Fire Dynamics Simulation
CFD-based evaluation of fire, smoke, heat transfer, visibility, gas concentration, and fire protection system response.
- Fire Growth
- Smoke Movement
- Heat Transfer
- Detector Activation
- Sprinkler Response
- Sensitivity Analysis
Technical Expertise
Advanced Analysis for Fire and Life Safety Engineering
Beacon Safety Dynamics applies fire science, computational modeling, engineering analysis, and professional judgment to evaluate complex fire, smoke, thermal, and explosion hazards.
Core Technical Areas
- Fire Dynamics Simulation
- Performance-Based Design
- Smoke and Tenability Analysis
- Battery Thermal Runaway
- Explosion and Deflagration Analysis
- Independent Model Review
Engineering Depth
Technical Methods Selected for the Specific Engineering Question
Advanced tools are valuable only when they are applied with appropriate assumptions, inputs, limitations, and engineering interpretation.
Our analyses are structured around clearly defined project objectives and acceptance criteria. The level of technical detail is selected to match the complexity of the hazard and the decisions the analysis must support.
Results are documented transparently so that clients, design teams, regulators, and third-party reviewers can understand the technical basis of the conclusions.
Technical Areas
Specialized Fire Protection Engineering Capabilities
Integrated analysis of fire behavior, smoke movement, occupant conditions, energy storage hazards, explosion risk, and code performance.
Performance-Based Design
Alternative fire and life safety solutions supported by defined objectives, scenarios, acceptance criteria, and engineering analysis.
- Design Fires
- Acceptance Criteria
- ASET / RSET
- Alternative Methods
- Engineering Judgment
- Regulatory Support
Smoke Control and Tenability
Evaluation of smoke layer development, visibility, temperature, toxic gases, evacuation conditions, and smoke control performance.
- Visibility
- Temperature
- Carbon Monoxide
- Smoke Layer Height
- Occupant Tenability
- Egress Conditions
Battery Energy Storage Hazards
Technical evaluation of lithium-ion battery thermal runaway, fire propagation, gas generation, ventilation, and explosion risk.
- Thermal Runaway
- UL 9540A
- Gas Generation
- Fire Propagation
- Ventilation
- NFPA 855
Explosion and Deflagration Analysis
Analysis of combustible gas, vapor, and dust hazards, including pressure development, venting, prevention, and mitigation.
- NFPA 68
- NFPA 69
- Deflagration Venting
- Gas Accumulation
- Pressure Relief
- Hazard Evaluation
Model Verification and Peer Review
Independent evaluation of computational models, engineering reports, assumptions, inputs, numerical methods, results, and conclusions.
- Input Review
- Mesh Resolution
- Boundary Conditions
- Sensitivity Analysis
- Result Interpretation
- Quality Assurance
Computational Fire Modeling
Fire Dynamics Simulator and Smokeview
FDS is a computational fluid dynamics model designed specifically for fire-driven fluid flow and heat transfer.
Beacon Safety Dynamics uses FDS where simulation can provide meaningful insight into fire development, smoke movement, thermal exposure, tenability, detection, suppression, or system performance.
The modeling process includes careful definition of the engineering question, scenario selection, input development, mesh resolution, boundary conditions, sensitivity analysis, output evaluation, and documentation of limitations.
View FDS Services
Model Development Framework
FDS
01
Define the Question
Identify the design decision, hazard, performance objective, and required outputs.
02
Develop Scenarios
Select credible fire locations, growth rates, heat release rates, fuels, and system conditions.
03
Build the Model
Establish geometry, obstructions, materials, ventilation, devices, mesh, and boundary conditions.
04
Evaluate Results
Review temperatures, visibility, gases, velocities, heat flux, activation, and tenability.
05
Document Conclusions
Communicate assumptions, limitations, sensitivity, results, and engineering implications.
Engineering Quality
Core Principles for Defensible Technical Analysis
Computational results must be supported by a transparent and technically appropriate analytical process.
Appropriate Inputs
Material properties, fire characteristics, geometry, ventilation, and system conditions must be technically justified.
Numerical Resolution
Mesh size and computational resolution should be appropriate for the physical processes and outputs being evaluated.
Sensitivity Analysis
Important assumptions and uncertain inputs should be examined to understand their effect on engineering conclusions.
Transparent Reporting
Methods, assumptions, limitations, results, and conclusions should be documented clearly for technical review.
Engineering Workflow
From Project Objectives to Defensible Conclusions
A structured workflow helps align technical analysis with project decisions and regulatory requirements.
01
Objectives
Define the question, hazard, decision, and acceptance criteria.
02
Technical Scope
Establish scenarios, methods, inputs, and required deliverables.
03
Analysis
Complete calculations, simulation, code review, or hazard evaluation.
04
Evaluation
Compare results to criteria and assess sensitivity and limitations.
05
Documentation
Present clear conclusions, recommendations, and technical basis.
Codes and Standards
Analysis Grounded in Recognized Engineering Standards
Applicable codes, standards, guidance documents, testing data, and engineering literature are selected according to the project and jurisdiction.
NFPA 855
Energy Storage Systems
NFPA 68
Deflagration Venting
NFPA 69
Explosion Prevention
NFPA 101
Life Safety Code
IBC
International Building Code
IFC
International Fire Code
UL 9540A
Battery Fire Testing
SFPE
Engineering Methods
Technical Consultation
Need Advanced Fire Engineering Analysis?
Contact Beacon Safety Dynamics to discuss your simulation, performance-based design, energy storage, explosion protection, or technical review needs.