The Role of Zone Models in the Numerical Prediction of Fire Scenario Outcomes Onboard Passenger Ships

Fire models are categorised as zone models and field models. Field models excel in accuracy, whereas zone models outperform field models in terms of computational time and cost efficiency. Through comparison between Consolidated Fire and Smoke Transport (CFAST), representing zone models, and Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS), a benchmark field model, the research discussed in this paper investigates the feasibility of employing zone models to predict the consequences of a potential fire scenario on an accommodation deck of a reference small passenger ship. Such a comparison is the first attempt to study the differences between the two modelling techniques for cruise ships. The findings of this research indicate that CFAST predictions align well with FDS results in the room of fire origin, the cabin. However, the agreement between CFAST and FDS results gradually weakens when continuous spaces are modelled as contiguous compartments like in connected corridors. This study suggests that zone models can serve as a tool for conducting fast conservative comparisons between established rule-based designs and potential alternative designs, particularly concerning the life safety of crew and passengers of small passenger ships. Such simplified models adapt well to their possible future application to extensive safety risk analyses for passenger ships.