What is OpenFire?
OpenFire is a free, open-source library of verified fire-science and fire-engineering equations. It provides a single, transparent source of trusted methods that the entire community can use, review, and improve; helping ensure that every engineer speaks the same scientific language.
It is a powerful Python API, making it simple to integrate calculations into your own tools or research workflows. Whether you're a researcher, consultant, or regulator, OpenFire helps you build, test, and share reliable, reproducible methods.
What is OpenFire Desktop?
OpenFire Desktop is a paid, professional application for fire engineers, reviewers and design teams who need robust, defensible fire-safety calculations in day-to-day practice. It takes the same transparent methods from OpenFire and turns them into guided workflows, so you can move faster without losing control.
With OpenFire Desktop, you get structured calculation sheets, AI-assisted explanations, input checks, and clear documentation of assumptions and limitations. It's designed to help you communicate your reasoning to peers, clients and regulators, not to replace your judgement.
Under Active Development
OpenFire Desktop is under active development. Join the mailing list to follow progress and be first to hear when it becomes available.
Register InterestWhy OpenFire matters
Fire engineering relies on decades of equations and correlations that are scattered, inconsistently implemented and rarely revisited.
Today, the same method might be coded differently in ten different spreadsheets. That makes reviews slow and trust in the numbers fragile.
OpenFire creates a shared, open, continuously tested implementation of these methods, so anyone can see exactly what's being used and how it behaves.
OpenFire Desktop then puts this engine into the hands of practitioners and reviewers, helping projects move faster while making fire-safety arguments clearer, more transparent and easier to challenge when needed.
Who It's For
OpenFire and OpenFire Desktop support everyone involved in making buildings safer, faster, from design through to approval and research.
Fire Engineers
Practising consultants and in-house engineers responsible for fire-safety design and justification.
Access a single, validated source of fire-engineering equations.
Automate documentation and reasoning while retaining control over assumptions.
Use AI-supported guidance to speed up iteration, not to replace judgement.
Reviewers & Regulators
Authorities, verifiers, and insurers assessing the safety logic of submitted designs.
Reproduce results using the same transparent methods as designers.
Identify inconsistencies automatically and review assumptions efficiently.
Build confidence through a shared, traceable evidence base.
Researchers & Educators
Academics, students, and institutions advancing the science of fire engineering.
Use an open, testable library to benchmark research and teaching examples.
Contribute new methods and validation datasets.
Bridge academic innovation with real-world design tools.
Frequently asked questions
Is OpenFire really free?
Yes, and it always will be. OpenFire is fully open source under the MIT License, meaning anyone can download, use, and build on it without restrictions. Our goal is to remove barriers to access and create a common, transparent foundation for fire science and engineering.What is OpenFire used for?
OpenFire provides a verified, peer-referenced library of equations and methods used in fire science and engineering. It allows anyone to perform transparent, traceable calculations using tested models. No black boxes, no hidden assumptions.How can I contribute or get involved?
We're building a global community of engineers, researchers, and reviewers who share our mission to make fire engineering open and reliable. You can contribute by validating equations, suggesting new methods, testing releases, or joining discussions. If you'd like to volunteer or collaborate, please get in touch. We'd love to hear from you.What's the difference between OpenFire and OpenFire Desktop?
OpenFire is the free, open-source engine. OpenFire Desktop is our professional version, a subscription-based interface that offers advanced features such as detailed documentation, AI-assisted workflows, and data visualisation.
How much does OpenFire Desktop cost?
OpenFire Desktop is offered through an affordable subscription model, designed to support both individuals and teams. It adds immense value by saving time, improving traceability, and providing instant access to validated fire-science methods. Pricing will be announced soon.What is the Python API for?
The Python API lets you integrate OpenFire directly into your own tools, models, and workflows. It's perfect for automation, validation, or creating custom engineering applications based on the same transparent core engine.How often are new methods and equations added?
We are constantly expanding OpenFire. Fire engineering is a broad field, and our mission is to include as many validated, peer-reviewed methods as possible. If there's a method or equation you'd like to see added, let us know. We prioritise based on community feedback.Who maintains OpenFire and OpenFire Desktop?
Both are developed and maintained by Emberon Tech Ltd, a technology company based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Our team combines expertise in fire safety engineering and software development to create tools that accelerate, strengthen, and democratise engineering knowledge.
Get in Touch
We're building something bigger than software, a shared, open foundation for fire science and engineering.
Your feedback, ideas, and contributions help us move faster and make OpenFire better for everyone. If you have questions, suggestions, or want to get involved, we'd love to hear from you. You can contact us directly or share your thoughts through our open feedback form here.