This page provides a curated overview of software tools and resources commonly used in conjunction with Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) for fire engineering analyses.
The listed tools support different stages of the workflow, including learning, model creation, geometry preparation, mesh setup, evacuation analysis, post-processing and complementary fire modelling approaches.
The resources are intended for engineers, researchers and practitioners involved in computational fire modelling and performance-based fire safety design.
Documentation & Learning Resources
| Tool Name | URL | Description |
|---|---|---|
| FDS-SMV Manuals | https://pages.nist.gov/fds-smv/manuals.html | Official documentation published by NIST for Fire Dynamics Simulator and Smokeview. |
| FDStutorial.com | https://fdstutorial.com | Educational website providing tutorials, examples and auxiliary tools related to FDS. |
| Fire Dynamics Tools (FDTs) | https://fdstutorial.com/fire-dynamics-tools-fdts/ | Excel-based fire engineering calculation tools developed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). |
FDS Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs)
| Tool Name | URL | Description |
|---|---|---|
| PyroSim | https://www.thunderheadeng.com/pyrosim | Commercial graphical interface for creating, editing and running FDS models with CAD integration. |
| BlenderFDS | http://www.blenderfds.org/ | Open-source Blender add-on for 3D geometry creation and FDS input export. |
| ASPIRE SDS | https://xtralis.com/product_view.cfm?product_id=50 | Interface focused on FDS simulations for smoke detection and ASD system design. |
| CYPE Building Services | http://www.fds.en.cype.com/ | BIM-oriented software with automatic generation of FDS-compatible models. |
CAD & Geometry Conversion
| Tool Name | URL | Description |
|---|---|---|
| step2fds | https://github.com/wolfris/step2fds | Scripts for converting STEP CAD files into geometries compatible with FDS. |
| acad2fds | https://github.com/shkleinik/acad2fds | AutoCAD plug-in to convert DWG geometries into FDS format. |
| Roof Generator | https://github.com/MSalisbury/FDSTools/releases | Utility for generating symmetric curved roof geometries for FDS models. |
Mesh & Computational Setup
| Tool Name | URL | Description |
|---|---|---|
| FDS Mesh Size Calculator | https://fdstutorial.com/fds-mesh-size-calculator/ | Tool for estimating suitable mesh resolution based on fire heat release rate. |
| FDS Mesh Splitter | https://github.com/MSalisbury/FDS_MeshSplitter | Tool for splitting a domain into multiple meshes for parallel computation. |
| ParFDS | https://github.com/slink/ParFDS/ | Python wrapper for automating parametric and batch FDS simulations. |
| StreamCFD FDS Tools | https://tools.streamcfd.in/ | Utilities for MPI optimization and fire growth calculations. |
Evacuation & Human Behaviour
| Tool Name | URL | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pathfinder | https://www.thunderheadeng.com/pathfinder/ | Agent-based evacuation simulator commonly coupled with FDS results. |
| Viswalk | https://www.ptvgroup.com/en/products/pedestrian-simulation-software-ptv-viswalk | Pedestrian simulation tool that can incorporate fire exposure and FED data. |
Zone Fire Models (Complementary)
| Tool Name | URL | Description |
|---|---|---|
| CFAST | https://pages.nist.gov/cfast/ | Two-zone fire model developed by NIST for rapid estimation of smoke and gas conditions. |
| B-RISK | https://www.branz.co.nz/b-risk/ | Probabilistic zone fire model used in performance-based fire engineering. |
Post-Processing & Automation
| Tool Name | URL | Description |
|---|---|---|
| pyFDSTools | https://github.com/johodges/pyfdstools | Python package for reading and processing FDS output data. |
| FDSReader | https://github.com/FireDynamics/fdsreader | Lightweight Python library for fast access to FDS binary results. |
| FDS Docker Images | https://hub.docker.com/r/openbcl/fds | Docker containers for running different versions of FDS. |
Editors & Syntax Support
| Tool Name | URL | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Notepad++ FDS Syntax | https://github.com/firetools/notepad-plus-plus-fds | Notepad++ configuration with syntax highlighting for FDS input files. |
| SublimeFDS | https://github.com/rmcdermo/SublimeFDS | Sublime Text plug-in for formatting and editing FDS input files. |
| FDS-VIM-Syntax | https://github.com/uporersith/FDS-VIM-Syntax | Syntax highlighting support for editing FDS input files in Vim. |