Scientific Journal Problems of Emergency Situations — S. Shakhov, A. Melnychenko, O. Soshinskiy, S. Saveliev, M. Dement. Influence of potential burning area on the dynamics of the spread of hazardous factors of fire. P. 328-339.

The object of the study is the influence of the potential burning area in Fire Dynamics Simula-tor on the values of fire hazardous factors. The main hypothesis is that changes in the potential burn-ing area in Fire Dynamics Simulator affect the rate at which fire hazardous factors reach their critical threshold values. The problem addressed in this study was to obtain scientifically substantiated data on the influence of the potential burning area in Fire Dynamics Simulator on the values of fire haz-ardous factors. The use of the term “potential burning area” is proposed. As a result, data were ob-tained regarding the influence of the potential burning area on the dynamics of the spread of fire hazardous factors. The results show a significant difference in the time required for visibility to reach its critical threshold values at all measuring points along evacuation routes when the potential burn-ing area is 0.5 m² and 6 m². When the potential burning area is 0.5 m², the visibility indicator does not decrease below 7.5 m, whereas at a potential burning area of 6 m² it decreases to 2.2 m. A com-parison was made of the time required for fire hazardous factors to reach their critical threshold val-ues, particularly visibility, for potential burning areas of 0.5 m² and 6 m². The difference in visibility loss at measuring points № 1, 2, 3, and 4 in percentage terms is 18 %, 13 %, 19 %, and 15 %, respec-tively. At measuring points No. 5 and № 6, when the potential burning area is 0.5 m², visibility loss is not recorded at all. In contrast, when the potential burning area is 6 m², the reduction of visibility below 20 m at measuring points № 5 and No. 6 occurs at 216 s and 220 s, respectively. Thus, the po-tential burning area in Fire Dynamics Simulator modeling should be selected in such a way that there is no artificial limitation of the surface over which flames can spread during the total evacua-tion time. Artificial limitation of the potential burning area leads to distortion of the values of fire hazardous factors.

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Received by the editorial board: 10.03.2026

Accepted for publication: 13.04.2026

Date of publication (release): 31.05.2026