Fire & Life Safety

Free, open-source visualization and animation tool for displaying simulation results from NIST Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) and CFAST models -- renders particle flow, gas temperature contours, smoke density, and flow vectors in 3D animations and 2D slices, enabling fire protection engineers to understand fire and smoke behavior; developed and maintained by NIST.

C1 5/5 reflects free, open-source distribution, and C2 3/5 reflects read-only visualization of pre-generated simulation data with no scripting API. C4 5/5 reflects native SMV format and CSV data import from FDS/CFAST, and C5 5/5 reflects deep integration as the canonical visualization tool for FDS and CFAST. Smokeview is essential infrastructure in the FDS/CFAST fire modeling ecosystem.

Free, open-source computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of fire-driven fluid flow that solves the Navier-Stokes equations for low-speed, thermally-driven flow with emphasis on smoke and heat transport from fires -- used by fire protection engineers worldwide to model fire growth, smoke propagation, heat transfer, and sprinkler activation in buildings; developed and maintained by NIST.

C1 5/5 reflects free, open-source distribution with no licensing fees, and C2 2/5 reflects a text-based input format (.fds) and command-line solver rather than a GUI or API. C4 5/5 reflects native .fds format and broad third-party import support (via PyroSim, Thunderhead Pathfinder, and other GUIs), and C5 4/5 reflects integration with Smokeview visualization, PyroSim, and Pathfinder. Firm-size fit is small-team to growing.

Free, open-source fire modeling software that simulates fire growth, smoke transport, and temperature distribution throughout building compartments during a fire -- used by fire investigators, safety officials, engineers, and architects to predict how smoke, heat, and harmful gases move and change as a fire progresses; developed and maintained by NIST.

C1 5/5 reflects free, open-source distribution with no licensing fees, and C2 2/5 reflects a compartment-based model with no GUI or REST API (command-line driven). C4 4/5 reflects text input and integration with Smokeview visualization, and C5 4/5 reflects complementary relationship with FDS and Smokeview. CFAST excels in zone-model fire scenarios where full CFD is computationally prohibitive.

Pedestrian dynamics and evacuation simulation software that models 3D crowd movement, circulation, and emergency egress scenarios -- used by fire protection and life-safety engineers to validate egress code compliance, analyze occupant flow under fire conditions, and optimize emergency response; features adaptive agent-based modeling, automatic way-finding, occupant demographics, and scenario testing; developed by Oasys (part of Arup).

C1 3/5 reflects quote-only pricing on a quote-request basis, and C2 3/5 reflects a software development kit (SDK) enabling custom integration and algorithm control, though no public REST API or CLI. C4 4/5 reflects .fbx, .ifc, .dwg import with multiple output formats (tables, heatmaps, graphs), and C5 4/5 reflects BIM workflow integration via IFC and custom SDK access. Verified per IMO 1238 and NIST Technical Note 1822 standards.

Fire dynamics simulation software that provides a graphical user interface for the NIST Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) -- used by fire protection engineers to model fire growth, smoke spread, sprinkler activation, and tenability conditions in buildings; imports CAD/BIM geometry (DWG, DXF, IFC), manages FDS simulations, and produces visualizations and reports; developed by Thunderhead Engineering (founded 1998, Manhattan KS).

C1 4/5 reflects published annual pricing from USD 1,200 to USD 1,800 plus a 30-day trial, and RF2 keeps C2 1/5 because delivery is a desktop GUI with no public API or CLI. C4 4/5 reflects FDS-native workflows plus IFC, DWG, and DXF import with CSV and SMV export, and C5 3/5 reflects FDS and Smokeview integration.

Pedestrian movement and egress simulation software for modeling crowd ingress, circulation, and evacuation scenarios -- used by fire protection and life-safety engineers to validate egress code compliance, analyze occupant tenability in fire emergencies (visibility, FED exposure), and plan emergency response; imports CAD and BIM geometry (IFC, DXF, DWG, PDF); developed by Thunderhead Engineering (founded 1998, Manhattan KS).

C1 3/5 reflects published annual pricing from USD 2,640 to USD 3,960 plus a 30-day trial, and RF2 keeps C2 2/5 because automation is limited to a desktop scripting toolkit rather than a public REST API or CLI. C4 4/5 reflects IFC, DWG, DXF, and PDF import with CSV export, and C5 3/5 reflects FDS and PyroSim integration.

Evacuation and occupant movement simulation software that models how people navigate and evacuate buildings during emergencies -- enables detailed analysis of egress routes, evacuation times, congestion, and occupant behavior under fire conditions; supports complex multi-floor buildings with customizable occupant demographics and real-time visualization; part of IES Virtual Environment suite.

C1 3/5 reflects subscription licensing (quote-only pricing), and C2 2/5 reflects desktop-first delivery with no documented public API or CLI surface. C4 4/5 reflects DXF CAD import and detailed text/CSV output with screen capture capabilities, and C5 3/5 reflects integration within the broader IES Virtual Environment suite. Well-suited for complex multi-building evacuation scenarios.

Fire alarm and life safety system design software delivered as an AutoCAD add-in -- enables automated device placement, circuit calculations, battery sizing, voltage drop analysis, code compliance checks (NFPA), system riser diagram generation, and standardized reports; streamlines fire alarm layout workflows directly within AutoCAD; developed by CadGen Software LLC (acquired by Inspect Point, April 2025).

C1 3/5 reflects annual subscription pricing published by vendor as less than $2,000/yr (AutoCAD Add-in) and less than $3,000/yr (Standalone); current rates quoted on request. C2 2/5 reflects AutoCAD OEM dependency with no standalone API. C4 2/5 reflects DWG-native workflows without documented broad export, and C5 4/5 reflects tight AutoCAD platform integration and embedded NFPA code database. Includes 6 months of remote technical support per license.

Integrated 3D fire sprinkler system design software that automates sprinkler layout, hydraulic calculations, and BIM coordination -- supports automatic sprinkler head placement, pipe routing, NFPA-compliant hydraulic analysis (Hazen-Williams and Darcy-Weisbach), material takeoffs, and integration with AutoCAD, BricsCAD, and Revit; developed by Hydratec Inc. (since 1972).

C1 2/5 and C2 1/5 reflect quote-only pricing and no documented public API/CLI, with C4 2/5 reflecting DWG-native design and limited export scope. C5 4/5 reflects strong CAD platform integration (AutoCAD, BricsCAD native; Revit via HydraCALC for Revit). Paired with companion HydraCALC and HydraLIST tools for complete sprinkler project workflows.

Fire sprinkler system design and hydraulic calculation software suite by Johnson Controls -- includes SprinkCAD 3D for 3D sprinkler layout, SprinkCALC for hydraulic calculations (Hazen-Williams and Darcy-Weisbach), SprinkCAD Classic for 2D design, SprinkCAD for Revit Fabrication Tool, and SprinkSLIC for stock listing; runs on AutoCAD and BricsCAD; part of Johnson Controls Fire Suppression Products (since 1986).

RF1 and RF2 keep C1 2/5 and C2 1/5 because pricing is quote-only and the AutoCAD or BricsCAD add-in has no documented API, CLI, or scripting surface. C4 2/5 reflects DWG-native work with partial RVT and NWC export, and C5 3/5 reflects AutoCAD, BricsCAD, Revit, and Navisworks connections.

Fire sprinkler system design CAD software for automatic sprinkler layout, hydraulic calculations, and BIM coordination -- available as a standalone application based on proprietary CAD engine and as an AutoCAD add-on, serving fire protection engineers and MEP contractors.

The fire-life-safety placement is sprinkler layout, hydraulic calculations, and BIM coordination in standalone and AutoCAD-based workflows. RF1 and RF2 keep C1 2/5 and C2 1/5 because pricing is contact-sales and no documented API, CLI, or scripting surface is published; C4 2/5 reflects DWG and DXF exchange.