Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After the course, the student can

  1. apply the basic theory of thermodynamics, combustion and heat transfer to the fire situations,
  2. understand the basic assumptions of the numerical fire models, and perform simple CFD-based fire simulations,
  3. understand, model and simulate the flammability of gases, liquids and solids,
  4. develop fire model inputs from fire scenarios and critically review and communicate the model inputs and assumptions, and
  5. evaluate the thermal performance of structures in fire.

Credits: 5

Schedule: 08.01.2025 - 21.02.2025

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Simo Hostikka

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Week

    Topic

    1

    Introduction to Fire Safety Engineering and Fire-CFD

     

    Heat transfer in fires: Convection

    2

    Fire thermodynamics and flame chemistry

     

    Fire heat release rate

    3

    Heat transfer in fires: Conduction

     

    Heat transfer in fires: Radiation

    4

    Fire plumes and ceiling jets

     

    Smoke management, HVAC

    5

    Flammability of gases and liquid fuels

     

    Flammability of solid materials

    6

    Compartment fire development

     

    Fire resistance of structures

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    1.Weekly homeworks (6 weeks)  50 %

    2.Weekly mini-exams (5 x 5 min)  10 %

    3. Excursion 5 %

    4.Final exam  35 %

Workload
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Lectures
    Computer exercise
    Homeworks
    Excursion
    Reading material

DETAILS

Study Material
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    • Dougal Drysdale: An Introduction to Fire Dynamics. 3rd edition
    • FDS Guides
    • Selected parts of the SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering, 5th edition
    • Other materials (articles,…)

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Language: English

    Teaching Period: 2024-2025 Spring III
    2025-2026 Spring III

    Registration:

    Registration for the course will take place on Sisu (sisu.aalto.fi).