A Web-based Introduction to Fire Modeling
Deterministic Models
The deterministic category of fire models contains those models that do use the physical and chemical principles involved in fires. The main subcategories of deterministic models are: detector/sprinkler activation, structural element endurance and smoke and heat transport in enclosures. *
1. Detector and sprinkler activation present a unique problem in that to determine time of activation, you need to model the flow of heat/smoke.
Inputs: Heat Release Rate (HRR), smoke production
Outputs: Flow of heat/smoke, time of activation, species yield
Types of Models: DETACT, JET, G-JET, CFD modeling
2. Structural element endurance models are governed by heat transfer and mechanics equations.
Inputs: Thermal and mechanical properties of building elements
Outputs: Time to failure, failure temperature
Types of Models: FIRES-T3, VULCAN, SAFIR, HEATING
3. Transport of smoke and heat in enclosures are what most fire protection engineers are interested in. Although there are several different types of models for this topic, the two main kinds are zone and CFD modeling, which we will cover in the next two sections.
* From Karlsson & Quintiere ?Enclosure Fire Dynamics? CRC Press 2000 pg 255 to 305
