The Sixth Sense Movie Based Case Study
Fire modelling
Gorbett et Al. (2008) define Computer Fire Models (CFM) as the combination of mathematical functions derived from physical principles or preliminary information. The easiest computer models address single functions, while the more sophisticated models are made up of thousands of functions. A particular type of fire model, “the room fire model,” can predict the fire conditions in structures and act as a useful instrument in fire investigations. Fire models help determine the fire development in a room, evaluating the fire scenario designed by an investigator, for comparison of fire events to assess the fire lines and for carrying out the “what-if” analyses. This essay, therefore, seeks to identify and detail the current computer fire modelling functions and to cover the classes of fire modelling programs as well as the sub-classifications of each program class.
Fire Model Programs
Due to a wide range of fire models present, different levels of expertise are relevant to apply the models to investigations correctly. Those using fire models must have a clear understanding of the specific presumptions made by the models and the sources of experimental relations and information used as inputs. Each model has certain limitations due to the presumptions made and the experimental approaches used to determine the relations and the input information. There exist two types of fire models available to fire investigators: zone models and field models.
Zone Models
These models split rooms into one or several zones (Gorbett et al., 2008). The models that are commonly applied presume that a place is made up of two zones; an upper layer entailing heated combustion products and a lower layer which includes cooler air that is free of combustion products. In a double zone model, a fire forms the link between the upper and lower layers. The layers are presumed to be correctly mixed so that the conditions in both layers are constant. Several models consist of provisions for openings to the outside or other zones and loss of heat to the walls and ceiling. The inputs in this kind of model include the room measurements and building material, the location and size of the room openings, furnishing attributes and the rate of releasing the fire. The outputs generally include the projection of fire alarm activation time, flashover time, the temperature in both layers, dimensions of interface between upper and lower layers and the gas concertation (Gorbett et al., 2008)
Field Models
Suard et al. (2013) present that field models are also called “Computational Fluid Dynamics Models” (CFD). The model splits a room or merge into a vast number of three-dimensional boxes called cells. The enclosures consist of thousands of cells varying in sizes. It relies on the primary physical principle of energy, mass and conservation of momentum. Therefore, any period, it is possible to determine the temperature, speed and concertation of gases in each cell. The properties within each cell are also presumed to be constant. The vast number of cells allows the conditions in the room to be projected in better details. Suard et al. (2013) highlight that the field models can project the conditions in vast and small places, in spaces with sophisticated shapes and sophisticated room configurations. This ability is not possible with the zone model program. However, due to the complicated nature of field models, they need highly trained expertise to run and are presently operating on expensive computer investments.
Benefits of Computer Modelling
Computer modelling is a discipline that is fast becoming familiar in both the government and industry. This kind of modelling can help in the design, creation and evaluation of a sophisticated system (Azhar et al., 2008). Chief Officers, program managers, designers, researchers, analysts and engineers use computer modelling to comprehend and evaluate “what if scenarios.” Therefore, computer modelling helps people to gain a better comprehension of a particular process as well as identifying the problems that may arise in the process. Modelling also helps one to determine the effect of changes in systems like demand, resources, supply and barriers. Nevertheless, computer modelling helps in identifying actions needed relevant to a particular function, company or event to boost or solve problems in a process.
Availability to Local Jurisdictions
The fire models are majorly not available to the local authorities that help in firefighting in the United States. Zone room fire models are available from well-established sources such as “National Institute of Standards and Technology” (NIST). The general purpose field models are found commercially from various sources. Enhanced field models, particularly made for fire analysis, are sourced from NIST too. Noticeably, the approach in the application of models varies from one programmer to another. There is no universal approach in the use of these programs.