Apex Erudition

4-hour Seminar presentation

Computer Modeling for Life Safety

Designed for AHJs, and Fire Protection Engineers, who are new to Modeling for Life Safety. This is an overview of computer modeling tools, techniques, and assumptions. Designed to assist municipal authorities and new modelers with a critical evaluation and review process.
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Purpose and Preface

To engage Engineers and AHJ’s, providing information on the state of the art application of fire and life safety computer modeling techniques to assist municipal authorities in evaluating and reviewing the use of these tools.

This is a 4-hour virtual seminar event consisting of a presentation by Bryan Klein from Thunderhead Engineering and the Founder of Apex Erudition. The event occured in March 2025, prior to the establishment of Apex Erudition, LLC.

Although this video doesn't meet our current standards of video production quality, we find the information presented to be valuable and relevant to practicing engineers and authorities worldwide. With this in mind we bring you this recording with minor edits for clarity and brevity. A 75% discount is provided in honor of new learners to this platform.

Workshop Description

Advanced analysis through the use of innovative computer modelling software and techniques is becoming more common in the day to day work of municipal authorities, including use in building permit applications where performance-based design may be used.

Although these tools are generally used by registered professionals, they are available to anyone, and municipal authorities should be informed on their proper and appropriate use.

Computer models also have wider application to municipal functions such as forensic fire investigation, risk management, and emergency planning.

This workshop will provide an overview of the state of the art application of fire and life safety modelling tools and techniques from a Senior Support Engineer from Thunderhead Engineering, one of the world’s preeminent developers of these computational tools.

Objectives

Become familiar with popular tools

Provide an overview of common computer modeling applications including PyroSim (fire), Pathfinder (pedestrian), and Ventus (pressurization and contaminants) including the common applications and current capabilities.

Demonstrate a typical use-case 

Including basic assumptions, limitations, and required model inputs. A hands on tutorial as part of the course helps you get started with learning the tools used in the profession.

Guidance for modeling review

Provide guidance on how AHJ’s can suitably review analysis which use these tools, to assess competencies of users, general appropriateness of model inputs and assumptions, and identify situations where additional technical evaluation such as peer review may be appropriate.

Introduce other applications

Fire Protection Engineering is part of a long list of potential applications for these powerful tools, technologies, and techniques. Including activities such as, forensic tools for fire investigation, risk management and mitigation, and emergency  response planning.

Video Summaries

The 4-hour presentation is broken into smaller segments by topic area.
  1 - Introduction
In this introduction to the "Computer Modeling Analysis for Life Safety Workshop," Bryan Klein, a senior support engineer from Thunderhead Engineering, shares his 25-years of experience in work related to fire modeling and safety analysis. He discusses his journey from Western Fire Center and NIST, where he worked on projects like the Fire Dynamic Simulator (FDS) and forensic fire investigations, to his current role at Thunderhead. He also highlights the development of tools like PyroSim, Pathfinder, and Ventus, emphasizing their role in enhancing fire protection engineering.

  2 - Free AHJ/Review Licenses
A short segment where the free license program for AHJ, Review, and Academic use is explained.

  3 - Review of Model Use, Data and Tools
Reviewing the global rise in computer modeling for municipal work, highlighting tools like PyroSim, Pathfinder, and Ventus used for life safety analysis. Emphasis is placed on Building Information Modeling (BIM) integration with fire safety systems. An SFPE survey identified top tools such as FDS, Pathfinder, and PyroSim. PyroSim aids in 3D fire simulations, while Pathfinder models pedestrian movement. Ventus focuses on building pressurization and contaminant tracking. Together, these tools enhance performance-based design, risk management, and emergency planning in fire safety.

  4 - Introduction to CFD and the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS)
Provides an overview of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS). Key concepts included CFD mesh cells, data storage, velocity components, and FDS's role in simulating fire dynamics. Practical applications of FDS in fire safety analysis are also discussed, along with hardware and computational requirements.

  5 - Introduction to PyroSim, a GUI for Fire Dynamics Simulator
The PyroSim interface including the object panel, mesh definitions, and zone creation is introduced. Key topics included gas species, combustion products, material properties, and HVAC systems. The video also details tools for model building, such as slice and device tools, visualization controls, and control systems. Finally, various modeling checks and shortcuts are highlighted to enhance simulation efficiency and accuracy.

  6 - Basic Model - Airflow (Part 1)
Demonstration of the setup of a basic computational model using FDS in PyroSim. The process begins with defining a mesh. Techniques for refining and coarsening meshes to achieve desired resolutions are explored. The use of supply and exhaust surfaces is illustrated to simulate airflow, emphasizing the importance of mesh resolution on flow accuracy. Visualization techniques, including vector display and color mapping, are presented to analyze simulation results effectively. The demonstration highlights the significance of understanding actual vs. requested, or CAD geometries.

  7 - Basic Model - Materials, Surfaces, and Fire (Part 2)
Explore advanced simulation techniques for modeling fire dynamics using FDS and PyroSim. The session coveres transitioning from airflow fields to burner simulations, emphasizing material properties like concrete and their impact on heat transfer. Learn to define fuel types, create reactions, and adjust parameters such as fuel flux and heat release rates. The importance of surface conditions and their influence on simulation results is highlighted, with practical demonstrations enhancing understanding. Tools and resources for further exploration are also introduced.

  8 - Critically reviewing models
The segment discusses key considerations in reviewing fire models, highlighting factors like cell geometry, boundary conditions, and fire dynamics. It explores initializing flow fields, modeling pyrolysis, and handling radiation angles. The importance of testing assumptions and accounting for environmental interactions is emphasized. Challenges with simulating phenomena such as smoldering fires, mist suppression, and moving objects are noted. The video concludes with a focus on uncertainties in modeling and the need for critical evaluation to ensure accurate predictions in fire safety analysis.

  9 - How we can all improve the use of models
Identifying the lack of user certification for modeling tools, and emphasizing that even knowledgeable users can make mistakes. The importance of accurate input is highlighted with the phrase "garbage in, garbage out". FDS and PyroSim resources are introduced, including guides for using, verifying, and validating models. The significance of visualization tools like Smokeview, and the PyroSim Results Viewer, is stressed for better understanding of phenomena. Additionally, the FDS open-source project and community engagement on GitHub is encouraged for further learning and collaboration. Practical tutorials and support materials are also recommended for mastering these modeling tools moving forward.

Meet the presenter

Bryan Klein - Founding Member of Apex Erudition
As a Senior Support Engineer, Bryan offers product development planning and technical support for PyroSim, Pathfinder, and Ventus at Thunderhead Engineering. He also develops content and teaches courses for Apex Erudition and the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE). He is on the SFPE Research Foundation Board of Governors, and is the Chair of the Research Foundation Technical Committee.
Presenting at FEMTC 2024
Bryan offers product development planning and technical support for PyroSim, Pathfinder, and Ventus at Thunderhead Engineering. He develops content and teaches courses for Apex Erudition and the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE). He is on the SFPE Research Foundation Board of Governors, and is the Chair of the Foundation Technical Committee.