An NMF-based compoment library for fire simulation

The simulation of the transient behaviour of buildings is becoming more important as faster and cheaper computers reach the market. Many simulation programs and specialized tools have been developed to simulate complex situations. With growing problem complexity the simulation programs have to provide more user support and more advanced models. Ibis is usually solved by writing tailored application programs using specialized solution methods and menus or window interfaces. The results are efficient tools for the end user. The development of specialized end-user applications is normally very time-consuming. Therefore good programs are normally only available for the most common-used calculations. Simulation models that differ from the standard models in any matter have to be either made by running an existing model using "tricks", or using a general modular simulation program combining existing or self?written modules into the desired system. Common modular simulation programs for building simulation include for example TRNSYS, HVACSIM + and IDA, these all providing flexibility in writing own models, in principle. However, the use of this kind of program require a lot of knowledge and experience of the simulation program. An example of a problem that is not completely covered by specialized programs is simulation of smoke distribution in a ventilation system with mechanical ventilation during the development of a fire. A few initial simulations have been carried out using IDA with a limited library of specialized components. Developing models for this kind of programs is often a quite laborious task. This paper presents a practical application of a definition language called NMF, Neutral Model Format. (Sahlin 1989) applied to the simulation of fire development in buildings using the IDA modular simulation program developed by ITM (Institute of Applied Mathematics) of Stockholm (BRING 1990). The project has been run for a short time during the winter 1990?91 at SINTEF Applied Thermodynamics in Trondheim, Norway, and includes model development, testing and running. The model library will be the kernel of a component library to be used by other simulations later, and will be further developed as the need for new facilities occur. This work shows that NMF is already working well as a concept for model development for practical applications. The subsequent exploration of the possibilities of this definition format is interesting, and further projects should be initiated.