We determine smoke movement and temperature development within building environments using equations, zone models, and computational fluid dynamics. Fire modelling enables us to determine temperatures to use in structural fire design, quantify tenability that informs egress design, and assess or design smoke control systems.

By applying first-principles knowledge about how people behave during fire scenarios and how they will interact with their surroundings, we design intelligent egress routes for buildings. Where exact travel distances from the prescriptive clauses of the code are forcing a design decision, tools such as evacuation modelling can be used to demonstrate the performance of an egress design and propose an alternative solution.

We approach the fire design of timber buildings from a holistic perspective, combining structural fire engineering, egress design, and fire modelling to demonstrate that complex timber buildings are safe. Our analytical approach to fire safety in timber buildings adds strength to alternative solutions in jurisdictions where the timber building is beyond code limits.

We perform structural calculations to demonstrate load-carrying capacity during fire scenarios with reduced or eliminated fire protection, in both new and existing buildings. We perform analyses of critical structural members to demonstrate stability and progressive collapse mitigation for fire events, including key structural elements. Our experience can also be applied to prescriptive fire protection strategies to ensure the most efficient assemblies are used to improve economy and constructability.

Despite best efforts during design, construction, and operation, fires still occur. Entuitive has experience with the investigation and repair of structures damaged by fire, ranging from small, existing parking garages to multimillion-dollar P3 projects under construction. Our emphasis is on efficiently assessing the scope of structural repair required and ensuring the building can be back in service as quickly as possible. We work with contractors, insurance representatives, and inspection and testing agencies to get the client to the finish line.