Display Solutions for PBSA: Noticeboards, Whiteboards and Common Area Displays for Purpose-Built Student Accommodation

by Paul Howe

Purpose-built student accommodation has been one of the most active sectors in UK construction over the last decade, with new developments consistently prioritising communal amenity, well-designed common areas, and a living environment that feels considered rather than institutional. Display products - noticeboards, whiteboards, acoustic panels, corridor boards - are a small but visible part of that environment and getting the specification right matters more than many PBSA developers and fit-out contractors initially assume.

This guide sets out what to consider when specifying display solutions for PBSA schemes, from fire compliance in corridors and escape routes to the practical requirements of common rooms, laundry areas and entrance lobbies.

Fire Compliance: The Non-Negotiable Starting Point

In any residential building, and particularly in high-occupancy accommodation such as student halls, fire safety is the overriding specification consideration. Under UK fire safety regulations, any display product installed in a corridor, stairwell, or escape route must meet BS EN 13501 Class B fire classification as a minimum - the same standard required in schools, hospitals, and other public buildings.

This applies to noticeboards, pinboards, acoustic panels and any other display surface fixed to a wall in a shared circulation space. A standard cork or felt noticeboard purchased through a general catalogue will not meet this requirement. For PBSA developers and their fit-out contractors, specifying fire-rated products from the outset and obtaining the certification documentation to support building sign-off - avoids costly last-minute substitutions.

Our ECO-Sound® Blazemaster® range is independently tested and certified to BS EN 13501 Class B, with full test documentation available for building control submissions.

Common Areas: Combining Function and Finish

PBSA common rooms, study areas and social spaces need display products that are functional without looking institutional. A cork board with a basic aluminium frame works in a school corridor but can look out of place in a student common room designed to feel more like a co-working space.

Consider:

Framed noticeboards in specification-grade finishes. A classic aluminium-framed noticeboard in a larger size - 120cm x 90cm or 150cm x 120cm - suits common rooms, games rooms, and social areas where residents need to post information, event flyers and notices without the board looking cluttered or dated.

Magnetic whiteboards for study and meeting rooms. Breakout rooms, study pods and bookable meeting spaces benefit from a magnetic whiteboard that allows residents and study groups to write, plan, and display materials without pins or adhesive. A 120cm x 90cm magnetic whiteboard is a practical minimum for a shared study space.

Acoustic boards for noise management. Shared common areas in student accommodation can suffer from poor acoustics - hard surfaces, high ceilings and constant background noise. Acoustic display boards serve two functions simultaneously: absorbing sound and providing a display surface for posters, event notices and community information.

Corridors and Escape Routes: Practical and Compliant

Every floor of a PBSA building typically needs at least one fire-rated noticeboard for essential resident information - fire evacuation procedures, building management contacts, utility information. These boards need to:

  • Meet BS EN 13501 Class B fire classification
  • Be lockable or tamperproof to prevent notices being removed or the board being used for unsanctioned content
  • Be clearly visible without obstructing the escape route

Our tamperproof ECO-Sound® Blazemaster® lockable noticeboards are the standard specification for this application, combining fire compliance with secure, managed display.

Entrance Lobbies and Reception Areas

The entrance lobby sets the tone for residents and visitors. Display products here should look considered and well-maintained:

Snap frames for managed display of building information, local area guides and welcome notices - easy to update without tools and available in standard A-series sizes to fit printed materials without trimming.

Literature holders for prospectuses, local transport information and building guides.

A lockable noticeboard for official building management notices, giving the building operator controlled display without the board becoming a free-for-all pinboard.

Laundry Rooms and Utility Areas

Often overlooked in the display specification, laundry rooms and utility areas benefit from a simple, wipeable whiteboard for resident information - machine instructions, maintenance contact details and general notices that need to be updated frequently. A non-magnetic whiteboard in a smaller size (60cm x 45cm or 90cm x 60cm) is a cost-effective and practical choice.

Bespoke Sizing for Non-Standard Wall Spaces

PBSA buildings rarely have uniform wall dimensions from floor to floor or block to block. A manufacturer who can produce boards to bespoke sizes - rather than only supplying from a fixed catalogue - is a significant practical advantage when fitting out a development where each floor or building phase has slightly different dimensions.

At Adboards, bespoke sizing is standard across the range, with no minimum order requirement for custom sizes.

Procurement for PBSA Developers and Contractors

For developers and contractors working on multiple PBSA schemes, establishing a direct trade account with a UK manufacturer offers consistent pricing, reliable lead times, and a single supplier relationship across projects. We supply PBSA developers, main contractors and FF&E consultants direct and hold framework accreditations with ESPO and Crown Commercial Service for projects where public-sector procurement frameworks apply.

For a project-specific specification guide or trade price list, contact us at sales@adboards.com / 01204 395730.

 

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