AMF-Mineralplatten of Germany, one of the Europe's leading producers of functional ceilings, says its Thermatex mineral fibre ceiling can take the heat in sensitive areas such as when complementing a timber floor assembly.

These ceiling tiles have proved to be fire resistant under tests carried out at the UK's Warrington Fire Research Centre (WFRC) earlier this year.

Elaborating on these tests, a spokesman for the company says: ''A timber floor assembly protected by AMF Thermatex mineral ceiling tiles in a fire-rated exposed grid system was subjected to a fire-resistance test in accordance with BS476:Part 21:1987, Clause 7.

''The specimen satisfied the performance criteria for 72 minutes with respect to loadbearing capacity, integrity and insulation as certified by the Warrington Fire Research Centre Report No. 117523 dated July 16, 2001.

''The timber floor assembly comprised 19-mm-thick softwood floor boards with a 3 mm hardboard covering, nailed to softwood joists measuring 225 by 47 mm.

''The ceiling tiles used were AMF Thermatex mineral wool, size 600 by 600 by 15 mm, with a recessed edge (VT) detail. All tiles were installed in the fire-rated exposed grid system without hold-down clips.

''The fire-rated grid was installed with main runners at 1,200 mm centres which were then generally suspended from the timber joints at 1,200 mm centres.

''A 600 by 600 mm light-fitting was incorporated into the ceiling and protected by an AMF fire-resistant light box.''

Other tests carried out at WFRC have also confirmed the performance charateristics of these ceiling tiles used in conjunction with a range of building components (see table).

AMF products have undergone international tests in European countries, China and the US, he says. Test reports are available upon request.

The AMF Thermatex range of mineral wool ceiling tiles offers a wide choice of face patterns and designs with or without perforations.

AMF, an ISO 9001- certified company, has recently opened a representative office in Dubai, UAE.