Performance Based Design and Fire Modelling

Noven Consulting uses fire science and engineering analysis to evaluate building designs, materials and systems against defined fire safety objectives. Performance based design can help a project team examine a specific design challenge and document the technical basis for its proposed approach.

Assessment objectives and modelling methods

The analysis starts with the applicable requirements, design objectives and acceptance criteria. Fire scenarios, model inputs and the scope of comparison should follow from the question being assessed. The report explains the model assumptions and the limits of the resulting conclusions.

Depending on the agreed scope, our work can include computational fluid dynamics modelling of fire and smoke, egress or timed evacuation assessment, structural fire protection analysis, heat transfer assessment and evaluation of smoke control arrangements.

For background on fire and smoke simulation, NIST's Fire Dynamics Simulator documentation describes a widely used research tool and provides verification and validation resources. The tools and methods appropriate to a Noven engagement are selected for that project's needs.

Analysis and technical reporting

We document the design basis, scenarios, assumptions, results and implications for the proposed design. The engagement may also include technical responses and coordination with the reviewing authority. Where the analysis supports a regulatory submission, the report follows the applicable authority review process.

Related scopes include building code alternative solutions, structural fire engineering and pedestrian and evacuation modelling.

Information for a proposal

Provide the location, use, drawings, specific code or design issue, proposed alternatives, available system information and any authority comments. Include the decision deadline and the other consultants involved. Discuss a performance based assessment.