Confluence Shopping Centre
We provided a shopping mall CFD analysis and atrium simulations for the Confluence Shopping Centre located in Belgium.
THE CHALLENGE
Since many customers visit shopping malls at any given time for any given reason, a shopping centre design must carefully consider the inhabitants’ safety. The main challenge regarding safety in a vast enclosed space with a large floating population, expensive property, large merchandise stocks, kitchens, restaurants and regular employees is the possibility of fire. Preventing as well as mitigating its effect(s) and identifying weaknesses is therefore of utmost concern.
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SERVICES PROVIDED
CFD Analysis
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CFD Simulation
OUR APPROACH
Our approach involved using CFD methodology to analyse several conditions including smoke and fire scenarios as well as factors which affect the development of a fire. Our calculations involved an initial part of air and then fire simulation using CFD to predict indoor air flow speeds on different building levels. Then, we created a model of coupled thermal and air flow simulation to check several conditions , including potential overheating in summer. The dynamics of a fire in a shopping centre throws up certain unique situations and factors. This means shopping mall fire safety has its own considerations. Our CFD methodology was therefore further developed to not only identify fluid flow risks but identify and mitigate weaknesses with the consideration of other factors such as the building’s position, wind exposure and entrance and exit locations.
OUTCOME
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1 Country, 1 Time Zone
1 CFD Simulation Report
Since 2020, we have been supporting the Confluence Shopping Centre ensuring fire prevention and fire protection preparedness and using the latest software for computational fluid dynamics to make the process as effective as possible.