Fire-Rated Noticeboards for Corridors and Escape Routes: A Specifier's Checklist

by Paul Howe

Fire-Rated Noticeboards for Corridors and Escape Routes: A Specifier's Checklist

Corridors, stairwells and entrance lobbies are where noticeboards do the most work, and where fire safety expectations are highest. If you are specifying boards for a school, university, healthcare setting or public building, this checklist covers what to ask for and what to check before you sign anything off.

Why corridors and escape routes are different

In a classroom, a noticeboard is a display surface. In a corridor or stairwell that forms part of an escape route, the same board is a wall surface that could contribute to the spread of fire. That is why surfaces in these areas are expected to meet a recognised reaction-to-fire classification, rather than simply being described as "flame retardant".

The exact requirements depend on the building, its use and its fire strategy, so your fire risk assessor and the current editions of Approved Document B and, for schools, BB100 are the final word. [Verify wording against current guidance before publishing.] What this checklist does is help you ask the right questions of a supplier.

The standard to look for: BS EN 13501-1

BS EN 13501-1 is the European standard that classifies how building products react to fire. For noticeboards, the classification you will see most often is Class B-s2, d0:

  • B means a very limited contribution to fire.
  • s2 is the smoke production rating.
  • d0 means no flaming droplets or particles.

Our Eco-Sound® Blazemaster® fire-retardant noticeboards are classified to BS EN 13501-1 Class B-s2, d0. For a deeper explanation of the letters and numbers, see our guide to what BS EN 13501-1 fire ratings actually mean for display boards.

The specifier's checklist

  1. Confirm the location type with your fire risk assessor. Corridors, stairwells, lobbies and escape routes are the usual places where a fire-rated board is required.
  2. Ask for the classification in BS EN 13501-1 terms. A classification expressed as a full class (for example B-s2, d0) is clearer than a general description of the fabric.
  3. Check that the rating covers the whole board. Fire-retardant fabric on its own does not mean the finished board is rated. Ask whether the classification applies to the complete construction: surface, backing and any frame.
  4. Request the test report or certificate, and check it matches the product. The product name, construction and classification should line up with what you are buying.
  5. Watch for older or superseded references. Some product pages still quote older British Standards. Ask for the current European classification.
  6. Decide between open and lockable. Where boards can be reached by the public or by pupils unsupervised, a lockable or tamperproof board keeps notices secure. Our guide to open display vs lockable fire-rated noticeboards walks through the choice.
  7. Think about how much wall the boards will cover. A fire risk assessor may want to limit the proportion of a corridor wall given over to display. Plan board sizes and numbers with this in mind.
  8. Check fixings and substrate. Make sure the fixing method suits the wall construction.
  9. Collect documentation for handover. Keep certificates and product data with your building records.
  10. Agree a display policy. What is pinned to the board matters too. Many schools set rules on how much paper and material can be displayed in escape routes.

Where fire-rated boards are typically specified

  • Corridors and circulation routes
  • Stairwells and protected stairways
  • Entrance halls, lobbies and reception areas
  • Any space the fire strategy defines as an escape route

In ordinary classrooms, standard boards are often acceptable, but many organisations specify fire-rated boards throughout for simplicity and consistency. Your assessor can confirm what applies to your building.

What we supply

Adboards is a family-owned manufacturer based in Bolton, making display products since 1982. Our fire-rated range includes framed, unframed and lockable or tamperproof options, and we supply schools, universities, healthcare settings, contractors and trade resellers across the UK and Ireland. 

FAQs

Do corridor noticeboards have to be fire-rated?

In most schools and public buildings, boards in corridors and escape routes are specified as fire-rated. Always confirm with your fire risk assessor, as requirements depend on the building.

What does Class B-s2, d0 mean on a noticeboard?

It is the BS EN 13501-1 reaction-to-fire classification. Class B indicates very limited contribution to fire, s2 relates to smoke production, and d0 means no flaming droplets.

Is fire-retardant fabric enough on its own?

No. The classification should cover the whole finished board, not only the surface fabric.

Can I get fire-rated boards that lock?

Yes. Our fire-rated range includes lockable and tamperproof boards for areas where notices need to be protected.

Need help specifying boards for a project? Call 01204 395 730 or email sales@adboards.com and our UK-based team will help.

 

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