This guide provides recommendations for fire model users and authorities having jurisdiction in establishing the limitations of fire models in fire risk and fire hazard assessments. The guide also makes recommendations for fire model developers to identify appropriate uses and limitations of their model.

This guide is intended to assist in evaluating the appropriate use of fire models in fire assessment. These types of assessments are employed in product development, as well as in design and construction. Further guidance can be found in Guide E 1546.

This guide is not intended to address all or limit any methods of evaluating proper use of a fire model. It does address the use of fire models in fire hazard assessment. Other uses of fire models include post-fire analysis, research, education, and litigation.

The primary emphasis of this guide is both zone models and computational fluid dynamics models of compartment fires. However, other types of mathematical models need similar evaluations of their prediction capabilities.

1.1 This guide covers a methodology for the systematic evaluation of fire models, which may be used in fire hazard analyses.

1.2 This guide provides a means of identifying both general and specific limitations of fire models for specific applications.

1.3 This guide is intended to assist model developers, model users, and authorities having jurisdiction in assuming the responsible use of fire models.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.