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FiRECAM Version 1.6.1 - User's Manual
Yung, D. T.; Bénichou, N.; Dutcher, C.; Su, W.; Soeharjono, G.
https://publications-cnrc.canada.ca/fra/droits
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Yung, D.T.; Bénichou, N.; Dutcher, C.; Su, W.;
Soeharjono, G.
www.nrc.ca/irc/ircpubs
NRCC-45567
USER’S MANUAL
David Yung
Nouredine Benichou
Charles Dutcher
Wei Su
Gunawan Soeharjono
Fire Risk Management Program
Institute for Research in Construction
National Research Council of Canada
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 PREFACE... 1-1
2 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ... 2-1
3 WHAT IS FIRECAM? ... 3-1
3.1 GENERAL FIRECAM CONCEPT... 3-1 3.2 FIRECAM MODELLING CONCEPTS... 3-3
3.3 INSTALLING FIRECAM... 3-13
3.3.1 FiRECAM Program Requirements ... 3-13 3.3.2 Installing FiRECAM ... 3-13 3.3.3 What the FiRECAM Setup Program Does... 3-14 3.4 STARTING FIRECAM... 3-16
3.4.1 The FiRECAM File Tool Bar... 3-17 3.4.2 The File Menu ... 3-18 3.4.3 The Options Menu ... 3-18 3.4.4 The Help Menu ... 3-19 4 OPENING AND SAVING FIRECAM FILES ... 4-1
4.1 OPENING AN EXISTING BUILDING DESCRIPTION FILE... 4-1
4.2 OPENING MULTIPLE BUILDING DESCRIPTION FILES... 4-3 4.3 BUILDING DESCRIPTION FILE MENUS... 4-4
4.3.1 The File Menu ... 4-4 4.3.2 The Run Menu ... 4-4 4.3.3 The View Menu ... 4-5 4.3.4 The Window Menu ... 4-6 4.4 SAVING A BUILDING DESCRIPTION FILE... 4-7
5 CREATING NEW FIRECAM FILES... 5-1
5.1 USING PREDEFINED FILE TEMPLATES... 5-3 5.2 USING AN EXISTING FILE... 5-6 5.3 USING FILE CREATION WIZARDS... 5-8
6 EDITING A FIRECAM FILE... 6-1
6.1 3D VIEWER COLOR CONTROLS... 6-2 6.2 FIRECAM INPUT DATA WORKBOOK FILE VIEW... 6-5 6.3 SELECTING A FIRECAM RUN ANALYSIS TYPE... 6-6 6.3.1 Selecting a FiRECAM Study Type... 6-9 6.3.2 Selecting a Full Risk Analysis with Optional Models... 6-11 6.4 SPECIFYING BUILDING CONSTRUCTION, GEOMETRY AND LAYOUT... 6-15 6.4.1 Building Design ... 6-15 6.4.2 Building Construction Materials ... 6-18 6.4.3 Building Floor Layout ... 6-20 6.4.4 Floor Compartments and Doors ... 6-30 6.4.5 Corridor Locations... 6-32 6.4.6 Occupant Load and Mix ... 6-45 6.4.7 Building Floor Layout – Upper Floors ... 6-48 6.4.8 Ground Floor Exit Locations and Stairwell Locations... 6-49 6.4.9 Stairwell Locations ... 6-53
6.5 SPECIFYING PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION... 6-57 6.6 SPECIFYING ACTIVE FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS... 6-59 6.6.1 Alarm System... 6-60 6.6.2 Detector Locations ... 6-62 6.6.3 Manual Suppression ... 6-63 6.6.4 Smoke Control Systems... 6-64 6.7 SPRINKLER SYSTEMS... 6-66
6.8 SPECIFYING EMERGENCY PLANNING AND INSPECTION... 6-70
6.9 SPECIFYING BUILDING LOCATION... 6-74
6.10 SPECIFYING FIRE GROWTH OPTIONS... 6-76
6.10.1 Fire Origin Floors and Compartments ... 6-76 6.10.2 Fuel Loads and Ventilation... 6-78 6.11 SPECIFYING ECONOMIC OPTIONS... 6-80
6.11.1 Cost Calculation Options... 6-81 6.11.2 Building Contents Costs ... 6-83 6.11.3 Inflation and Interest Rates ... 6-84 6.11.4 FiRECAM Detailed Cost Data ... 6-85
6.11.4.1 Basic Construction Costs... 6-86 6.11.4.2 Passive Fire Protection Costs... 6-91 6.11.4.3 Alarm System and Detection Costs ... 6-93 6.11.4.4 Automatic Suppression (Sprinkler) Costs ... 6-96 6.11.4.5 Manual Suppression Costs ... 6-97 6.11.4.6 Smoke Control Costs... 6-98 6.11.4.7 Emergency & Organization Costs... 6-99 6.11.4.8 Annual and Maintenance Costs ... 6-101 6.11.4.9 Replacement Costs and Component Life ... 6-104
6.12 SPECIFYING FIRE DEPARTMENT OPTIONS... 6-107 6.12.1 Fire Department Information ... 6-108 6.12.2 Fire-fighter Information... 6-109 6.12.3 Fire Incident Information ... 6-112 6.12.4 Fire Department Setup and Travel Information... 6-114 6.13 SPECIFYING BUILDING EVALUATION... 6-116 6.13.1 Compartment Characteristics... 6-117 6.13.2 Occupant Characteristics ... 6-120 6.13.3 Building Management Characteristics ... 6-123 6.13.4 Fire Suppression... 6-126 6.14 SPECIFYING BUILDING IGNITION POTENTIAL AND RISK... 6-129 6.14.1 Ignition / Energy Sources ... 6-130 6.14.2 Separations between Ignition / Energy Sources and Fuel ... 6-132 6.14.3 Occupant Risk Factors... 6-135 6.14.4 Special Risk Factors ... 6-136 6.14.5 Fuel Ignition Potential... 6-137 6.14.6 Fuel Quantity... 6-139 6.14.7 Fuel Heat Release Potential... 6-141
iii
8.3 FIRECAM INPUT DATA WORKBOOK VIEWS... 8-7 8.3.1 File Description ... 8-8 8.3.2 Summarized Output Results ... 8-9 8.3.3 Building Description ... 8-9 8.3.4 Building Floor Description ... 8-13 8.3.5 Building Evaluation... 8-15 8.3.6 Fire Department Evaluation... 8-18 8.3.7 Economic Data... 8-20 8.4 FIRECAM OUTPUT DATA WORKBOOK VIEWS... 8-21
8.4.1 Building Evaluation Output Sheet... 8-22 8.4.2 Economic Costs Output Sheet ... 8-23 8.4.3 Economic Losses Output Sheet ... 8-24 8.4.4 Fire Department Response Output Sheet ... 8-25 8.4.5 Fire Department Effectiveness Output Sheet ... 8-26 8.4.6 Fire Growth Times Output Sheet... 8-27 8.4.7 Failure Probability Output Sheet... 8-28 8.4.8 Smoke and Flame Hazards Output Sheet ... 8-29 8.4.9 Occupant Response Output Sheet... 8-30 8.4.10 Occupant Evacuation Output Sheet ... 8-31 8.4.11 Expected Number of Deaths Output Sheet ... 8-32 8.4.12 Expected Risk to Life Output Sheet... 8-33 8.5 FIRECAM OUTPUT DATA CHART/GRAPH VIEW... 8-34 8.6 FIRECAM OUTPUT DATA 3D COLOR-CODED VIEW ... 8-36 8.7 SUMMARY OUTPUT... 8-39 8.7.1 File Description ... 8-40 8.7.2 Summarized Output Results ... 8-41 8.7.3 Building Description ... 8-42 8.7.4 Building Evaluation... 8-46 8.7.5 Fire Department Evaluation... 8-49 9 EXPORTING OUTPUT FILES AND CHARTS... 9-1
10 CUSTOMIZING FIRECAM... 10-1
10.1 FIRECAM PROGRAM OPTIONS... 10-2 10.2 FIRECAM WIZARD OPTIONS... 10-3 10.3 FIRECAM DIRECTORIES... 10-4 10.4 VIEW SETTINGS... 10-5 10.5 TIME UNIT SETTINGS... 10-6 10.6 INPUT SCREEN POSITION... 10-7 10.7 EXPERT PROGRAM OPTIONS... 10-8
11 TROUBLESHOOTING FIRECAM ... 11-1
11.1 ERRORS DURING START-UP... 11-1 11.2 EXECUTION ERRORS AND FIRECAM ERROR LOG... 11-2
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 3-1. FiRECAM Program Architecture... 3-2 Figure 3-2. FiRECAM Main Window Showing Multiple Opened Case Files ... 3-3 Figure 3-3. FiRECAM Model Execution Control from Scenarios and Model List ... 3-9 Figure 3-4. FiRECAM Model Execution Sequence ... 3-10 Figure 3-5. FiRECAM Model Document Data and Temporary File Links Illustration ... 3-11 Figure 3-6. FiRECAM Model Data Flow Paths... 3-12 Figure 3-7. FiRECAM Setup Program Screens Showing Confirmation and Prompting User for
FiRECAM Program Directory ... 3-15 Figure 3-8. FiRECAM Main Screen Showing Menus and File Tool Bar ... 3-16 Figure 3-9. FiRECAM File Tool Bar ... 3-17 Figure 3-10. FiRECAM’s File Menu – Main Screen ... 3-18 Figure 3-11. FiRECAM’s Options Menu... 3-18 Figure 3-12. FiRECAM’s Help Menu and About FiRECAM... 3-19 Figure 3-13. About FiRECAM Dialog Box... 3-20 Figure 4-1. The Open File Menu Item and Open File Dialog Box with File CASE1.FCI
Selected ... 4-1 Figure 4-2. FiRECAM Main Window Showing Opened Building File... 4-2 Figure 4-3. Open File Dialog Box with Multiple Files Selected ... 4-3 Figure 4-4. FiRECAM Main Window Showing Multiple Opened Building Files... 4-3 Figure 4-5. The File Menu When a File is Loaded ... 4-4 Figure 4-6. The Run Menu ... 4-4 Figure 4-7. The View Menu ... 4-5 Figure 4-8. The Window Menu ... 4-6 Figure 4-9. Save Menu Item ... 4-7 Figure 4-10. Save As… Menu Item ... 4-7 Figure 4-11. Save As… Dialog Box ... 4-7 Figure 5-1. New File Menu Option... 5-1 Figure 5-2. New File Tab Dialog Showing File Template Choices ... 5-3 Figure 5-3. Created FiRECAM Input File Dialog Box for New File CASE1.FCI ... 5-5 Figure 5-4. New File Dialog Showing ‘Use an Existing File’s Data’ Option ... 5-6 Figure 5-5. Open File Dialog ... 5-6 Figure 5-6. Created FiRECAM Input File Dialog Box for New File CASE1.FCI ... 5-7 Figure 5-7. New File Tab Dialog Showing Wizards Choices ... 5-8 Figure 5-8. Created FiRECAM Input File Dialog Box for New File CASE1.FCI ... 5-19 Figure 6-1. FiRECAM Main Windows showing Typical Building Description File ... 6-1 Figure 6-2. 3D Viewer Viewpoint Control Panel... 6-1 Figure 6-3. 3D Viewer Color Controls ... 6-4 Figure 6-4. Typical Input File Report ... 6-5
v
Figure 6-12. Edit View - Building Ground Floor Layout ... 6-21 Figure 6-13. Building Floor Layout Input Dialog Box – Floor Outline Tab... 6-21 Figure 6-14. Building Floor Layout Input Dialog Box Showing Floor Outline Selection List .... 6-23 Figure 6-15. Building Floor Layout Input Dialog Box – Corridor Location Tab... 6-30 Figure 6-16. Building Floor Layout Input Dialog Box – Compartments Tab... 6-32 Figure 6-17. Edit View - Building Ground Floor Occupants... 6-45 Figure 6-18. Building Floor Layout Input Dialog Box - Occupant Load Tab... 6-45 Figure 6-19. Building Floor Layout Input Dialog Box - Floor Occupant Mix Tab ... 6-46 Figure 6-20. Edit View - Building Upper Floors - All Floors and Single Floor... 6-48 Figure 6-21. Edit View - Building Ground Floor Exit and Stairwell Locations... 6-49 Figure 6-22. Building Layout Input Dialog Box - Ground Floor Exit Locations Tab ... 6-50 Figure 6-23. Building Layout Input Dialog Box - Stairwell Locations Tab ... 6-53 Figure 6-24. Building Layout Input Dialog Box - Stairwell Locations Tab ... 6-56 Figure 6-25. Edit View - Passive Protection Systems ... 6-57 Figure 6-26. Passive Fire Protection Options Input Dialog Box... 6-57 Figure 6-27. Edit View - Active Protection Systems ... 6-59 Figure 6-28. Active Fire Protection Input Dialog Box - Alarm System Tab ... 6-60 Figure 6-29. Active Fire Protection Input Dialog Box - Detector Location Tab... 6-62 Figure 6-30. Active Fire Protection Input Dialog Box - Manual Suppression Tab ... 6-63 Figure 6-31. Active Fire Protection Input Dialog Box - Smoke Control Systems Tab ... 6-64 Figure 6-32. Edit View – Sprinkler Systems... 6-66 Figure 6-33. Sprinkler Systems Input Dialog Box - Sprinkler System Tab... 6-66 Figure 6-34. Sprinkler Systems Input Dialog Box – Water Supply Systems Tab... 6-68 Figure 6-35. Edit View – Emergency and Inspection ... 6-70 Figure 6-36. Emergency Planning and Inspection Input Dialog – Planning & Training Tab.... 6-70 Figure 6-37. Emergency Planning and Inspection Input Dialog – Inspection Tab ... 6-72 Figure 6-38. Edit View - Location and Climate... 6-74 Figure 6-39. Climate and Location Input Dialog Box – Location Selected... 6-74 Figure 6-40. Edit View – Fire Growth... 6-76 Figure 6-41. Fire Growth Input Dialog Box - Fire Origin Tab... 6-76 Figure 6-42. Fire Growth Input Dialog Box - Fuel Load and Ventilation Tab ... 6-78 Figure 6-43. Edit View – Economic Options... 6-80 Figure 6-44. Cost Calculation Options Input Dialog Box - Calculation Options Tab ... 6-81 Figure 6-45. Cost Calculation Options Input Dialog Box - Contents Cost Tab... 6-83 Figure 6-46. Interest and Inflation Rate Input Dialog Box... 6-84 Figure 6-47. Detailed Costs View Tree Root... 6-85 Figure 6-48. Basic Construction Costs Input Dialog Box - Average Cost ... 6-86 Figure 6-49. Basic Construction Costs Input Dialog Box - Elemental Costs... 6-87 Figure 6-50. Basic Construction Costs Input Dialog Box - Elemental Costs Continued... 6-89 Figure 6-51. Passive Fire Protection Costs Input Dialog Box... 6-91 Figure 6-52. Alarm System Costs Input Dialog Box - Alarm System Tab... 6-93 Figure 6-53. Alarm System Costs Input Dialog Box - Detectors Tab... 6-94 Figure 6-54. Automatic Fire Suppression (Sprinkler) Costs Input Dialog Box ... 6-96 Figure 6-55. Manual Fire Suppression Costs Input Dialog Box... 6-97 Figure 6-56. Smoke Control Costs Input Dialog Box... 6-98 Figure 6-57. Emergency and Organizational Costs Input Dialog Box... 6-99 Figure 6-58. Annual Costs Input Dialog Box – Monitoring and Training ... 6-101
Figure 6-59. Annual Costs Input Dialog Box ... 6-102 Figure 6-60. Replacement Costs Input Dialog Box - Replacement Cost Tab ... 6-104 Figure 6-61. Edit View – Fire Department... 6-107 Figure 6-62. Fire Department Characteristics Input Dialog Box - Fire Department Tab ... 6-108 Figure 6-63. Fire Department Characteristics Input Dialog Box - Firefighters Tab ... 6-109 Figure 6-64. Fire Department Characteristics Input Dialog Box - Incident Information Tab .. 6-112 Figure 6-65. Fire Department Characteristics Input Dialog Box - Other Information Tab ... 6-114 Figure 6-66. Edit View - Building Evaluation ... 6-116 Figure 6-67. Building Evaluation Characteristics Input Dialog Box - Compartment Tab ... 6-117 Figure 6-68. Building Evaluation Characteristics Input Dialog Box - Occupants Tab... 6-120 Figure 6-69. Building Evaluation Characteristics Input Dialog Box - Management Tab... 6-123 Figure 6-70. Building Evaluation Characteristics Input Dialog Box - Suppression Tab... 6-126 Figure 6-71. Edit View - Building Risk Factors... 6-129 Figure 6-72. Ignition Characteristics Input Dialog Box - Fuel Energy Tab ... 6-130 Figure 6-73. Ignition Characteristics Input Dialog Box - Fuel Separation Tab ... 6-132 Figure 6-74. Ignition Characteristics Input Dialog Box - Occupant Tab ... 6-135 Figure 6-75. Ignition Characteristics Input Dialog Box - Special Risk Tab... 6-136 Figure 6-76. Ignition Characteristics Input Dialog Box - Fuel Ignition Tab... 6-137 Figure 6-77. Ignition Characteristics Input Dialog Box - Fuel Quantity Tab ... 6-139 Figure 6-78. Ignition Characteristics Input Dialog Box - Heat Release Tab... 6-141 Figure 7-1. The Run Menu Showing Run This File Item ... 7-1 Figure 7-2. File Modified Confirmation Dialog Box... 7-1 Figure 7-3. FiRECAM Execution in Progress Dialog Box... 7-2 Figure 8-1. The Run Menu Showing Run All Open Files Submenu ... 7-2 Figure 9-1. FiRECAM Produced Input and Output Files ... 8-1 Figure 9-2. FiRECAM Output File Structured Storage Root Structure and Streams... 8-2 Figure 9-3. FiRECAM Output Presentation Module Diagram... 8-5 Figure 9-4. Expanded Output Reports Node Showing Available Reports, Charts, Graphs and 3D Views... 8-6 Figure 9-5. Typical Input File Report ... 8-7 Figure 9-6. Typical Output File View- Workbook... 8-21 Figure 9-7. Typical Output File View- Chart ... 8-35 Figure 9-8. Typical Output File View- 3D View ... 8-36 Figure 9-9. 3D View - Initial Building Population ... 8-37 Figure 9-10. 3D View - Stairwell Usage ... 8-37 Figure 9-11. 3D View - Fire Spread ... 8-38 Figure 9-12. 3D View - Expected Deaths... 8-38 Figure 9-13. Output Summary View... 8-39 Figure 9-14. Expanded Summary Output Reports Node Showing Available Reports, Charts,
vii
Figure 11-6. Options Tree View – Time Unit Options... 10-6 Figure 11-7. Options Tree View – Input Screen Options... 10-7 Figure 11-8. Options Tree View – Expert Program Options ... 10-8 Figure 11-9. FiRECAM Program Options - Expert Database Options ... 10-11 Figure 12-1. FiRECAM Startup File Error Dialog Box ... 11-1
LIST OF TABLES
Table 3-1. FiRECAM Scenario Execution... 3-3 Table 3-2. FiRECAM Model Description ... 3-5 Table 3-3. FiRECAM Model Scenario Execution List... 3-8 Table 3-4. FiRECAM File Tool Bar. ... 3-17 Table 3-5. FiRECAM’s File Menu ... 3-18 Table 3-6. FiRECAM’s Options Menu... 3-18 Table 3-7. FiRECAM’s Help Menu... 3-19 Table 3-8. Computer Resource Information... 3-20 Table 4-1. The File Menu ... 4-4 Table 4-2. The Run Menu... 4-5 Table 4-3. The View Menu ... 4-5 Table 4-4. The Window Menu... 4-6 Table 5-1. FiRECAM New File Options ... 5-2 Table 5-2. FiRECAM Wizard Choices... 5-8 Table 5-3. FiRECAM Wizard Screens vs. Wizard Selection ... 5-10 Table 6-1. Viewpoint Controls ... 6-2 Table 6-2. 3D Viewer Mouse Actions... 6-3 Table 6-3. Color Controls ... 6-4 Table 6-4. FiRECAM Model Selection Description... 6-7 Table 6-5. Building File Description Inputs ... 6-8 Table 6-6. Scenario Execution Sequence... 6-10 Table 6-7. Model Scenario Execution Sequence ... 6-10 Table 6-8. Allowable Model Combinations for FiRECAM ... 6-11 Table 6-9. FiRECAM Editable Data per Model Selection ... 6-12 Table 6-10. FiRECAM Data Selection Icons ... 6-13 Table 6-11. Building Layout and Geometry... 6-16 Table 6-12. Building Materials ... 6-19 Table 6-13. Building Layout – Building Geometry... 6-22 Table 6-14. Supported Floor Outlines... 6-24 Table 6-15. Building Floor Layout – Floor Compartments... 6-30 Table 6-16. Corridor Location Selection Buttons ... 6-32 Table 6-17. Average Corridor Dimensions... 6-32 Table 6-18. Building Floor Layout – Corridor Locations ... 6-33 Table 6-19. Supported Corridor Locations for Rectangular Floor Plan... 6-34 Table 6-20. Supported Corridor Locations for O Floor Plan ... 6-35 Table 6-21. Supported Corridor Locations for 8 Floor Plan... 6-36 Table 6-22. Supported Corridor Locations for C Floor Plan ... 6-37 Table 6-23. Supported Corridor Locations for E Floor Plan ... 6-38
ix
Table 6-31. Building Floor Layout – Occupant Mix ... 6-47 Table 6-32. Stairwell and Exit Location Assumptions ... 6-49 Table 6-33. Exit Location Icons ... 6-50 Table 6-34. Allowable Exit Locations per Floor Outline... 6-51 Table 6-35. Stairwell Location Icons... 6-53 Table 6-36. Allowable Stairwell Locations per Floor Outline ... 6-54 Table 6-37. Exit Door Dimensions ... 6-56 Table 6-38. Passive Fire Protection Systems ... 6-58 Table 6-39. Active Fire Protection Systems – Alarm Systems ... 6-60 Table 6-40. Active Fire Protection Systems – Detectors ... 6-62 Table 6-41. Active Fire Protection Systems – Manual Suppression... 6-63 Table 6-42. Active Fire Protection Systems – Smoke Control Systems ... 6-64 Table 6-43. Sprinkler Systems – Sprinkler Systems ... 6-67 Table 6-44. Sprinkler Systems – Water Supply Systems ... 6-69 Table 6-45. Emergency Planning & Inspection – Planning & Training ... 6-71 Table 6-46. Emergency Planning & Inspection – Inspection ... 6-72 Table 6-47. Building Climate and Indoor Temperature ... 6-75 Table 6-48. Fire Growth – Fire Origins ... 6-77 Table 6-49. Fire Growth – Fuel Load and Ventilation... 6-78 Table 6-50. Economic Options –Cost Calculation... 6-81 Table 6-51. Economic Options – Building Contents... 6-83 Table 6-52. Interest and Inflation Rate Data ... 6-84 Table 6-53. Basic Construction Costs - Basic Cost Data ... 6-86 Table 6-54. Basic Construction Costs - Elemental Cost Data ... 6-88 Table 6-55. Basic Construction Costs - Elemental Cost Data Continued ... 6-90 Table 6-56. Passive Fire Protection Cost Data ... 6-92 Table 6-57. Alarm System Costs – Alarm System Cost Data ... 6-94 Table 6-58. Alarm System Costs – Detector Cost Data ... 6-95 Table 6-59. Automatic Fire Suppression (Sprinkler) Cost Data... 6-96 Table 6-60. Manual Fire Suppression Cost Data ... 6-97 Table 6-61. Smoke Control Cost Data ... 6-98 Table 6-62 Emergency and Organizational Cost Data... 6-99 Table 6-63. Monitoring and Training Costs Data ... 6-101 Table 6-64. Annual and Maintenance Costs Data ... 6-103 Table 6-65. Replacement Costs Data – Replacement Costs and Component Life ... 6-105 Table 6-66. Fire Department Characteristics –Fire Department Information ... 6-108 Table 6-67. Fire Department Characteristics –Firefighter Information... 6-109 Table 6-68. Fire Department Characteristics - Incident... 6-112 Table 6-69. Fire Department Characteristics – Other Information... 6-114 Table 6-70. Building Evaluation – Building Compartments ... 6-117 Table 6-71. Building Evaluation - Occupants ... 6-120 Table 6-72. Building Evaluation – Building Management ... 6-123 Table 6-73. Building Evaluation – Fire Suppression ... 6-126 Table 6-74. Ignition Characteristics Energy Source Parameters... 6-130 Table 6-75. Ignition Characteristics Energy Sources ... 6-131 Table 6-76. Ignition Characteristics – Fuel Separation ... 6-133 Table 6-77. Ignition Characteristics - Occupants ... 6-135
Table 6-78. Ignition Characteristics – Special Risk ... 6-136 Table 6-79. Ignition Characteristics – Fuel Source Parameters ... 6-138 Table 6-80. Ignition Characteristics – Fuel Sources... 6-138 Table 6-81. Ignition Characteristics – Fuel Quantity ... 6-140 Table 6-82. Ignition Characteristics – Heat Release Parameters... 6-141 Table 6-83. Ignition Characteristics – Heat Release ... 6-142 Table 7-1. Run Menu... 7-1 Table 8-1. Contents of FiRECAM Output File Root Storage ... 8-3 Table 8-2. FiRECAM Output File Root Storage Model Information Nodes... 8-3 Table 8-3. FiRECAM Output File Root Storage Model Nodes... 8-4 Table 8-4. Building Description... 8-8 Table 8-5. Typical Input Data Spreadsheet Fragment with File Description ... 8-8 Table 8-6. Summarized Results ... 8-9 Table 8-7. Typical Input Data Spreadsheet Fragment with File Summarized Results ... 8-9 Table 8-8. Building Description... 8-9 Table 8-9. Typical Input Data Spreadsheet Fragment with Building Description ... 8-12 Table 8-10. Building Floor Data ... 8-13 Table 8-11. Typical Input Data Spreadsheet Fragment with Building Floor Data ... 8-14 Table 8-12. Building Evaluation Data ... 8-15 Table 8-13. Typical Input Data Spreadsheet Fragment with Building Evaluation Data... 8-17 Table 8-14. Fire Department Evaluation Data... 8-18 Table 8-15. Typical Input Data Spreadsheet Fragment with Fire Department Evaluation
Data... 8-19 Table 8-16. Economic Study Data ... 8-20 Table 8-17. Typical Input Data Spreadsheet Fragment with Economic Study Data ... 8-20 Table 8-18. Displayed Output Worksheets per Selected Models ... 8-21 Table 8-19. Typical Spreadsheet Output Fragment from the Building Evaluation Model... 8-22 Table 8-20. Typical Spreadsheet Output Fragment from the Economic and Fire Loss
Model... 8-23 Table 8-21. Annual Costs and Fire Costs Expectation... 8-24 Table 8-22. Structural and Content Losses ... 8-24 Table 8-23. Typical Spreadsheet Output Fragment from the Fire Department Response
Model... 8-25 Table 8-24. Typical Spreadsheet Output Fragment from the Fire Department Action Model . 8-26 Table 8-25. Typical Spreadsheet Output Fragment from the Fire Growth Model ... 8-27 Table 8-26. Typical Spreadsheet Output Fragment from the Barrier Failure Probability
Model... 8-28 Table 8-27. Typical Spreadsheet Output Fragment from the Fire and Smoke Spread
Models... 8-29 Table 8-28. Typical Spreadsheet Output Fragment from the Occupant Response Model... 8-30
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Table 8-35. Typical Input Data Spreadsheet Fragment with File Descriptions ... 8-40 Table 8-36. Summarized Results ... 8-41 Table 8-37. Typical Input Data Spreadsheet Fragment with File Summarized Results ... 8-41 Table 8-38. Building Description... 8-42 Table 8-39. Typical Input Data Spreadsheet Fragment with Building Description ... 8-45 Table 8-40. Building Evaluation Data ... 8-46 Table 8-41. Typical Input Data Spreadsheet Fragment with Building Evaluation Data... 8-48 Table 8-42. Fire Department Evaluation Data... 8-49 Table 8-43. Typical Input Data Spreadsheet Fragment with Fire Department Evaluation
Data... 8-50 Table 9-1. Exportable File Formats for Reports ... 9-1 Table 9-2. Exportable File Formats for Charts ... 9-2 Table 9-3. Exportable File Formats for 3D Views... 9-2 Table 10-1. FiRECAM File Options ... 10-2 Table 10-2. Wizard Options... 10-3 Table 10-3. FiRECAM Directory Options ... 10-4 Table 10-4. Display Options ... 10-5 Table 10-5. Time Unit Options... 10-6 Table 10-6. Display Input Screen Options ... 10-7 Table 10-7. Expert Options... 10-8 Table 10-8. Expert Database Updating Options ... 10-11
1 PREFACE
Information contained in this Manual is for use by technically trained personnel at their
discretion and risk. The information is believed to be accurate, but since the use of this data is outside the control of the Fire Risk Management Program of the Institute for Research in Construction (FRMP/IRC), the Fire Risk Management Program assumes no liability for results obtained, or damage caused from the use or misuse of this software or information. The publication of this information in no way constitutes permission or encouragement for the use of FiRECAM that may be in violation of any patents or license agreements.
Copyright 1995-2002 by the Fire Risk Management Program, Institute for Research in Construction, National Research Council of Canada.
Copyright 1995-2002 by Public Works and Government Services Canada. Copyright 1995-2002 by the Department of National Defense, Canada.
2-1
2 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors wish to acknowledge that this work was made possible through partnerships with Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) and the Department of National Defense (DND).
3 WHAT IS FIRECAM?
The Fire Risk Management Program, Institute for Research in Construction of the NRC, in partnership with Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) and the
Department of National Defense (DND) has developed a computer program called FiRECAM (Fire Risk, Evaluation and Cost Assessment Model). FiRECAM can be used for the
rehabilitation and refurbishment of apartment and office buildings. It can be used to assess the expected risk to life and fire costs of fire safety designs for apartment and office buildings. Thus the computer software can be used to identify cost-effective fire safety designs that provide the intended safety level that meets the requirements of the National Building Code of Canada. This manual describes how to use FiRECAM.
In its current implementation, FiRECAM is a standard Microsoft Windows 95 compatible graphical user interface (GUI) software package making use of a mouse, pull-down menus and dialogue boxes. The software was developed using standard commercial program development tools and language libraries. For this release, FiRECAM was coded using commercially
available graphical interface software to handle the user input and reporting tasks.
3.1 General FiRECAM Concept
FiRECAM is a Windows Multiple Document Interface (MDI) program that allows the user to open and run multiple case files at once. The main screen is responsible for:
• Managing an opened file's individual screens,
• Managing the proper allocation and reallocation of opened/closed files,
• Presenting the data input screens when requested by the user.
When the user opens a case file, a copy of the file's data is loaded into a dedicated memory structure that describes the entire contents of the case file, building geometry, fire department and associated data. Once the data is loaded, a file-input screen is created to allow the user to interact with the file's contents. This user-input screen (as opposed to the FiRECAM main screen) is responsible for:
• Loading and validating the data from the selected file,
• Managing the individual data input screens and passing the changed data back and forth between the input screens,
• Validating and saving data into the selected file after it is modified,
• Dispatching the data to the FiRECAM system model when the user runs a file,
3-2
Figure 3-1. FiRECAM Program Architecture
MDI Document Collection FiRECAM Main Screen
Manages MDI Documents and Displays Opened Document Screens
Opened Document Screens One per Opened Document File
Opened Document Data Memory Structures One Structure per Opened
Document File
Intermediate Output Data Document Output File
Data on Disk Document User Input
File Data on Disk
Report Generation Module Spreadsheet Generator Visualization FiRECAM Models System Model and Scenario/Model Sequencer
Common Shared User Input and Data Editing Screens
Figure 3-2. FiRECAM Main Window Showing Multiple Opened Case Files
3.2 FiRECAM Modelling Concepts
FiRECAM consists of approximately fifteen submodels that simulate the dynamic interaction of fire growth, smoke spread, occupant response and fire department intervention during the occurrence of a fire. Each of these models calculates a different set of simulations for fire growth, occupant behaviour, fire department response and fire hazards. The results of each model are then stored in temporary files, which are then used by other models to compute their respective outputs.
FiRECAM also uses six design fires in the compartment of fire origin, and the subsequent fire and smoke spread, to evaluate life risks and protection costs for apartment and office buildings. The six design fires, representing the wide spectrum of possible fire types, are:
Table 3-1. FiRECAM Scenario Execution
Scenario Fire Type Fire Compartment Door
1. FL/DO Flashover Open
3-4
The probability of occurrence of each design fire, given that a fire has occurred, is based on statistical data. For example, in Canada, statistics show that 24% of all office fires reach flashover and become fully developed fires, 54% are flaming fires that do not reach flashover and the remaining 22% are smouldering fires that do not reach the flaming stage [2]. If
sprinklers are installed, the model assumes that some of the flashover and non-flashover fires, depending on the reliability and effectiveness of the sprinkler system, are rendered non-lethal [3].
FiRECAM evaluates the cumulative effect of all probable fire scenarios that could occur in the building during the life of the building. For example, in an office building, a fire scenario could be one resulting from one design fire in any one of the floors in the building. The number of fire scenarios, therefore, is the product of the number of design fires and the number of floors in the building.
In the case of an apartment building, the scenarios with occupants awake and occupants asleep are treated separately.
For each fire scenario enumerated above, FiRECAM calculates the expected number of deaths and fire losses. These per scenario values are then combined at the end with the probabilities of occurrence for each fire scenario to obtain the following two decision-making parameters: 1. Expected Risk to Life (ERL) defined as the expected number of deaths over the design life
of a building, divided by the population of the building and the design life of the building.
fe
BuildingLi
Population
Deaths
BuildingLife×
=
ERL
Equation 3-12. Fire Cost Expectation (FCE) defined as the expected total fire cost which is the sum of: Capital costs of the passive and active fire protection systems
Maintenance cost of the active fire protection systems
Expected losses as a result of all probable fire spread in the building divided by:
Cost of the building and its contents.
)
(
)
(
FCE
å
å
+
+
+
=
Contents Building Fire e Maintenanc ProtectionCosts
Costs
Losses
Costs
Costs
Equation 3-2Table 3-2. FiRECAM Model Description
Model Name Short
Name
Purpose
Building Evaluation Model BEVM Evaluates the fire characteristics of a building, and computes correction factors for ignition potential, risk and other fire characteristics. Fire Department Response
Model
FDRM Evaluates the fire department response characteristics to a design building if the fire department is not considered to be a typical one where normal response statistics can be applied. The model calculates the response time to the design building based on the characteristics of the fire department and the distance to the building.
Economic Model ECMD Calculates the capital costs of structural building components and fire protection systems. In addition, it also calculates the annual costs of replacement, maintenance, and organizational activities.
Boundary Element Failure Model
BEFM Computes probabilities of failure of a wall or floor element.
Design Fire Model DFMD Computes the rates of fire occurrences, and the probabilities of the fire types being one of the following:
• Flashover fire
• Nonflashover flaming fire
• Smoldering fire
Fire Growth Model FGMD Models the growth of a fire in a compartment and calculates temperature and toxic gas
concentrations as a function of time.
Fire Department Action Model FDAM Calculates the probability of fire department intervention at the fire site and the expected time of fire department intervention.
3-6
Table 3-2 Continued
Model Name Short
Name
Purpose
Smoke Movement Model SMMD Computes the smoke hazard based on the temperature and concentration of toxic gases throughout the building as a function of time. In addition, this model computes the critical time that the stairs cannot be used by the occupants to evacuate.
Evacuation Model EVMD Simulates the evacuation of a building, given a floor of fire origin, building population and evacuation destinations.
Fire Department Effectiveness (part of FDAM)
FDEM Calculates the extinguishment effectiveness of the fire department, and the rescue effectiveness of the crew at the fire site.
Fire Spread Model FSPM Calculates the probabilities of fire spread from any compartment in a building to compartments, corridors, and stairwells on all floors of the building, by considering all possible paths of fire spread.
The fire-spread probabilities are based on the probabilities of barrier failures for each possible barrier and location from the Boundary Element Failure Model.
Expected Number Of Deaths Model
ENDM Computes the expected number of deaths in a building given the number of trapped occupants and fire and smoke hazards.
Expected Risk To Life Model ERLM Computes the total expected risk to life of a building, based on the expected deaths from all given fire scenarios.
Property Loss Model PLMD This model calculates the costs of heat, smoke, and water damage for a building structure and its contents. These costs are calculated for a specific scenario occurring on each floor of the specified building.
Fire Cost Expectation Model FCED Computes the total fire cost expectation of a building, based on the property losses from all given fire scenarios for a specified building design.
FiRECAM executes its models, in a predetermined order, so models requiring results from previously executed models will have all their data available as needed. The order in which the FiRECAM models execute during a run is dictated by the following conditions:
• Some models are fire scenario (and fire origin floor) independent1. Therefore, they may be
executed once per FiRECAM run to reduce computation time. If such models are also independent of other models’ output, they can also run at the beginning of FiRECAM and create a single copy of their respective temporary files. Examples of such models are
BEVM, FDRM, and ECMD.
• Some models execute on a per fire scenario basis only. For example, FGMD runs once per fire scenario only. The results of this model are then stored in its temporary files.
• Some models execute on a per fire scenario basis, but may internally generate calculations for a fire occurring on each floor of the building. For example, SMMD will compute the smoke hazard data throughout the building for a fire occurring on the first floor, then the second floor, and so forth. These results are then stored in temporary files on a per floor basis based for each fire origin floor.
Table 3-3 lists the scenarios and occupant states for which each FiRECAM run executes. Figure 3-3 shows the general control of FiRECAM's models from the System Model, while Figure 3-4 shows the actual order of model execution. Independent models are run only once at the beginning to conserve computation time, and the Design Fire Model (DFMD) executes as the first of the scenario dependent models. DFMD then produces the fire occurrence probability results used by other models whose calculations are then used by following models. Two small models (ERLM and FCED) calculate the final results of the run after all the fire scenarios' calculations.
Figure 3-6 shows the order in which FiRECAM executes each of its models, but also shows the order of the linkages created by each model. The arrows represent the data linkages and flow between the models. In general, the models at the end of the execution order use intermediate results of previous models. For example, the Expected Risk to Life Model (ERLM) requires data from the Expected Number of Deaths Model (ENDM) and the Design Fire Model (DFMD). It then produces a final expected risk to life report.
3-8
Table 3-3. FiRECAM Model Scenario Execution List
Scenario BEVM FDRM ECM
D BEFM DFM D FG M D FDAM O CRM SMMD EVM D
FDEM FSPM ENDM ERLM PLM
D
FCED
Run Once Only2 llll llll llll llll llll
FL/DO Flashover fire, fire origin
compartment door open llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll FL/DC Flashover fire, fire origin
compartment door closed llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll NF/DO Non-flashover fire, fire origin
compartment door open llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll NF/DC Non-flashover fire, fire origin
compartment door closed llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll SM/DO Smouldering fire, fire origin
compartment door open llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll SM/DC Smouldering fire, fire origin
compartment door closed llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll Occupants Awake3 llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll llll
Occupants Asleep llll llll llll llll llll llll llll
Each Fire Origin Floor4 llll llll llll llll llll llll
2
Some models are scenario independent, therefore their output is computed once only. 3
For office occupancy buildings, occupants are always assumed to be awake; scenario for occupants asleep is not run.
4
Figure 3-3. FiRECAM Model Execution Control from Scenarios and Model List
FiRECAM Models Expert User Options
Scenario Selection Model Selection
Model Execution List Building Evaluation Model Fire Department Response Model Economic Model
Boundary Element Failure Model Design Fire Model
Fire Growth Model
Fire Department Action Model Occupant Response Model Smoke Movement Model Evacuation Model Fire Spread Model
Expected Number Of Deaths Model Expected Risk To Life Model Property Loss Model Fire Cost Expectation Model
MDI Document Collection
Opened Document Screens
One per Opened Document File
Opened Document Data Memory Structures
One Structure per Opened Document File
Intermediate Output Data Document Output File
Data on Disk Document User Input
File Data on Disk
System Model and Scenario/Model
Sequencer Fire Scenario Execution List
Flashover Fire Nonflashover Fire Smouldering Fire
3-10
Figure 3-4. FiRECAM Model Execution Sequence
Economic ECMD
Legend
Models Run Once at Beginning Models Run for each Scenario
Data Flow Direction Design
Fire DFMD Building Evaluation BEVM Fire Department Response FDRM Fire Growth FGMD Fire Department Effectiveness FDEM (Part of FDAM) Boundary Failure BEFM Fire Spread FSPM Expected Number of Deaths ENDM OPTIONAL SUBMODELS Occupant Response OCRM Smoke Spread SMMD Occupant Evacuation EVMD Property Loss PLMD Finished all Fire Scenarios? No Yes FINAL REPORTS Expected Risk to Life ERLM Fire Cost Expectation FCED 1 2 3 4 5 6 14 15 7 8 9 10b 11 13 12 Fire Department Action FDAM 10a
Figure 3-5. FiRECAM Model Document Data and Temporary File Links Illustration FiRECAM Document Data File FiRECAM Model O I Read File
FiRECAM Internal File Data Stucture (Read from File)
FiRECAM Model
I
FiRECAM Model
I
Model Temp File(s)
O
O
Model Temp File(s)
Model Temp File(s)
I O Legend
Input to Model from Other Models Output from Model
Data Flow Direction
I
I Input to Model from Input File Structure
3-12
Figure 3-6. FiRECAM Model Data Flow Paths
Design Fire DFMD Building Evaluation BEVM Fire Department Response FDRM Fire Growth FGMD Occupant Response OCRM Smoke Movement SMMD Fire Department Action FDAM Occupant Evacuation EVMD Boundary Failure BEFM Fire Spread FSPM Expected Number of Deaths ENDM Expected Risk to Life ERLM Economic ECMD Property Loss PLMD I O O O I O I I O I O I ENDM.0 Expected Number of Deaths FSPM.0 Flame Spread Probabilities BEFM.0 Barrier Failure Probabilities EVMD.0 Building Residual Populations FDRM.0 FD Setup and Response Times
FGMD.1 and 3 Temperature + Gas Concentrations vs. Time
FGMD.0 Fire Cue and Sensor
Activation Times O I I O O I I O ECMD.0
Structural, Protection and Maintenance Costs
BEVM.0 Building Evaluation
and Risk Factors
O
DFMD.0 Fire Scenario Probabilities and
Fire Occurence Rates
FDAM.0 FD Effectiveness FDAM.1 FD Intervention Probabilities I O I SSMD.1 Stair Critical Times
O I OCRM.0 Conditional Probabilities O SSMD.0 Smoke Spread I O ERLM.0 Scenario Risk to Life O PLMD.0 Losses I O Legend Input to Model Output from Model Models Run Once at Beginning
Models Run for each Scenario
Data Flow Direction
Final Risk ERLM Fire Cost Expectation FCED I I O OCRM.0 Fire Suppression OCRM.1 Independent Response I FGMD.2 and 4 Gas Volume Fire Department Effectiveness FDEM (Part of FDAM) O
I FDAM.0 FD Rescue 1 2 3 4 5 6 10a 7 8 9 10b 11 12 14 13 15 14
Models Run Once at End
I Input to Model from Input File Data Structure
I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I O I
3.3 Installing FiRECAM
This section describes FiRECAM’s computer system requirements, and how to install FiRECAM on systems Windows 95 or Windows NT.
3.3.1 FiRECAM Program Requirements
FiRECAM requires the following system configuration in order to run:
• An IBM PC compatible machine with an 80486 or newer CPU running Microsoft Windows 95, 98 or NT 4.0.
• A 3-1/2 HD diskette drive (for diskette installation) or a CD-ROM drive (for CD-ROM installation)
• 24 or more MB of memory (32 MB or more recommended for Windows NT)
• Approximately 25 MB of free space on hard disk for FiRECAM’s home directory. 100 MB or more is recommended for installing the documentation and for saving case files and output files.
• Mouse or other pointing device
• Any Windows compatible VGA , SVGA or XGA compatible video card/monitor combination (SVGA at 800 x 600 with 256 colors or better resolution recommended)
On systems running Windows NT, the following requirements also apply:
• Windows NT 4.0 with Service Pack 3 or later.
3.3.2 Installing FiRECAM
A complete FiRECAM installation is supplied on a CD-ROM or a set of 3-1/2 inch high-density diskettes. In order to install FiRECAM, insert the FiRECAM Setup Disk (Disk 1) in your system’s disk or CD-ROM drive, and follow the directions in the table below:
1 .
Select RUN from the Start Menu on the Windows task bar. 2
.
When the Run dialog input box appears, type x:setup
3-14 4
.
The main setup screen then confirms if FiRECAM is to be installed. Click OK or press the Enter key to continue.
5 .
The setup program will then prompt for a suitable subdirectory in which to install FiRECAM, as in , Figure 3-7.
. 6 .
Insert the remaining diskettes when prompted by the setup screen. At the end of the installation, a FiRECAM program group will be created.
3.3.3 What the FiRECAM Setup Program Does
The Setup program performs the following: 1
.
Creates a FiRECAM program subdirectory specified by the user, as in Figure 3-7 on the system’s hard disk.
2 .
Creates a new program group called FiRECAM under the Start➨➨➨➨ Programs menu 3
.
Copies the following executable files to the FiRECAM program directory: Firecam.exe Firecam.hlp Firecam.cnt FiRECAM.INI Firecam.mas Firecam.mbs Firecam.clm Firepass.EXE Firepass.HLP Firepass.cnt FireBROWSE.EXE FireBROWSE.HLP FireBROWSE.CNT ReadMe.Doc Case1.fci BLANK.FCT OFF.FCT APT.FCT 4 .
Copies the following files to the Windows System5 directory: MSCOMCTL.OCX SSDATB32.OCX SSTABS32.OCX VCF15.OCX VCFI5.OCX DWSTG.DLL MSVCRT.DLL MFC42.DLL OLEAUT32.DLL OLEPRO32.DLL OPENGL32.DLL GLU32.DLL GLUT32.DLL 5
For Windows 95, this is typically the \WINDOWS\SYSTEM directory. For Windows NT, this is the \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 directory, assuming \WINDOWS is the installation directory for the Windows operating system.
5 .
Registers the following Visual Basic ActiveX controls: 6 . MSCOMCTL.OCX SSDATB32.OCX SSTABS32.OCX VCF15.OCX VCFI5.OCX DWSTG.DLL
The Setup program modifies the following:
Windows Registry - Windows 95, Windows NT
The Setup program does not modify any of the following:
CONFIG.SYS - Windows 95
AUTOEXEC.BAT - Windows 95
Windows Startup Environment - All Windows versions
The complete installation consists of the main executable (FiRECAM.EXE) and all associated system, configuration and sample data files
Figure 3-7. FiRECAM Setup Program Screens Showing Confirmation and Prompting User for FiRECAM Program Directory
3-16 3.4 Starting FiRECAM
The following section introduces the user on using FiRECAM, and lets the user gain some familiarity with FiRECAM’s main screen. To Start the FiRECAM Program:
Go to the Windows Start ( ) task bar button.
Select Programs ➨➨➨ FiRECAM ➨➨ ➨➨➨ FiRECAM from the Start Menu to start the program
FiRECAM will load and display the FiRECAM startup screen. While the program loads, it will perform some file integrity checks to assure its required support libraries and files are available. Once all internal checks are complete, FiRECAM’s main screen (Figure 3-8) will then appear:
Figure 3-8. FiRECAM Main Screen Showing Menus and File Tool Bar
FiRECAM’s main screen consists of a Windows Multiple Document Interface (MDI) window with its associated menus and optional toolbars. As implemented, FiRECAM will allow the user to open multiple building description files, and to edit or run them side by side.
3.4.1 The FiRECAM File Tool Bar
FiRECAM provides an optional toolbar, which is displayed at the top of the main window when FiRECAM starts. The toolbar contains a set of convenient single push button shortcuts for the most common tasks a user is likely to do with FiRECAM files during a session. The FiRECAM file toolbar is shown below:
Figure 3-9. FiRECAM File Tool Bar
Table 3-4 below provides a list describing the action of each button.
Table 3-4. FiRECAM File Tool Bar.
New File Creates a new FiRECAM input file. Open File Opens an existing FiRECAM input file
Save File Saves the presently opened FiRECAM input file. View Output
Summary Report
Displays the output results of the presently opened FiRECAM input files in summarized side-by-side form.
Print Report Prints the contents of the presently opened FiRECAM input file and its output results.
Run File Runs the presently opened FiRECAM input file. Run Multiple Files Runs all presently opened FiRECAM input files.
Help Displays FiRECAM online help.
FiRECAM will disable toolbar buttons when they have no intended action for a specific opened file. For example, the Save, Print and View Output Summary Report buttons are disabled if there are no opened files.
3-18
3.4.2 The File Menu
The File menu is used for general FiRECAM building file management (see Figure 3-10). The user can create new files, or to open existing files. The main choices offered by the File menu are listed below in Table 3-5.
Table 3-5. FiRECAM’s File Menu
File Menu Action
New File Create a new FiRECAM file.
Open File Open an existing FiRECAM file.
Exit FiRECAM Quit and close FiRECAM.
Figure 3-10. FiRECAM’s File Menu – Main Screen
3.4.3 The Options Menu
The Options menu is used to set the user preferences for the program (see Figure 3-11). Items such as tool bar displays and general configuration options are set here. The Options menu choices are listed below:
Table 3-6. FiRECAM’s Options Menu
Options Menu Action
FiRECAM Options Set FiRECAM program options.
3.4.4 The Help Menu
The Help menu is used to invoke FiRECAM’s help system (see Figure 3-12). The user may list the Help contents, display selected pages and do searches for specific topics. Its choices are listed below:
Table 3-7. FiRECAM’s Help Menu
Help Menu Action
FiRECAM Help Shows the FiRECAM help contents and Index. About FiRECAM Shows general FiRECAM and computer system
information.
Credits The FiRECAM Team.
FiRECAM allows the user to inspect his/her computer’s configuration and available resources. To view the computer’s configuration, select the Help menu, and choose the About
FiRECAM… menu item
Figure 3-12. FiRECAM’s Help Menu and About FiRECAM
Choosing the About FiRECAM menu item prompts the following display, as shown in Figure 3-13.
3-20
Figure 3-13. About FiRECAM Dialog Box
Table 3-8. Computer Resource Information Computer Resources
Version Information
Windows Version Windows Version
Total Physical Memory Total installed RAM in the computer system in KB Available Physical Memory Available free RAM in the computer system in KB Total Virtual Memory Total virtual memory available (includes RAM and
paging file) in KB
Total Disk Space Total disk space in KB on drive C: Available Disk Space Available disk space in KB on drive C: % Used Disk Space % of used disk space on drive C:
4 OPENING AND SAVING FiRECAM FILES
This chapter deals with general file management, including opening and closing FiRECAM input files.
4.1 Opening an Existing Building Description File
Opening an existing FiRECAM input file is quite straightforward. The user selects the Open menu item from the File menu, as in Figure 4-1. The user can also click the Open File ( ) button on the main toolbar. The Open File dialog will then appear allowing the user to pick a file from the list
Figure 4-1. The Open File Menu Item and Open File Dialog Box with File CASE1.FCI Selected
4-2
4.2 Opening Multiple Building Description Files
FiRECAM also allows the user to open multiple files at once. The user selects the Open menu item from the File menu or clicks the Open File ( ) button on the main toolbar. The Open File dialog appears (Figure 4-3), allowing the user to pick one or more files from the list. Once the files are chosen, they will then be opened in alphabetical order. For example, Figure 4-4 shows the FiRECAM main window with multiple opened files.
Figure 4-3. Open File Dialog Box with Multiple Files Selected
4-4 4.3 Building Description File Menus
4.3.1 The File Menu
When a FiRECAM building input file is opened, it expands the File menu to include additional choices. The addition of choices for saving and printing files are added, as well as a list of the four most recently opened files. The expanded File menu is shown below in Figure 4-5.
Figure 4-5. The File Menu When a File is Loaded
Table 4-1. The File Menu
File Menu Action
New File Create a new FiRECAM input file.
Open File Open an existing FiRECAM input file.
Save Save the presently opened FiRECAM input file.
Save As… Save the opened FiRECAM file under a new name.
Close Close a FiRECAM file
Print… Print a FiRECAM report
Printer Setup Specify printer setup and preferences
Exit FiRECAM Quit and close FiRECAM.
4.3.2 The Run Menu
Table 4-2. The Run Menu
Run Menu Action
Run This File… Run the currently open and active file. Run All Open Files Run all the currently open files.
4.3.3 The View Menu
Figure 4-7. The View Menu
Table 4-3. The View Menu
Window Menu Action
Input File View a FiRECAM input report.
Summary Report View a FiRECAM output report.
4-6
4.3.4 The Window Menu
Figure 4-8. The Window Menu
Table 4-4. The Window Menu
Window Menu Action
Cascade Arrange all open FiRECAM file windows in a cascaded
fashion.
Tile Horizontal Arrange all open FiRECAM file windows in a horizontally tiled fashion.
Tile Vertical Arrange all open FiRECAM file windows in a vertically tiled fashion.
Arrange Icons Arrange all minimized open FiRECAM file windows at the bottom of the main screen.
File List This is a list of the presently open files - one item per window.
4.4 Saving a Building Description File
FiRECAM offers two options for saving a file. The first option, saving a file, simply saves the modified file to disk, overwriting the previous contents of the file. Choosing Save from the File menu (Figure 4-9), or clicking the Save ( ) button on the main toolbar save the file to disk. The second option, Save As... from the File menu, is used to save a file with the option of renaming it, if desired (Figure 4-10). The Save File dialog will then appear, as in Figure 4-11, allowing the renaming of the file. If file with the same name already exists, a warning is given. This allows the user to decide if he wants to replace the existing file, or rename the file.
Figure 4-9. Save Menu Item Figure 4-10. Save As… Menu Item
5-1
5 CREATING NEW FIRECAM FILES
This section will describe how to create a new building description file for running in FiRECAM. Three methods for creating a file are discussed:
• Using Predefined Building Templates.
• Using the FiRECAM File Creation Wizard.
• Using an existing FiRECAM file.
To create a new case file, choose the New File item from the File menu (see Figure 5-1), or press the New File ( ) button on the toolbar. . The user can then select one of the three above options, as summarized in Table 5-1.
Table 5-1. FiRECAM New File Options
FiRECAM New File Creation Options Action
Use Predefined Templates FiRECAM presents a set of predefined templates for building:
• Blank File
• Simple Apartment Building
• Simple Office Building
The user may choose one of the pre-existing designs and modify it to suit his purposes.
Use File Creation Wizard FiRECAM will invoke the File Creation Wizard to allow the user to create an input file in steps. The File Wizard will guide the user through all the steps and inputs for creating a new building.
Use an Existing File’s Data The user can create a new file by using the data from an existing file. This option is useful when a new file is created as a template or reference, and new cases are created from this template. Multiple building files with slightly different option can thus be created in this fashion.
5-3 5.1 Using Predefined File Templates
When a user wishes to create a new file from a file template, three choices are available, as shown in Figure 5-2:
Figure 5-2. New File Tab Dialog Showing File Template Choices
Blank FiRECAM File This is the simplest possible case. This template creates a simple one story single room building with no protection or options. The user can then customize this file after creation. Simple Apartment Building This template creates a simple 1 story, four room building with
no protection or options. The user may add additional options after the file is created.
Simple Office Building This template creates a simple one story, four room building with no protection or options. The user may add additional options after the file is created.
The new file will be created immediately after the user chooses any of the above choices from the predefined templates. A typical result is shown in
5-5
5.2 Using an Existing File
If the user want to create an input file which is nearly identical to an existing file, the third file creation tab: “Existing Files” is more suitable, as shown in Figure 5-4. This option allows the user to load an existing FiRECAM file, and save it under a new name. This option is particularly useful for creating a series of building files with slightly different options. These files can then be run to perform a comparison on the effect of different option on the results.
By default, FiRECAM will search in its program directory for the existing files. If the user wishes to use another directory, he may click on the Search ( ) button to search for the new directory and input file location. When the user clicks this button a dialog box will prompt for the location of the existing file, as shown below in Figure 5-5.
Figure 5-4. New File Dialog Showing ‘Use an Existing File’s Data’ Option
Figure 5-5. Open File Dialog
After an existing file is chosen, FiRECAM will read the contents of the file, and create a new case file based on a copy of the contents of the original file. A typical result is shown in Figure 5-6.
5-7
5.3 Using File Creation Wizards
Figure 5-7. New File Tab Dialog Showing Wizards Choices
Table 5-2. FiRECAM Wizard Choices FiRECAM Model Selection
General Case Study Wizard
The user picks this choice when he wants to specify all the parameters for a particular FiRECAM simulation, including the simulation type.
FiRECAM Wizard The user picks this choice when FiRECAM should be run in to calculate risk to life and expected deaths. This involves computing expected risk for all possible fire scenarios and fire origin floors. The final expected risk to life is then computed. Fire Department Wizard This model is picked to evaluate the fire department response
characteristics to a building where normal response statistics can not be applied. Considering the characteristics of the fire department and the distance to the building, the model calculates the response time to the building
Economic Study Wizard This model is picked in order to calculate the building
construction cost and the capital and maintenance costs of the fire protection systems. It will also calculates the replacement costs of building contents and the restoration costs of building elements as a result of smoke, fire and water damage if it is run in addition to FiRECAM
5-9
Table 5-2 Continued
Building Evaluation Wizard The user picks this choice when he wishes to evaluate the fire characteristics of a building if the building is considered to be not a typical building where normal fire statistics can be applied. The model calculates a set of factors that can be used to correct the statistical values of the probability of fire starts, the
probability of various design fires that may develop and the reliability of the fire suppression systems. These correction factors are based on:
• The types and quantity of combustibles in the building
• The separation of the combustibles from potential ignition sources
• The maintenance of fire suppression systems (if they are installed)
Table 5-3. FiRECAM Wizard Screens vs. Wizard Selection Wizard Selection
FiRECAM Model Options
Once the model selection from this screen is complete, the user may then click the Next button to edit and specify the input data for a building. Data input windows are shown below. There is two main parts to these windows:
1. A list that shows the available data categories for a chosen model, and when a particular data category has been visited.
2. A set of command buttons that are used to show the data entry screens.
Depending on the model selection , the available data to be specified will fall under one of the following categories:
• Location
• Materials
• Building Design
• Ground Floor Layout
• Stairs and Exits
• Occupants
• Passive Protection
• Active Protection
• Sprinklers
• Emergency & Planning
• Ignition Risk
• Building Evaluation
• Fire Department
• Fire Growth
• Economic
When a data category has been visited, then the adjacent question mark will be changed to a checkmark, as shown below. This provides feedback to the user when data has been
entered.
Indicates that a data category has not been checked yet Indicates that a data category has been checked
5-11 Table 5-3 Continued Wizard Selection Ge n e ra l Fi RECAM Eval uat ion Fi re D e partmen t Economi c Building Location
This Wizard step is used to specify the building location. When the user presses the Specify… button for “Where is the
Building Located?" a dialog box will pop up with a list of
available locations, and a box for the building’s average indoor temperature.
For a complete description of the building location data, see Section 6.9, "Specifying Building Location"
√√√√ √√√√ √√√√ √√√√ √√√√
Construction Materials
This Wizard step is used to specify the building materials. When the user presses the Specify… button for “Building Materials" a dialog box will pop up with a list of available building materials. For a complete description of the building location data, see Section 6.4.2, "Building Construction Materials"
Table 5-3 Continued Wizard Selection Ge n e ra l Fi RECAM Eval uat ion Fi re D e partmen t Economi c Building Design
This Wizard step is used to specify the building design. When the user presses the Specify… button for “Building Design" a dialog box will pop up with a set of building design entries. For a complete description of the building location data, see Section 6.4.2, "Building Construction Materials"
√√√√ √√√√ √√√√ √√√√ √√√√
Building Floor Layout
This Wizard step is used to specify the building floor layouts. When the user presses the Specify… button for “Ground and
Upper Floor Layouts" a dialog box will pop up with a set of
floor layout options.
5-13 Table 5-3 Continued Wizard Selection Ge n e ra l Fi RECAM Eval uat ion Fi re D e partmen t Economi c
Building Stairs and Exits
This Wizard step is used to specify the building stair and exit locations. When the user presses the Specify… button for “Stairs and Exits" a dialog box will pop up with s set of stair and exit location options.
For a complete description of the building location data, see Section 6.4.2, "Building Construction Materials"
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Building Occupants
This Wizard step is used to specify the building occupant
characteristics. When the user presses the Specify… button for “Building Occupants for Ground and Upper Floors" a dialog box will pop up with a set of floor occupant options.
For a complete description of the building location data, see Section 6.4.2, "Building Construction Materials"
Table 5-3 Continued Wizard Selection Ge n e ra l Fi RECAM Eval uat ion Fi re D e partmen t Economi c
Passive Protection Systems
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Active Protection Systems
5-15 Table 5-3 Continued Wizard Selection Ge n e ra l Fi RECAM Eval uat ion Fi re D e partmen t Economi c Sprinkler Systems √√√√ √√√√ √√√√ √√√√
Emergency & Planning
Table 5-3 Continued Wizard Selection Ge n e ra l Fi RECAM Eval uat ion Fi re D e partmen t Economi c
Building Potential Fire Risk
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Building Safety Evaluation
5-17 Table 5-3 Continued Wizard Selection Ge n e ra l Fi RECAM Eval uat ion Fi re D e partmen t Economi c
Describe Fire Department
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Fire Growth Options
Table 5-3 Continued Wizard Selection Ge n e ra l Fi RECAM Eval uat ion Fi re D e partmen t Economi c
Economic and Cost Calculation Options
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Finished
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Once the file has been created, a file-input screen will be created, as shown below. For this case, the file name is ‘CASE1.FCI’.
5-19
