Fire modelling programs

[shaunmckeever]

Does anyone have any experience of using FDS and Pyrosim. I am looking to see if this is software that can be easily used i.e. does not require in depth knowledge of computer programming. I have had a brief look at the trial offer but the system is so slow on my PC that I think it needs a more powerful computer or it needs someone with specialist knowledge.

Any help would be appreciated, also information on other fire related software would be useful i.e. ease of use etc.

thanks
Shaun

[kurnal]

FDS is easy to use becuse the data is loaded as text files. Its also  free to download but you need to understand the fire engineering behind the data you are inputting into the data files. The grid size is variable and you have to be very mindful of the limitations of your system in determining how you are going to approach the modelling. Its so easy to be over ambitious and totally bog down your machine. Always remember that many market leading companies are still using spread sheet calculations and even on a coarse grid size FDS is leagues ahead.

[kurnal]

Take a look at this Shaun
http://www.afec.ie/articles/6/31/index.html

[shaunmckeever]

Kurnal thanks for the link. Very useful.