Fire Protection Engineering | Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Undergraduate Courses

FP 3070. FUNDAMENTALS OF FIRESAFETY ANALYSIS

Cat. I

This course introduces students of different technical disciplines to analytical
methods and techniques to address problems of fire, explosions, or hazardous
incidents. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the physical concepts of
the problem and their interactions. Quantification will adapt existing procedures
to appropriate levels of theoretical and empirical methods in the field of fire
science and engineering. Computer applications will be incorporated.
Recommended background: mathematics through differential equations;
engineering science; fluid mechanics.

FP 3080. INTRODUCTION TO BUILDING FIRES SAFETY SYSTEM DESIGN

This course introduces principles and applications of building fire safety design.
Topics include the interaction between fire, the building, and building
occupants; systems that are used to detect, suppress, and control the spread of
fire; and systems that facilitate the safe evacuation of occupants during fire.
Building code requirements and engineering methods for analysis and design of
building fire safety systems will be explored.

Recommended background: Thermodynamics.

FP 4000. FIRE LABORATORY

Cat. I
This course will cover experimental methods used in fire research as well as other thermal-fluid topic areas. Students will learn fundamentals of metrology (calibration, sensor response constraints, uncertainty quantification), standard tests in fire research (i.e. cone calorimeter, fire propagation apparatus, etc.), as well as other measurement methods (thermocouples, heat flux gauges, velocimetry, thermometry, etc.). Students will also learn design of experiments and conduct a large-scale experiment in the UL performance lab. Recommended background: MA 2051 Differential Equations and ES 3001 Thermodynamics.

Graduate Courses

FP 520. FIRE MODELING

Modeling of compartment fire behavior is studied through the use and application of two types of models: zone and field. The zone model studied is CFAST. The field model studied is FDS. Focus on in-depth understanding of each of these models is the primary objective in terms of needed input, equations solved, interpretation of output and limitations. Additional fundamental understanding of fire models is gained via a student developed model. A working student model is required for successful completion of the course. Basic computational ability is assumed. Basic numerical methods are used and can be learned during the course via independent study. (Prerequisite: FP 521 or permission of the instructor.)

FP 521. FIRE DYNAMICS I

This course introduces students to fundamentals of fire and combustion and is intended to serve as the first exposure to fire dynamics phenomena. The course includes fundamental topics in fire and combustion such as thermodynamics of combustion, fire chemistry, premixed and diffusion flames, solid burning, ignition, plumes, heat release rate curves, and flame spread. These topics are then used to develop the basis for introducing compartment fire behavior, pre- and postflashover conditions and zone modeling. Basic computational ability is assumed. Basic numerical methods are used and can be learned during the course via independent study. (Prerequisites: Undergraduate chemistry, thermodynamics or physical chemistry, fluid mechanics and heat transfer.)

FP 553. FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS

This course provides an introduction to automatically activated fire suppression and detection systems. A general overview is presented of relevant physical and chemical phenomena, and commonly used hardware in automatic sprinkler, gaseous agent, foam and dry chemical systems. Typical contemporary installations and current installation and approval standards are reviewed. (Prerequisites: Undergraduate courses in chemistry, fluid mechanics and either thermodynamics or physical chemistry.)

FP 554. ADVANCED FIRE SUPPRESSION

Advanced topics in suppression systems analysis and design are discussed with an aim toward developing a performance-based understanding of suppression technology. Automatic sprinkler systems are covered from the standpoint of predicting actuation times, reviewing numerical methods for hydraulic analyses of pipe flow networks and understanding the phenomenology involved in water spray suppression. Special suppression systems are covered from the standpoint of two-phase and non-Newtonian pipe flow and simulations of suppression agent discharge and mixing in an enclosure.

FP 555. DETECTION, ALARM AND SMOKE CONTROL

Principles of fire detection using flame, heat and smoke detector technology are described. Fire alarm technology and the electrical interface with fire/smoke detectors are reviewed in the context of contemporary equipment and installation standards. Smoke control systems based on buoyancy and HVAC principles are studied in the context of building smoke control for survivability and safe egress. (Prerequisites: FP 553 and FP 521, which can be taken concurrently.)

FP 570. BUILDING FIRE SAFETY I

This course focuses on the presentation of qualitative and quantitative means for firesafety analysis in buildings. Fire test methods, fire and building codes and standards of practice are reviewed in the context of a systematic review of firesafety in proposed and existing structures.

FP 571. PERFORMANCE-BASED DESIGN

This course covers practical applications of fire protection engineering principles to the design of buildings. Both compartmented and noncompartmented buildings will be designed for criteria of life safety, property protection, continuity of operations, operational management and cost. Modern analytical tools as well as traditional codes and standards are utilized. Interaction with architects and code officials, and an awareness of other factors in the building design process are incorporated through design exercises and a design studio. (Prerequisites: FP 553, FP 521 and FP 570, or special permission of the instructor.)

FP 572. FAILURE ANAYLSIS

Development of fire investigation and reconstruction as a basis for evaluating and improving fire-safety design. Accident investigation theory and failure analysis techniques such as fault trees and event sequences are presented. Fire dynamics and computer modeling are applied to assess possible fire scenarios and the effectiveness of fire protection measures. The product liability aspects of failure analysis are presented. Topics include products liability law, use of standard test methods, warnings and safe product design. Application of course materials is developed through projects involving actual case studies.

FP 573. INDUSTRIAL FIRE PROTECTION

Principles of fire dynamics, heat transfer and thermodynamics are combined with a general knowledge of automatic detection and suppression systems to analyze fire protection requirements for generic industrial hazards. Topics covered include safe separation distances, plant layout, hazard isolation, smoke control, warehouse storage, and flammable liquid processing and storage. Historic industrial fires influencing current practice on these topics are also discussed. (Prerequisites: FP 553, FP 521 or special permission of the instructor.)

FP 575. EXPLOSION PROTECTION

Principles of combustion explosions are taught along with explosion hazard and protection applications. Topics include a review of flammability limit concentrations for flammable gases and dusts; thermochemical equilibrium calculations of adiabatic closed-vessel deflagration pressures, and detonation pressures and velocities; pressure development as a function of time for closed vessels and vented enclosures; the current status of explosion suppression technology; and vapor cloud explosion hazards.