Importing BIM topology

Fenix+ 3 allows you to import topology from BIM models in .ifc file format. This feature is available while importing into the Building scenario entity.

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Elements of the imported model will be automatically assigned to the correlating floors based on the data from the ifc file.

Topological elements imported from an .ifc differ from the elements created using the Fenix+ tools. They have a different set of configurable properties, as well as other capabilities and limitations that should be considered, such as:

• Objects of the imported model can be moved, individual elements can be deleted, and their visibility can be turned off.
• Ifc-imported elements cannot be copied.
• Object qualities such as colors are imported.
• Imported elements are assigned a material that is taken into account when simulating a fire. By default, it’s the first non-combustible material in alphabetical order from the Materials Editor.
• The imported ifc model can be displayed from the Visualization Tab in 3D or VR.

Requirements for 0imported models and features of imported objects

Fenix+ supports files that meet the criteria listed below. When attempting to import IFC files of unsupported formats or files with a damaged structure, the program displays an error message.

• IFC file version: IFC 2x3, IFC4, or later versions are supported.
• Parent element structure: IfcBuilding, IfcBuildingStorey, and IfcSite (building represented by a single floor) are supported.
• Floor properties: Elevation and TotalHeight are supported.
• Element shapes: All types are supported except simple primitives.
• Special object types are supported:
  • IfcOpeningElement: imported correctly when placed in a wall. In Fenix+, it is a cutout in the topology Solid Body.
  • IfcDoor with parent element IfcOpeningElement: imports correctly when placed in a wall. Functions similar to a Fenix+ Door.
  • IfcDoor: imports correctly when placed in a wall or any part of the space. Functions similar to a Fenix+ Door with corresponding properties.
  • IfcSlab: imports correctly when located in any part of the space. In Fenix+, it is displayed as an element similar to Floor slab.
  • IfcStairFlight. In Fenix+, it is displayed as Stairway. The properties RiserHeight, TreadLength (or TreadDepth), NumberOfRisers (or NumberOfRiser), NumberOfTreads are supported. The values of the step size properties are used to calculate errors when adjusting their position.
  • All other types of objects will be represented in Fenix+ as obstacles without any special properties (similar to Solid Body). IfcFlowTerminal and IfcRailing are also simple obstacles, but with less accurate contour calculation.
• Door placement: For correct evacuation simulation, door levels must match the floor level of human movement. To correct this after the import, the height of the door must be moved using the Lower level or Lower Z parameters.

Import steps

To make an import of an ifc-file, follow these steps:

1. Open the right-click context menu for the desired Building by choosing it in the scenario tree.

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2. Click Import. A file selection window will appear in Windows Explorer.

3. Change the file types available at the bottom of the window to “BIM files (.ifc)” or “All files (*.)” to display .ifc files.

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4. Select the required file. Click OK to close Windows Explorer. The Fenix+ “Import IFC” window will appear.

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5. Select the required set of floors or object classes on the right side of the window.

   A preview of the 3D model will be located in the left part of the window. You can change the viewing angle using the set buttons and hotkeys similar to ones on the Fenix+ Additional Toolbar.

6. Click Import in the lower right corner of the window. The model will be added to the project scenario.

Elements of the imported model will be automatically assigned to the correlating floors based on the data from the ifc file. But floors that were present in the scenario before importing new elements will not be affected.

Modeling fire dynamics and evacuation simulations

While fire simulation takes place, ifc-imported elements will be transferred and processed to the FDS in full. The results of the FDS calculations can be viewed on the Visualization Tab, using the Show Results in (3D) button.

Evacuation Simulation with the ifc-imported model currently functions in beta mode.

Modeling evacuation simulation with an ifc-imported model will follow a regular Fenix+ workflow — placing occupants, setting up exits, then rooms, and other necessary elements. Within the current realisation, there are several details about fire and evacuation modeling to consider:

• When evacuation simulation takes place, Occupants will be able pass through the doors and stairs of the ifc-imported model, bypass obstacles, and automatically navigate the evacuation route between rooms.
• Imported doors and staircases do not have the additional property “With registering device”, so it is recommended to place the Registering device as a separate element to record time steps of occupants passing through the evacuation stages.
• Rooms cannot be placed automatically within the ifc-imported topology via the option “Random area”, but their boundaries can be outlined manually.
• Imported windows do not have additional properties such as “Account for leaks” that’s present in the Fenix+ windows element, and their destruction is not taken into account in the fire dynamics simulation.
• Imported doors will not close automatically. It is recommended to specify the closing time in the Fire Simulation Parameters, within the Doors and Windows section.

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