Pyrosim is graphical user interface for the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS). FDS models are able to predict smoke, temperature, carbon monoxide and other substances during fires. The result of these simulations has been used to ensure the safety of buildings before construction, evaluate safety option of existing buildings, reconstruct fire for post-accident investigation and assist in firefighter training.
The Pyrosim interface provides immediate input feedback and ensures the correct format for the FDS input file. In addition, Pyrosim offers high-level of 2D and 3D geometry creation features, such as diagonal walls, background images for sketching, object grouping, flexible display options, as well as copying and replication of obstruction.
Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) is a field model based on the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) modelling technique involving equations describing the transport of mass, momentum and energy by fire induced fluid flow in the compartment/s under study.
The equations are solved numerically for a network of rectangular cells representing the physical space. The results generated from FDS are illustrated by coloured graphics showing levels of contamination and temperature via a three-dimensional viewing package called smoke view. The Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) program, Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS Version 6.0) will be used for smoke modelling in any building.
Pathfinder is an evacuation model based on real life data that enables it to model human movement and simulate behaviour. Unlike flow-based or cell-based models, Pathfinder uses techniques from current computer science research to model the movement of individuals, building on technology used in the gaming and computer graphics industries.
Pathfinder includes a movement model based on equations from the SFPE Engineering Guide on Human Behavior in Fire and Steering Mode functions. Occupant motion follows the velocity profiles given by SFPE, while flow through doors is controlled by the SPFE flow assumptions. In this mode, Pathfinder reproduces a first-order hand calculation using the SFPE assumptions. This allows evaluation using widely known movement assumptions, even for large, complex buildings. The program contains a built-in database of occupant characteristics, allowing specific factors, such as age, gender, travel speed and the like, to be assigned to individuals or a profile to be assigned to a group of occupants, which can affect the evacuation time.