarm systems (as per BS 5839-6-:2019):

With regard to categories, the standard of protection in sheltered housing flats has been increased

from Category LD2 to Category LD1, positioning it as a higher potential risk. To meet LD1

requirements, the installation of a fire detection system is required throughout the premises – this

includes all rooms (and circulation areas that form part of the escape routes) except toilets,

bathrooms and shower rooms.

The three categories for fire detection and fire alarm systems are listed below and outline where

fire detection systems should be installed:

LD1 Maximum Protection

Escape routes, high risk rooms plus all areas

where a fire might start

Category LD1: The highest level of protection of

all occupants who might occupy the dwelling
over the lifetime of the fire detection and fire
alarm system. A system installed throughout the
premises, incorporating detectors in all
Escape routes, high risk circulation areas that form part of the escape
rooms plus all areas routes from the premises, and in all rooms and
where a fire might areas, other than those with negligible sources of
start ignition, such as toilets, bathrooms and shower
rooms.
• Hallway
• Landing
• Living Room
• Kitchen (Heat alarm)
• Bedroom
• Airing / Meter Cupboards
• Loft
• Garage
LD2 Additional Protection

Escape routes plus high risk rooms

Category LD2: A system incorporating detectors in

all circulation areas that form part of the escape
routes from the premises, and in all specified rooms
or areas that present a high fire risk to occupants,
Escape routes plus
including any kitchen and the principal habitable
high risk rooms
room.

• Hallway
• Landing
• Living Room
• Kitchen (Heat alarm)

LD3 Minimum Protection

Escape routes only

Category LD3: A system incorporating detectors in all

circulation areas that form part of the escape routes from
the premises.

Escape
routes only • Hallway
• Landing

Note: This minimum category now only applies to owner

occupied bungalow, flat, single-storey unit or maisonette
with no floor level above 4.5m from ground level or
owner-occupied two-storey house.
SCA guidelines
 Guidance on Smoke Control to Common Escape Routes in Apartment
Buildings (Flats and Maisonettes)
The basics of a smoke control system
The design of any residential smoke control system should follow the basic principles
below:

 The system should activate automatically and not rely upon the interaction of
firefighters to achieve initiation
 Where appropriate, there should be intuitive controls for firefighters to turn parts of
the system off/on if conditions change during a fire incident.
 Dampers into shafts should at least have the same fire rating as the
compartmentation they are passing through.
 Where required, inlet air for smoke extract can be sourced from a variety of sources,
however if being sourced via the stair the only acceptable method is through the
stair door. It is inappropriate to have a vent or damper between the corridor and
stair for this purpose.
 For extended corridors the system should extract away from the stair to assist means
of escape and in the protection of firefighters. For corridor lengths described by ADB
or BS 9991 the concept of extracting away from the stair should be implemented
where possible.
 As the system is for life safety, if powered, the system should have a primary and
secondary power supply, and if utilising hot smoke extract fans there should be a
duty and standby.
 Extended corridors should be limited to 30m, otherwise they are outside the scope
of this guidance.
 A system using shafts should open on the initial fire floor only and all other floors
shall remain closed.
 Full height doors present particular challenges for smoke control systems and are
best avoided. If full height doors are proposed as part of the system, the use of these
will need to be assessed and justified by the project specific CFD analysis.