Fire retardant notice boards are an important option when considering the fire safety of your school. These specialist boards are made from materials and chemicals that resist ignition or slow down the spread of fire. Although school fires are rare, fire safety is incredibly important due to the high number of pupils and staff in buildings. Installing flame-resistant notice boards in key areas could be a lifesaver. We have produced this guide to explore the role of flame-resistant notice boards, the different types available, and where they should be used.
Why Are Fire Retardant Notice Boards Required in Schools?
Fire retardant notice boards are important in schools due to the high density of people in school buildings and the associated high risk in case of fire. In the event of a fire, these notice boards can help slow down the spread of flames, giving extra time to get all students and staff safely out of the building. As such, there are two main reasons why fire retardant notice boards should be used in schools:
Enhanced Safety: Schools are environments with large numbers of people in a relatively small space. Fires in large non-enclosed areas such as corridors and communal areas can be particularly serious, spreading quickly and shutting off exit routed. Fire retardant notice boards help to contain fires and slow down the spread of flames, giving students and staff more time to evacuate.
Compliance with Government Fire Safety Regulations: All schools are required to carry out risk assessments and meet strict fire safety regulations. Using flame-resistant notice boards ensures your school meets these important standards, especially in high-risk areas like corridors, escape routes, and unsupervised areas.
Where Should Fire Retardant Notice Boards Be Installed?
There are certain areas of schools where fire retardant notice boards are particularly important:
Corridors and Escape Routes: The open nature of corridors means a fire could spread rapidly. Fire retardant materials are also vital for escape routes so that exits do not become blocked in the event of a fire.
Large Unsupervised Areas: Fires can spread quickly in large spaces such as assembly halls, libraries, and cafeterias. Installing fire retardant boards in these areas can reduce the risk of a fire starting and spreading quickly.
Classrooms and Offices: Using flame-resistant boards in classrooms and staff offices, while not always required, helps reduce the fire risk level of a school.
Understanding Fire Ratings
All fire retardant notice boards are thoroughly tested and given a fire rating. The British Standard BS 476 and European rating BS EN 13501 are currently used the UK. Head over to the GOV UK website to find out more about the shift in fire classification rating.
The BS system rates products from Class 0 to Class 4, with Class 0 being the highest and safest rating. Class 0 boards are ideal for the highest risk areas in schools. The BS EN system classifies products from Class A to Class F, with class A being the highest (safest). Our fire retardant notice boards offer among the highest safety ratings available on the market.
Types of Flame-Resistant Notice Boards
As well as a notice board’s fire rating there are a number of other factors to consider:
Frame Options: Notice boards are available with various aluminium and wood-effect frames, as well as frame-less options. Frames are constructed with both safety and style in mind.
Size and Colour: Fire retardant notice boards are available in a wide range of dimensions. Generally they range from 600 x 900mm up to 1200 x 2400mm to fit in any space. There is also a fantastic variety of bright colours to choose from for the notice board surface material.
Lockable/Tamperproof Boards: Notice boards can have lockable doors to protect the contents from being removed or tampered with. We also supply models with sliding or hinging covers to protect important information.
Summary
Fire retardant notice boards for schools can form an important part of a fire safety plan. By using these boards in high-risk areas, schools can reduce the risk of fires starting and the speed with which they spread. Alongside ensuring your school’s compliance with fire safety regulations, our fire retardant notice boards offer excellent levels of durability, functionality, and an attractive appearance.
View our extended range of school fire retardant furniture to ensure safety compliance and protect every individual on your premises.
