Media type: E-Article Title: Fire behaviour of timber surfaces with perforations Contributor: Frangi, Andrea; Fontana, Mario; Schleifer, Vanessa imprint: Wiley, 2005 Published in: Fire and Materials Language: English DOI: 10.1002/fam.872 ISSN: 0308-0501; 1099-1018 Keywords: Metals and Alloys ; Polymers and Plastics ; General Chemistry ; Ceramics and Composites ; Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials Origination: Footnote: Description: <jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Timber surfaces with perforations are unfavourable from a fire design point of view, since the perforations increase the surface area exposed to fire and facilitate an increased penetration of heat into the burning zone. This can lead to an increased burning rate in comparison with heavy timber surfaces. In order to enlarge the theoretical and experimental background of the fire behaviour of timber surfaces with perforations, a series of fire tests was performed on timber assemblies made of hollow core elements with acoustic perforations and sound absorbers placed behind the perforated acoustic layer. This type of element is commonly used to improve ceiling sound absorption.</jats:p><jats:p>The first part of the paper describes the results of the fire tests, in the second part a simplified calculation model for the burning rate is presented and compared with the test results. The model takes into account two different charring phases, before and after the perforated acoustic layer is completely charred. Good agreement between the test results and prediction of the calculation model is observed. Further the fire tests clearly showed that the charring rate during the first phase is mainly influenced by the size and the position of the perforations as well as the thickness of the perforated acoustic layer. A correlation between the charring rate and these parameters is also presented and compared with the test results. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.</jats:p>