CFD: advanced technology to create safe and healthy building

In order to assist with designing effective design conditions, we use in-house computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and other design tools to simulate airflows and heat transfer within buildings. CFD enables us to model how airflows and heat transfer will be affected by different design approaches. This knowledge enables us to design tailor-made concepts fully suited to every specific situation.

Learn more about how CFD is used by reading our blogs.

Some advantages of having CFD technology in-house

Know-how

We have gathered a lot of experience in modelling a variety of different challenges in ventilation design in a wide variety of buildings and situations, for example:

  • Smoke clearance and fume extract in car parks
  • Smoke ventilation in commercial buildings
  • Overheating in power stations
  • Corridor overheating in residential buildings

Validation

Measurement of the actual performance of the installed equipment is a key element to verify the accuracy of the “digital prediction”. We are able to compare the predicted results from CFD modelling with empirical test results on Colt products carried out in our own R&D centre.

We have also verified our own CFD modelling with project-specific testing. Read about our full-scale hot smoke tests in a simulated car park in Middlesbrough for Liverpool One.

Some advantages of having CFD technology in-house

CFD packages

We use Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS), AutoDesk Simulation and our own in-house developed Orca with FloVENT (see below). Each has its own features and benefits. We select the appropriate package to suit the project requirements.

All of this gives you peace of mind that our modelling is robust and based on real life situations.

CFD modelling with Colt’s own Orca program

Orca is an exceptional tool which enables us to provide our customers with a basic CFD model much faster than hitherto – a typical calculation time is around 2 hours.

Our gallery shows a selection of CFD images from a wide variety of building types.

CFD Case Studies

A selection of Colt projects where CFD has been used in the design of the system.