FDS/Smokeview 4.05 Release

[Kevin McGrattan <kevin.mcgrattan@nist.gov>]

All

There is a an updated FDS/SV at http://fire.nist.gov/fds/

This is version 4.05. Along with minor bug fixes, this
version contains a smoke detector activation model
implemented by Combustion Science and Engineering under a
grant from NIST. Details of the model are in the FDS Tech
Guide; input parameters in the FDS User's Guide. Let us know
if there is a problem using the new routine.

Also, thanks to all of you who have sent slides documenting
your work with FDS/SV. It has been very interesting to see
all of the various applications from all over the world.

However, I have been disappointed by the response of the US
fire protection engineering community. I know of many
projects that involve FDS/SV here in the US, but to date
most of the material I have received has come from Europe
and the Far East. While it is very gratifying to see the
model being used internationally, I need to emphasize to
potential sponsors that the model is being used in the US as
well. FDS/SV has two sources of support: direct
appropriations from the US Congress, and "Other Agency"
funding, these being other agencies of the US Federal
Government. The only way to distinguish FDS/SV from other
models is its wide use. I strongly believe that in addition
to sound physics and numerics, FDS/SV is worthy of support
because it is being used, and its continued use by the
engineering community makes it more robust, accurate, and
easy to use. But I cannot make this argument without proof,
and I cannot count on continued support from NIST or our
sponsors if I cannot show that the investment is paying off.

I would like these materials by Friday, February 25. 

Kevin


-- 
Kevin McGrattan
National Institute of Standards and Technology
100 Bureau Drive, Stop 8663
Gaithersburg MD 20899-8663

Telephone: (301) 975 2712
FAX:       (301) 975 4052