The FlogoCFD system was tested by performing a simulation of the Station Nightclub structural fire incident, which took place at 211 Cowesett Avenue, West Warwick, Rhode Island on the night of Feb. 20, 2003. The specific event is considered to be a benchmark simulation scenario as it was one of the most lethal and well-studied fire accidents.

During the performance of a band on a platform, pyrotechnics were used and ignited by accident the polyurethane foam insulation lining of the walls and the ceiling of the platform. The materials with relatively low ignition energy and high flame propagation speed enabled the fire spread quickly along the walls and ceiling area over the dance floor. Smoke was visible in the exit doorways in a little more than one minute, and flames were observed breaking through a portion of the roof in less than five minutes. No Sprinkler devices were installed.

CFD model generation from IFC (BIM)

The CFD model is extracted by the BIM model of the building. The model contains:

• Rooms/spaces
• Walls and building elements (doors, windows etc.)
• HVAC components
• Fire protection systems (sprinklers)
• Building element IDs and properties. They are enhanced with the required properties (eg, flammability, HRR, operating state) for fire simulation.