fds_param — Parameter study and optimization utility

[ghaffari-eng]

Description
A Python utility for automating parametric studies with FDS. Takes a template FDS input file with tagged parameters ({{param_name}}), a YAML configuration defining parameter ranges, and runs the study automatically — generating input files, executing FDS (serial or parallel), collecting device output, and producing a summary CSV.

Supports

• Parameter sweeps (linear range)
• Parameter lists (explicit values)
• Parallel execution via multiprocessing
• Result extraction from _devc.csv (max, min, mean, final, time-to-threshold)
• Optimization via scipy (Nelder-Mead, differential evolution)

Technical Details

• Template engine replaces {{param}} tags and auto-generates unique CHIDs per run
• YAML config defines parameter types (sweep, list, fixed), objectives, and study type
• Runner creates isolated subdirectories per run, captures stdout/stderr, detects completion
• Collector parses FDS _devc.csv format (skips unit row, reads headers, extracts requested quantities)
• No modifications to FDS source code — purely additive utility

Testing and Verification
Tested with a simple sealed room case (2m × 2m × 2m, varying HRRPUA from 100 to 300 kW/m²):

HRRPUA=100: T_ceiling_max = 87.6 °C
HRRPUA=200: T_ceiling_max = 131.9 °C  
HRRPUA=300: T_ceiling_max = 175.9 °C

Results confirm expected physics — higher fire intensity produces higher ceiling temperatures, scaling roughly linearly.
Verification test case included in the attached files under Verification/Utilities/fds_param_test/.

Attached files contain:

• Utilities/Python/fds_param/ — the tool (8 Python files + README)
• Verification/Utilities/fds_param_test/ — test template, config, and run script
• fds_param_guide.pdf — usage guide

Dependencies: Python 3.8+, PyYAML, scipy (optional, for optimization only).
fds_param_guide.pdf

fds_param_files.zip

[drjfloyd]

Thanks for sharing your tool. For something like this it would be better for you to make your own public github repo and let us know the repo address. We can then add it to the list of 3rd party tools found here: https://github.com/firemodels/fds/wiki/Third-Party-Tools. This way if there are issues that people have when using it or you make changes, you can maintain and update the tool and those using it can get those updates directly from your repo.

[ghaffari-eng]

Thanks Jason. Here's the repo: https://github.com/ghaffari-eng/fds-param

[drjfloyd]

I added to our Third party tools under the Calculation Tools section. Please take a look and let us know if we need to make any edits.

[ghaffari-eng]

I added to our Third party tools under the Calculation Tools section. Please take a look and let us know if we need to make any edits.

Thanks Jason, appreciate you adding it. I've been using this on a few projects recently - happy to address any issues that come up and keep improving it based on feedback.