B-RISK: Design fire tool

B-RISK allows several features to be integrated within the design tool to simulate building fires such as:

• a design fire generator and item-to-item fire spread module allowing building contents to be randomly placed within a room and the overall rate of heat release to be determined
• a comprehensive sprinkler response module including operation of multiple heads and parameters for effectiveness and reliability of sprinkler systems
• reliability of other systems such as smoke detectors, mechanical systems and passive elements such as doors
• C/VM2 user mode - useful for fire analysis required to be in compliance with the New Zealand Building Code
• visualisation of geometry and results using Smokeview software
• the inclusion of balcony spill plume relationships to facilitate the design of smoke management systems within buildings.

BRANZ and the University of Canterbury worked together to develop B-RISK, which replaced the BRANZFIRE program.

This research has been funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the Building Research Levy.