ENH: allow delayed construction of regionFaModel in volume bcs (#3419)

Ideally wish to delay construction of the finite-area mesh until
  updateCoeffs(), when it is actually needed.

  This helps avoid difficult to trace errors and avoids inadvertent
  parallel communication during construction from a dictionary.

  However, lazy evaluation fails at the later stage while attempting
  to load the corresponding initial fields, since the timeIndex has
  already advanced.

  Use the newly introduced regionModels::allowFaModels() switch
  to locally enable or disable lazy evaluation as needed.

  This allows selective disabling (eg, in post-processing utilities)
  where loading the volume field should not activate the associated
  regionFaModel and loading a finite-area mesh too (which may not
  exist or be defined at that point).

applications/utilities/parallelProcessing/decomposePar/decomposePar.C

@@ -418,8 +418,14 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
     // Allow explicit -constant, have zero from time range
     timeSelector::addOptions(true, false);  // constant(true), zero(false)
 
+    // Prevent volume BCs from triggering finite-area
+    regionModels::allowFaModels(false);
+
     #include "setRootCase.H"
 
+    // ------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    // Configuration
+
     const bool writeCellDist    = args.found("cellDist");
 
     // Most of these are ignored for dry-run (not triggered anywhere)

applications/utilities/parallelProcessing/reconstructPar/reconstructPar.C

@@ -135,9 +135,14 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
         "Only reconstruct new times (i.e. that do not exist already)"
     );
 
+    // Prevent volume BCs from triggering finite-area
+    regionModels::allowFaModels(false);
+
     #include "setRootCase.H"
     #include "createTime.H"
 
+    // ------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    // Configuration
 
     const bool doFields = !args.found("no-fields");
     wordRes selectedFields;

applications/utilities/parallelProcessing/reconstructParMesh/reconstructParMesh.C

@@ -780,11 +780,17 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 
     #include "addAllRegionOptions.H"
 
+    // Prevent volume BCs from triggering finite-area
+    regionModels::allowFaModels(false);
+
     #include "setRootCase.H"
     #include "createTime.H"
 
     printWarning();
 
+    // ------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    // Configuration
+
     const bool fullMatch = args.found("fullMatch");
     const bool procMatch = args.found("procMatch");
     const bool writeCellDist = args.found("cellDist");

applications/utilities/parallelProcessing/redistributePar/redistributePar.C

@@ -1257,6 +1257,8 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
         true  // Advanced option
     );
 
+    // Prevent volume BCs from triggering finite-area
+    regionModels::allowFaModels(false);
 
     //- Disable caching of times/processor dirs etc. Cause massive parallel
     //  problems when e.g decomposing.
@@ -1269,6 +1271,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 
     argList args(argc, argv);
 
+    // ------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
     // As much as possible avoid synchronised operation. To be looked at more
     // closely for the three scenarios:

applications/utilities/postProcessing/dataConversion/foamToEnsight/foamToEnsight.C

@@ -323,6 +323,9 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
     );
     argList::addOptionCompat("cellZones", {"cellZone", 1912});
 
+    // Prevent volume BCs from triggering finite-area
+    regionModels::allowFaModels(false);
+
     #include "setRootCase.H"
 
     // ------------------------------------------------------------------------

applications/utilities/postProcessing/dataConversion/foamToVTK/foamToVTK.C

@@ -479,8 +479,14 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
         "Directory name for VTK output (default: 'VTK')"
     );
 
+    // Prevent volume BCs from triggering finite-area
+    regionModels::allowFaModels(false);
+
     #include "setRootCase.H"
 
+    // ------------------------------------------------------------------------
+    // Configuration
+
     /// const int optVerbose = args.verbose();
     const bool decomposePoly = args.found("poly-decomp");
     const bool doBoundary    = !args.found("no-boundary");

src/regionFaModels/derivedFvPatchFields/filmShell/velocityFilmShellFvPatchVectorField.C

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
     \\  /    A nd           | www.openfoam.com
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-    Copyright (C) 2020-2022 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2020-2025 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ License
 
 #include "velocityFilmShellFvPatchVectorField.H"
 #include "dictionaryContent.H"
+#include "regionProperties.H"
 #include "addToRunTimeSelectionTable.H"
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
@@ -34,6 +35,20 @@ License
 namespace Foam
 {
 
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * Private Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+void velocityFilmShellFvPatchVectorField::create_baffle()
+{
+    if (!baffle_)
+    {
+        baffle_.reset
+        (
+            baffleType::New(this->patch().boundaryMesh().mesh(), dict_)
+        );
+    }
+}
+
+
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Constructors  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
 velocityFilmShellFvPatchVectorField::velocityFilmShellFvPatchVectorField
@@ -42,8 +57,7 @@ velocityFilmShellFvPatchVectorField::velocityFilmShellFvPatchVectorField
     const DimensionedField<vector, volMesh>& iF
 )
 :
-    mixedFvPatchField<vector>(p, iF),
-    baffle_(nullptr),
+    parent_bctype(p, iF),
     dict_(),
     curTimeIndex_(-1),
     zeroWallVelocity_(true)
@@ -62,14 +76,7 @@ velocityFilmShellFvPatchVectorField::velocityFilmShellFvPatchVectorField
     const fvPatchFieldMapper& mapper
 )
 :
-    mixedFvPatchField<vector>
-    (
-        ptf,
-        p,
-        iF,
-        mapper
-    ),
-    baffle_(nullptr),
+    parent_bctype(ptf, p, iF, mapper),
     dict_(ptf.dict_),
     curTimeIndex_(-1),
     zeroWallVelocity_(true)
@@ -83,8 +90,7 @@ velocityFilmShellFvPatchVectorField::velocityFilmShellFvPatchVectorField
     const dictionary& dict
 )
 :
-    mixedFvPatchField<vector>(p, iF),
-    baffle_(nullptr),
+    parent_bctype(p, iF),
     dict_
     (
         // Copy dictionary, but without "heavy" data chunks
@@ -116,9 +122,11 @@ velocityFilmShellFvPatchVectorField::velocityFilmShellFvPatchVectorField
         valueFraction() = 1;
     }
 
-    if (!baffle_)
+    // Create baffle now.
+    // Lazy evaluation has issues with loading the finite-area fields
+    if (regionModels::allowFaModels())
     {
-        baffle_.reset(baffleType::New(p.boundaryMesh().mesh(), dict_));
+        create_baffle();
     }
 }
 
@@ -129,8 +137,7 @@ velocityFilmShellFvPatchVectorField::velocityFilmShellFvPatchVectorField
     const DimensionedField<vector, volMesh>& iF
 )
 :
-    mixedFvPatchField<vector>(ptf, iF),
-    baffle_(nullptr),
+    parent_bctype(ptf, iF),
     dict_(ptf.dict_),
     curTimeIndex_(-1),
     zeroWallVelocity_(true)
@@ -146,14 +153,22 @@ void velocityFilmShellFvPatchVectorField::updateCoeffs()
         return;
     }
 
+    // Create baffle if needed
+    if (!baffle_)
+    {
+        create_baffle();
+    }
+
     // Execute the change only once per time-step
     if (curTimeIndex_ != this->db().time().timeIndex())
     {
-        baffle_->evolve();
-
         vectorField& pfld = *this;
 
-        baffle_->vsm().mapToVolumePatch(baffle_->Us(), pfld, patch().index());
+        auto& baffle = baffle_();
+
+        baffle.evolve();
+
+        baffle.vsm().mapToVolumePatch(baffle.Us(), pfld, patch().index());
 
         refGrad() = Zero;
         valueFraction() = 1;
@@ -170,13 +185,13 @@ void velocityFilmShellFvPatchVectorField::updateCoeffs()
         curTimeIndex_ = this->db().time().timeIndex();
     }
 
-    mixedFvPatchField<vector>::updateCoeffs();
+    parent_bctype::updateCoeffs();
 }
 
 
 void velocityFilmShellFvPatchVectorField::write(Ostream& os) const
 {
-    mixedFvPatchField<vector>::write(os);
+    parent_bctype::write(os);
     dict_.write(os, false);
 }
 

src/regionFaModels/derivedFvPatchFields/filmShell/velocityFilmShellFvPatchVectorField.H

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
     \\  /    A nd           | www.openfoam.com
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-    Copyright (C) 2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2020-2025 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -134,15 +134,15 @@ class velocityFilmShellFvPatchVectorField
 {
     // Typedefs
 
+        //- The parent boundary condition type
+        typedef mixedFvPatchField<vector> parent_bctype;
+
         //- The finite-area region model
         typedef regionModels::areaSurfaceFilmModels::liquidFilmBase baffleType;
 
 
     // Private Data
 
-        //- The liquid film model
-        autoPtr<baffleType> baffle_;
-
         //- Dictionary
         mutable dictionary dict_;
 
@@ -152,6 +152,15 @@ class velocityFilmShellFvPatchVectorField
         //- Flag to set velocity to zero or film velocity
         bool zeroWallVelocity_;
 
+        //- The liquid film model
+        autoPtr<baffleType> baffle_;
+
+
+    // Private Methods
+
+        //- Create film baffle (if required)
+        void create_baffle();
+
 
 public:
 
@@ -186,13 +195,23 @@ public:
             const fvPatchFieldMapper&
         );
 
-        //- Construct as copy setting internal field reference
+        //- Copy construct with internal field reference
         velocityFilmShellFvPatchVectorField
         (
-            const velocityFilmShellFvPatchVectorField&,
-            const DimensionedField<vector, volMesh>&
+            const velocityFilmShellFvPatchVectorField& pfld,
+            const DimensionedField<vector, volMesh>& iF
         );
 
+        //- Copy construct
+        velocityFilmShellFvPatchVectorField
+        (
+            const velocityFilmShellFvPatchVectorField& pfld
+        )
+        :
+            velocityFilmShellFvPatchVectorField(pfld, pfld.internalField())
+        {}
+
+
         //- Return a clone
         virtual tmp<fvPatchField<vector>> clone() const
         {

src/regionFaModels/derivedFvPatchFields/thermalShell/thermalShellFvPatchScalarField.C

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
     \\  /    A nd           | www.openfoam.com
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-    Copyright (C) 2019-2022 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2019-2025 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -26,8 +26,9 @@ License
 \*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 
 #include "thermalShellFvPatchScalarField.H"
-#include "addToRunTimeSelectionTable.H"
 #include "dictionaryContent.H"
+#include "regionProperties.H"
+#include "addToRunTimeSelectionTable.H"
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
@@ -36,6 +37,20 @@ namespace Foam
 namespace compressible
 {
 
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * Private Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+void thermalShellFvPatchScalarField::create_baffle()
+{
+    if (!baffle_)
+    {
+        baffle_.reset
+        (
+            baffleType::New(this->patch().boundaryMesh().mesh(), dict_)
+        );
+    }
+}
+
+
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Constructors  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
 thermalShellFvPatchScalarField::thermalShellFvPatchScalarField
@@ -44,8 +59,7 @@ thermalShellFvPatchScalarField::thermalShellFvPatchScalarField
     const DimensionedField<scalar, volMesh>& iF
 )
 :
-    fixedValueFvPatchField<scalar>(p, iF),
-    baffle_(nullptr),
+    parent_bctype(p, iF),
     dict_()
 {}
 
@@ -58,14 +72,7 @@ thermalShellFvPatchScalarField::thermalShellFvPatchScalarField
     const fvPatchFieldMapper& mapper
 )
 :
-    fixedValueFvPatchField<scalar>
-    (
-        ptf,
-        p,
-        iF,
-        mapper
-    ),
-    baffle_(nullptr),
+    parent_bctype(ptf, p, iF, mapper),
     dict_(ptf.dict_)
 {}
 
@@ -77,8 +84,7 @@ thermalShellFvPatchScalarField::thermalShellFvPatchScalarField
     const dictionary& dict
 )
 :
-    fixedValueFvPatchField<scalar>(p, iF, dict),
-    baffle_(nullptr),
+    parent_bctype(p, iF, dict),
     dict_
     (
         // Copy dictionary, but without "heavy" data chunks
@@ -94,9 +100,11 @@ thermalShellFvPatchScalarField::thermalShellFvPatchScalarField
         )
     )
 {
-    if (!baffle_)
+    // Create baffle now.
+    // Lazy evaluation has issues with loading the finite-area fields
+    if (regionModels::allowFaModels())
     {
-        baffle_.reset(baffleType::New(p.boundaryMesh().mesh(), dict_));
+        create_baffle();
     }
 }
 
@@ -107,8 +115,7 @@ thermalShellFvPatchScalarField::thermalShellFvPatchScalarField
     const DimensionedField<scalar, volMesh>& iF
 )
 :
-    fixedValueFvPatchField<scalar>(ptf, iF),
-    baffle_(nullptr),
+    parent_bctype(ptf, iF),
     dict_(ptf.dict_)
 {}
 
@@ -122,19 +129,27 @@ void thermalShellFvPatchScalarField::updateCoeffs()
         return;
     }
 
-    baffle_->evolve();
-
     scalarField& pfld = *this;
 
-    baffle_->vsm().mapToVolumePatch(baffle_->T(), pfld, patch().index());
+    // Create baffle if needed
+    if (!baffle_)
+    {
+        create_baffle();
+    }
 
-    fixedValueFvPatchField<scalar>::updateCoeffs();
+    auto& baffle = baffle_();
+
+    baffle.evolve();
+
+    baffle.vsm().mapToVolumePatch(baffle.T(), pfld, patch().index());
+
+    parent_bctype::updateCoeffs();
 }
 
 
 void thermalShellFvPatchScalarField::write(Ostream& os) const
 {
-    fixedValueFvPatchField<scalar>::write(os);
+    parent_bctype::write(os);
     dict_.write(os, false);
 }
 

src/regionFaModels/derivedFvPatchFields/thermalShell/thermalShellFvPatchScalarField.H

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
     \\  /    A nd           | www.openfoam.com
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-    Copyright (C) 2019-2022 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2019-2025 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -91,17 +91,26 @@ class thermalShellFvPatchScalarField
 {
     // Typedefs
 
+        //- The parent boundary condition type
+        typedef fixedValueFvPatchField<scalar> parent_bctype;
+
         //- The finite-area region model
         typedef regionModels::thermalShellModel baffleType;
 
 
     // Private Data
 
+        //- Dictionary
+        dictionary dict_;
+
         //- The thermal baffle
         autoPtr<baffleType> baffle_;
 
-        //- Dictionary
-        dictionary dict_;
+
+    // Private Methods
+
+        //- Create thermal baffle (if required)
+        void create_baffle();
 
 
 public:
@@ -137,13 +146,23 @@ public:
             const fvPatchFieldMapper&
         );
 
-        //- Construct as copy setting internal field reference
+        //- Copy construct with internal field reference
         thermalShellFvPatchScalarField
         (
-            const thermalShellFvPatchScalarField&,
-            const DimensionedField<scalar, volMesh>&
+            const thermalShellFvPatchScalarField& pfld,
+            const DimensionedField<scalar, volMesh>& iF
         );
 
+        //- Copy construct
+        thermalShellFvPatchScalarField
+        (
+            const thermalShellFvPatchScalarField& pfld
+        )
+        :
+            thermalShellFvPatchScalarField(pfld, pfld.internalField())
+        {}
+
+
         //- Return a clone
         virtual tmp<fvPatchField<scalar>> clone() const
         {

src/regionFaModels/derivedFvPatchFields/vibrationShell/vibrationShellFvPatchScalarField.C

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
     \\  /    A nd           | www.openfoam.com
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-    Copyright (C) 2019-2022 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2019-2025 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ License
 
 #include "vibrationShellFvPatchScalarField.H"
 #include "dictionaryContent.H"
+#include "regionProperties.H"
 #include "addToRunTimeSelectionTable.H"
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
@@ -34,6 +35,20 @@ License
 namespace Foam
 {
 
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * Private Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+void vibrationShellFvPatchScalarField::create_baffle()
+{
+    if (!baffle_)
+    {
+        baffle_.reset
+        (
+            baffleType::New(this->patch().boundaryMesh().mesh(), dict_)
+        );
+    }
+}
+
+
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Constructors  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
 vibrationShellFvPatchScalarField::vibrationShellFvPatchScalarField
@@ -42,8 +57,7 @@ vibrationShellFvPatchScalarField::vibrationShellFvPatchScalarField
     const DimensionedField<scalar, volMesh>& iF
 )
 :
-    mixedFvPatchField<scalar>(p, iF),
-    baffle_(nullptr),
+    parent_bctype(p, iF),
     dict_()
 {
     refValue() = Zero;
@@ -60,14 +74,7 @@ vibrationShellFvPatchScalarField::vibrationShellFvPatchScalarField
     const fvPatchFieldMapper& mapper
 )
 :
-    mixedFvPatchField<scalar>
-    (
-        ptf,
-        p,
-        iF,
-        mapper
-    ),
-    baffle_(nullptr),
+    parent_bctype(ptf, p, iF, mapper),
     dict_(ptf.dict_)
 {}
 
@@ -79,8 +86,7 @@ vibrationShellFvPatchScalarField::vibrationShellFvPatchScalarField
     const dictionary& dict
 )
 :
-    mixedFvPatchField<scalar>(p, iF),
-    baffle_(nullptr),
+    parent_bctype(p, iF),
     dict_
     (
         // Copy dictionary, but without "heavy" data chunks
@@ -110,9 +116,11 @@ vibrationShellFvPatchScalarField::vibrationShellFvPatchScalarField
         valueFraction() = 1;
     }
 
-    if (!baffle_)
+    // Create baffle now.
+    // Lazy evaluation has issues with loading the finite-area fields
+    if (regionModels::allowFaModels())
     {
-        baffle_.reset(baffleType::New(p.boundaryMesh().mesh(), dict_));
+        create_baffle();
     }
 }
 
@@ -123,8 +131,7 @@ vibrationShellFvPatchScalarField::vibrationShellFvPatchScalarField
     const DimensionedField<scalar, volMesh>& iF
 )
 :
-    mixedFvPatchField<scalar>(ptf, iF),
-    baffle_(nullptr),
+    parent_bctype(ptf, iF),
     dict_(ptf.dict_)
 {}
 
@@ -138,31 +145,38 @@ void vibrationShellFvPatchScalarField::updateCoeffs()
         return;
     }
 
+    // Create baffle if needed
+    if (!baffle_)
+    {
+        create_baffle();
+    }
+    auto& baffle = baffle_();
+
     const auto& transportProperties =
         db().lookupObject<IOdictionary>("transportProperties");
 
     dimensionedScalar rho("rho", dimDensity, transportProperties);
 
-    baffle_->evolve();
+    baffle.evolve();
 
     // rho * acceleration
 
     refGrad() = Zero;  // safety (for any unmapped values)
 
-    baffle_->vsm().mapToVolumePatch(baffle_->a(), refGrad(), patch().index());
+    baffle.vsm().mapToVolumePatch(baffle.a(), refGrad(), patch().index());
 
     refGrad() *= rho.value();
 
     refValue() = Zero;
     valueFraction() = Zero;
 
-    mixedFvPatchField<scalar>::updateCoeffs();
+    parent_bctype::updateCoeffs();
 }
 
 
 void vibrationShellFvPatchScalarField::write(Ostream& os) const
 {
-    mixedFvPatchField<scalar>::write(os);
+    parent_bctype::write(os);
     dict_.write(os, false);
 }
 

src/regionFaModels/derivedFvPatchFields/vibrationShell/vibrationShellFvPatchScalarField.H

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
     \\  /    A nd           | www.openfoam.com
      \\/     M anipulation  |
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-    Copyright (C) 2019-2020 OpenCFD Ltd.
+    Copyright (C) 2019-2025 OpenCFD Ltd.
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 License
     This file is part of OpenFOAM.
@@ -82,17 +82,26 @@ class vibrationShellFvPatchScalarField
 {
     // Typedefs
 
+        //- The parent boundary condition type
+        typedef mixedFvPatchField<scalar> parent_bctype;
+
         //- The finite-area region model
         typedef regionModels::vibrationShellModel baffleType;
 
 
     // Private Data
 
+        //- Dictionary
+        dictionary dict_;
+
         //- The vibration shell model
         autoPtr<baffleType> baffle_;
 
-        //- Dictionary
-        dictionary dict_;
+
+    // Private Methods
+
+        //- Create vibration baffle (if required)
+        void create_baffle();
 
 
 public:
@@ -128,13 +137,23 @@ public:
             const fvPatchFieldMapper&
         );
 
-        //- Construct as copy setting internal field reference
+        //- Copy construct with internal field reference
         vibrationShellFvPatchScalarField
         (
-            const vibrationShellFvPatchScalarField&,
-            const DimensionedField<scalar, volMesh>&
+            const vibrationShellFvPatchScalarField& pfld,
+            const DimensionedField<scalar, volMesh>& iF
         );
 
+        //- Copy construct
+        vibrationShellFvPatchScalarField
+        (
+            const vibrationShellFvPatchScalarField& pfld
+        )
+        :
+            vibrationShellFvPatchScalarField(pfld, pfld.internalField())
+        {}
+
+
         //- Return a clone
         virtual tmp<fvPatchField<scalar>> clone() const
         {

src/regionModels/thermalBaffleModels/derivedFvPatchFields/thermalBaffle/thermalBaffleFvPatchScalarField.C

@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ License
 \*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 
 #include "thermalBaffleFvPatchScalarField.H"
+#include "dictionaryContent.H"
 #include "addToRunTimeSelectionTable.H"
 #include "emptyPolyPatch.H"
 #include "mappedWallPolyPatch.H"
@@ -46,12 +47,10 @@ thermalBaffleFvPatchScalarField::thermalBaffleFvPatchScalarField
     const DimensionedField<scalar, volMesh>& iF
 )
 :
-    turbulentTemperatureRadCoupledMixedFvPatchScalarField(p, iF),
+    parent_bctype(p, iF),
     owner_(false),
     internal_(true),
-    baffle_(nullptr),
-    dict_(),
-    extrudeMeshPtr_()
+    dict_()
 {}
 
 
@@ -63,18 +62,10 @@ thermalBaffleFvPatchScalarField::thermalBaffleFvPatchScalarField
     const fvPatchFieldMapper& mapper
 )
 :
-    turbulentTemperatureRadCoupledMixedFvPatchScalarField
-    (
-        ptf,
-        p,
-        iF,
-        mapper
-    ),
+    parent_bctype(ptf, p, iF, mapper),
     owner_(ptf.owner_),
     internal_(ptf.internal_),
-    baffle_(nullptr),
-    dict_(ptf.dict_),
-    extrudeMeshPtr_()
+    dict_(ptf.dict_)
 {}
 
 
@@ -85,12 +76,23 @@ thermalBaffleFvPatchScalarField::thermalBaffleFvPatchScalarField
     const dictionary& dict
 )
 :
-    turbulentTemperatureRadCoupledMixedFvPatchScalarField(p, iF, dict),
+    parent_bctype(p, iF, dict),
     owner_(false),
     internal_(true),
-    baffle_(nullptr),
-    dict_(dict),
-    extrudeMeshPtr_()
+    dict_
+    (
+        // Copy dictionary, but without "heavy" data chunks
+        dictionaryContent::copyDict
+        (
+            dict,
+            wordList(),  // allow
+            wordList     // deny
+            ({
+                "type",  // redundant
+                "value"
+            })
+        )
+    )
 {
 
     const fvMesh& thisMesh = patch().boundaryMesh().mesh();
@@ -104,8 +106,8 @@ thermalBaffleFvPatchScalarField::thermalBaffleFvPatchScalarField
 
     if
     (
-        !thisMesh.time().foundObject<fvMesh>(regionName)
-        && regionName != "none"
+        (regionName != "none")
+     && !thisMesh.time().foundObject<fvMesh>(regionName)
     )
     {
         if (!extrudeMeshPtr_)
@@ -126,12 +128,10 @@ thermalBaffleFvPatchScalarField::thermalBaffleFvPatchScalarField
     const DimensionedField<scalar, volMesh>& iF
 )
 :
-    turbulentTemperatureRadCoupledMixedFvPatchScalarField(ptf, iF),
+    parent_bctype(ptf, iF),
     owner_(ptf.owner_),
     internal_(ptf.internal_),
-    baffle_(nullptr),
-    dict_(ptf.dict_),
-    extrudeMeshPtr_()
+    dict_(ptf.dict_)
 {}
 
 
@@ -309,13 +309,13 @@ void thermalBaffleFvPatchScalarField::updateCoeffs()
         baffle_->evolve();
     }
 
-    turbulentTemperatureRadCoupledMixedFvPatchScalarField::updateCoeffs();
+    parent_bctype::updateCoeffs();
 }
 
 
 void thermalBaffleFvPatchScalarField::write(Ostream& os) const
 {
-    turbulentTemperatureRadCoupledMixedFvPatchScalarField::write(os);
+    parent_bctype::write(os);
 
     if (owner_)
     {

src/regionModels/thermalBaffleModels/derivedFvPatchFields/thermalBaffle/thermalBaffleFvPatchScalarField.H

@@ -203,11 +203,9 @@ SourceFiles
 
 \*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 
-#ifndef thermalBaffleFvPatchScalarField_H
-#define thermalBaffleFvPatchScalarField_H
+#ifndef Foam_thermalBaffleFvPatchScalarField_H
+#define Foam_thermalBaffleFvPatchScalarField_H
 
-
-#include "autoPtr.H"
 #include "regionModel.H"
 #include "thermalBaffleModel.H"
 #include "extrudePatchMesh.H"
@@ -231,6 +229,11 @@ class thermalBaffleFvPatchScalarField
 {
     // Typedefs
 
+        //- The parent boundary condition type
+        typedef
+            turbulentTemperatureRadCoupledMixedFvPatchScalarField
+            parent_bctype;
+
         //- The baffle region model
         typedef
             regionModels::thermalBaffleModels::thermalBaffleModel
@@ -253,12 +256,12 @@ class thermalBaffleFvPatchScalarField
         //- Is the baffle internal
         bool internal_;
 
-        //- Thermal baffle
-        autoPtr<baffleType> baffle_;
-
         //- Dictionary
         dictionary dict_;
 
+        //- Thermal baffle
+        autoPtr<baffleType> baffle_;
+
         //- Auto pointer to extrapolated mesh from patch
         autoPtr<extrudePatchMesh> extrudeMeshPtr_;