Applied Fire Dynamics Simulation in PyroSim

After participating in this course, you will be able to:

• Build and run fire dynamics simulations using PyroSim to evaluate fire and smoke behaviour in enclosed spaces

• Assess toxic gas production and concentration results to support life safety and risk decisions

• Analyze heat transfer and material thermal response under steady-state and transient fire conditions

• Apply best practices for meshing, boundary conditions, and model setup to produce defensible results

• Interpret FDS outputs to validate assumptions and inform fire safety and performance assessments

Description

Fire and smoke modelling is increasingly relied upon to support safety-critical decisions in building design, code compliance, and performance-based fire engineering. Yet creating a simulation that is both technically sound and defensible requires more than knowing which inputs to assign—it requires understanding how modelling choices affect results, interpretation, and risk.

This hands-on workshop is designed to strengthen your ability to use PyroSim (FDS) as a practical analysis tool. Through guided simulation exercises, you will work with realistic fire scenarios involving toxic gas production, heat transfer through building assemblies, and pool fire behaviour. Each exercise emphasizes not just how to run a model, but how to evaluate outputs, validate results, and recognize limitations.

By completing this course, you will gain practical, structured experience that you can apply directly to fire safety evaluations, material performance analysis, and performance-based design decisions in your professional practice.

Who This Course Is For

This course is designed for:

• Fire protection and fire safety engineers

• Mechanical, structural, and building engineers involved in fire or thermal analysis

• Facility and plant managers responsible for fire risk or safety assessments

• Technical professionals using or reviewing FDS / PyroSim models

• Practitioners seeking hands-on experience with applied fire dynamics simulation

Session: Hands-On Simulation Lab

Introduction

• Course overview and learning outcomes

• Overview of FDS and PyroSim software environment

Practice Problem 1 – Toxic Gas Analysis in Fire (Polymers)
Model the combustion of 0.5 kg of Polystyrene (PS) and 0.5 kg of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) in a closed room:

• Define combustion chemistry for PS and PVC

• Model toxic gases: CO and HCl using gas-phase devices

• Analyze gas concentrations and toxicity risk to occupants

Practice Problem 2 – Heat Transfer in Sauna Walls
Simulate steady-state heat conduction through wall and roof assemblies in a sauna built with wood framing:

• Model layered obstructions and assign thermal properties

• Use solid-phase devices to capture internal wall temperatures

• Analyze the effectiveness of insulation under high thermal exposure

Practice Problem 3 – Pool Fire Simulation with Octane Fuel
Model a 1m² square pool fire of N-Octane and examine vertical profiles of velocity, temperature, and mass flow rate:

• Set up surface burner, thermocouples, and flow measuring devices

• Validate FDS results with hand-calculated values

• Interpret axial plume behavior and flame characteristics

Wrap-up & Feedback

• Discuss modeling insights and performance validation

• Participant Q&A

• Certification and closing remarks