OpenFire Desktop
80+ verified fire-engineering methods in one professional workspace.
Run full calculation sheets, export polished PDFs, and chain methods together into projects with shared parameters, all in a single desktop app built for fire engineers, reviewers and design teams.
Also available as a free and open-source Python library learn more →
What is OpenFire Desktop?
OpenFire Desktop is a professional application for fire engineers, reviewers and design teams who need robust, defensible fire-safety calculations in day-to-day practice. Over 80 verified Fire Engineering Methods are available free of charge, with full calculation sheets and a workspace built for real design and review.
Upgrade to OpenFire Plus to unlock PDF exports, additional solvers, graphing, and Projects. Projects link methods together so the output of one calculation feeds directly into the next, with shared parameters that update everywhere they're used. Change a value in one place and the whole project stays consistent.
Everything you need for fire-engineering practice
Built for everyday design and review work. Free gets you the methods and calculation sheets. Plus adds PDF exports, solvers, graphing and project-based workflows.
80+ Fire Engineering Methods
A growing library of verified, peer-referenced methods covering the core of everyday fire-engineering practice. All free of charge.
Full Calculation Sheets
Structured sheets with inputs, assumptions, limitations and results laid out clearly, ready for review and defensible in practice.
PDF Exports
Plus unlocks clean, branded PDF exports that preserve every input, assumption and reference, ready to share with clients, peers and regulators.
Additional Solvers & Graphing
Plus unlocks extra solvers and built-in graphing so you can explore sensitivities, iterate faster and visualise results without leaving the app.
Projects
Link methods together into projects so the output of one calculation feeds straight into the next, giving full traceability from assumption to conclusion.
Shared Parameters
Define a parameter once and reuse it across a whole project. Change a value in one place and every dependent calculation updates instantly.
See OpenFire Desktop in action
A quick tour of the workspace, from picking a method to exporting a defensible calculation sheet.
Search 80+ verified fire-engineering methods in seconds. References, scope and assumptions are right there, so you pick the correct model with confidence.
Pricing
Start free with full access to 80+ Fire Engineering Methods. Upgrade to OpenFire Plus when you need solvers, graphing, and project-based workflows.
Free
£0/month
Full access to every method, with calculation sheets built in. Always free.
Download for freeOpenFire Plus
Everything in Free, plus PDF exports, additional solvers, graphing, Projects with shared parameters, and priority support. 15-day free trial.
Start 15-day free trialCompare plans
Everything in Free, and then some.
| Feature | Free | Plus |
|---|---|---|
| 80+ Fire Engineering Methods | ||
| Full Calculation Sheets | ||
| PDF Exports | ||
| Additional Solvers | ||
| Graphing | ||
| Projects (method chaining) | ||
| Shared parameters | ||
| Priority support |
Who It's For
OpenFire and OpenFire Desktop support everyone involved in making buildings safer and more transparent, 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.
Why 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.
OpenFire is also open source
OpenFire Desktop is built on top of OpenFire, a free, open-source library of verified fire-science and fire-engineering equations. Every method in the desktop app comes from the same transparent engine that anyone can read, review and improve.
The library ships with a Python API, so researchers, consultants and regulators can integrate the same methods directly into their own tools and workflows, or contribute back to the shared foundation.
Join Our Community
Connect with fire engineers, researchers, and developers building the future of fire science.
Our Discord community is where ideas spark, questions get answered, and collaborations begin. Whether you're sharing research, discussing OpenFire features, or looking for project partners, you'll find an engaged community ready to help.
Frequently asked questions
What's included in the Free tier vs OpenFire Plus?
The Free tier of OpenFire Desktop gives you full access to all 80+ Fire Engineering Methods and full calculation sheets, free forever. OpenFire Plus adds PDF exports, additional solvers, graphing, Projects (linking methods together with shared parameters), and priority support.How much does OpenFire Plus cost?
OpenFire Plus costs £20 per month and includes a 15-day free trial. No credit card is required to start.Can I chain methods together into a project?
Yes. With OpenFire Plus, Projects let you link methods so the output of one calculation feeds directly into the next. Shared parameters mean a single value can be used across many methods: update it in one place and every dependent calculation updates with it.How do PDF exports work?
OpenFire Plus lets you export any calculation sheet as a polished PDF, preserving inputs, assumptions, limitations, intermediate steps and references. PDFs are ready to drop straight into a design report, review pack or client submission.
Is OpenFire Desktop still based on the open-source library?
Yes. Every method in OpenFire Desktop comes from the OpenFire open-source library (MIT-licensed). You can always read, audit and reuse the underlying calculations via the Python API. The desktop app is the professional workspace built on top of that shared, transparent foundation.How often are new methods added?
We are constantly expanding OpenFire. Fire engineering is a broad field, and our goal is to include as many validated, peer-reviewed methods as possible. If there's a method you'd like to see, let us know. We prioritise based on community feedback.What is the Python API for?
The Python API lets you call OpenFire methods directly from your own scripts, notebooks and tools. It's ideal for automation, validation and research workflows that sit alongside day-to-day use of OpenFire Desktop.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. If you want to try OpenFire Desktop, you can create an account and download it here. Drop us a line at info@openfiresoftware.com, or join our Discord community to chat with the team and fellow users.