Exploring systems thinking and system dynamics in fire safety engineering: A literature review

Abstract

The increasing complexity in the Fire Safety Engineering (FSE) field requires the adoption of risk assessment and safety management methods which address such complex behavior. In this context, complexity refers to systems of multiple interacting components where non-linear and adaptive relationships generate emergent behaviors, i.e., outcomes that cannot be anticipated solely by examining the individual parts. Systems Thinking (ST), including tools such as System Archetypes, Causal Loop Diagrams, and System Dynamics (SD) modeling, offers a holistic framework to address these challenges. This article presents a literature review on the application of ST and SD in FSE, focusing on its use in enhancing fire safety for buildings and infrastructures by identifying key trends, methodologies, challenges, and future research directions. A six-stage framework is adopted for the literature review which examines the development of ST in FSE. In total 35 studies were found as relevant for the FSE field due to their application of at least one ST tool. However, challenges such as the complexity of modeling large-scale systems, the need for high-quality data, and the integration of SD with other fire safety engineering methods remain. Overall, this review underscores the value of ST as a powerful tool for addressing the complexities of FSE, testing the effectiveness of different safety measures, and improving risk assessment in various environments, while highlighting that its potential usage has not been fully developed yet.