Cambridge South STN – Fire Modelling

As part of the fire safety engineering CFD team, EFA Engineering conducted a comprehensive assessment for the proposed Cambridge South Station on behalf of the Department for Transport(DfT).

Advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools, including Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS), were employed to evaluate fire safety under worst-case scenarios. The study revealed that the single means of escape from the central platforms was insufficient for safe evacuation within regulatory limits. It also assessed the risk of radiative heat flux igniting timber-supported canopies and photovoltaic panels during a train fire, offering vital design recommendations.

The project included developing detailed fire growth models considering heat release, smoke visibility, and wind effects, ensuring compliance with BS 7974 and Building Regulations 2010 in collaboration with Network Rail.