Our Blog

17 December 2009 by Mark

Fire Resistant Notice boards – Fire Rated Notice boards – Flame Retardant Notice boards
Do you comply with public area building regulations? Are all the materials in your stairways and corridors in accordance with EN 13501-1 (2007)? Wall mounted notice boards and bulletin boards are commonly used in public buildings as a simple and convenient way of communicating and conveying information. Hospitals, universities and colleges are all common places where noticeboards are a necessity.

Why consider a fire resistant notice board?

Health and safety legislation continues to get ever tighter for public buildings. Public buildings fall under the requirements of the ‘Buildings and Fire Precautions Legislation’. They have to meet specific standards relating to the means of escape in the event of a fire. Included in this legislation is the use of fire doors and fire resistant building materials in order to have an effective fire prevention management strategy. Notice boards are often located in corridors of public buildings, but in the event of a fire open notice boards with lots of paper and notices attached can drastically reduce the protection by fire resistant building materials.

Many public buildings such as universities and colleges follow guidelines regarding notice boards for health and safety reasons. To follow the legislation open type notice boards with lots of attached paper are simply against the law. The paper could easily be ignited in a stair enclosure that would hinder or prevent the use of an escape route. Therefore dead end corridors and protected stairways must comply with class 0 requirements. Where the risk of fire is high all noticeboards must be class 0 fire resistant notice boards.

How can you offset the legal requirements with the need to display information in public corridors?

Fire retardant felt woven notice boards are the solution to complying fully with fire regulations. The highest standard fire rated fabric is used and all showcases have lockable doors for added security. A fire resistant noticeboard allows you to easily display your information but still be fully compliant with the current legislation. When tested to the relevant 2002 European ‘Reaction to Fire’ tests, our notice boards were classified B-SI, d0 according to BS-EN 13501-1. This classification identifies that this product can be used in the same areas as products tested to BS476 Parts 6 and 7 and classified as class 0 according to UK building regulations. If you are serious about fire safety and need to display information safely in public areas, then buy the very best in fire resistant noticeboards from Creative Solutions.

Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007

This act places the burden of responsibility on employers (public and private sector) to ensure that all health and safety issues are managed and implemented.

We strongly recommend that employers don't take risks with items such as notice boards fitted inside a building. For peace of mind always purchase notice boards that are fully fire retardant.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us for free advice.

Freephone 0800 389 3951

- by Mark