A solution for a fire-rated wall or ceiling panel would be Potters' range of AMF Heradesign. The product is versatile and easily installed as a suspended ceiling within a grid system, screw mounted to the ceiling, hung as clouds, rafts or baffles and can also be direct fixed as wall panels.

AMF Heradesign panels have been independently tested to meet NZBC requirements and awarded a Group 1-S classification when tested to ISO 5660 Part 1: Heat release rate and Part 2: Smoke production rate. Recently another layer of protection has been achieved with a Group 1 classification when tested to ISO 9705 — A Full Scale Room Test.

During the latest test Heradesign panels were acclimatised in a temperature and humidity-controlled chamber prior to installation. Panels were then installed as a ‘worst case’ simulation using 15mm thick panels with coarse texture and a cavity to the rear. The testing engineer chose T-grid installation for the ceiling.

The panels were subjected to 20-minutes of intense flames from a fuel source in the corner of the room. At the conclusion of the test, the panels had not exhibited a flashover and were awarded the Group 1 classification. View the test report here

Heradesign is also a popular choice for specifiers and designers looking to produce an environmentally friendly aesthetic. Heradesign ticks all the green boxes, being manufactured from sustainable wood-wool sourced from PEFC and FSC certified forests.

Before specifying wood wool panels, Potters urges all construction-industry professionals to request evidence of testing to meet industry requirements as not all wood wool panels are created equally.