Quick answer: Fire-resistant notice boards are notice boards manufactured from materials that meet Class 1 (BS 476 Part 7) or Class B (Euroclass, EN 13501-1) fire ratings. UK fire safety law requires workplaces to display emergency evacuation information prominently; using a fire-rated board means that information stays legible for longer during a fire, giving occupants more time to act. Not all workplaces are legally compelled to use fire-rated boards, but schools, hospitals, care homes, and any building subject to a Fire Risk Assessment recommendation will typically need them.
Class 1 vs Class B fire ratings: what the labels actually mean
Two fire-rating systems appear on notice boards sold in the UK, and they are not interchangeable.
Class 1 (BS 476 Part 7) is the older British Standard. It describes how rapidly a material's surface spreads flame in a test. Class 1 is the best result in a four-point scale (Class 1 being lowest spread, Class 4 being highest). Many legacy building specifications and fire risk assessments still reference Class 1 explicitly, particularly in schools and public-sector buildings.
Class B (Euroclass, EN 13501-1) is the current harmonised European standard, now also adopted in UK Building Regulations as the reference classification. It covers both flame spread and heat contribution. The Euroclass scale runs from A1 (non-combustible) through to F. For internal linings and fittings such as notice boards, Class B is the commonly required threshold in new-build and refurbished commercial premises.
A board labelled Class 1 fire retardant meets the British Standard but has not necessarily been tested to Euroclass. A board labelled Class B meets the current Building Regulations reference. If your fire risk assessor or building control officer specifies one, confirm which standard is required before purchasing. Some products, including several in the Presentation Spaces range, carry both certifications.
Where fire-rated notice boards are required by law
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires the responsible person for any non-domestic premises to carry out a fire risk assessment and act on its findings. That assessment frequently identifies the need to display emergency information, and it also scrutinises the fire performance of materials fixed to walls and corridors.
Specific environments where fire-rated boards are most commonly required or recommended include:
- Schools and colleges -- Building Bulletin BB100 (fire safety design guidance for schools) recommends Class B or Class 1 surface linings in corridors and escape routes. Ofsted inspections and local authority premises checks increasingly note non-compliant materials.
- Hospitals and healthcare premises -- HTM 05 series (Health Technical Memoranda) requires strict control of surface spread of flame throughout clinical and patient areas.
- Care homes and residential facilities -- The Care Quality Commission expects fire risk assessments to be in place and evidenced, and materials in communal areas are included in that scope.
- Offices in managed or multi-occupancy buildings -- Many landlords and managing agents specify Class 1 or Class B linings as a condition of tenancy fit-out. Check your fit-out guide before specifying standard boards in corridors.
- Public-sector buildings -- Central government and local authority estates often have blanket requirements for fire-rated materials on all display surfaces.
If you are unsure whether your premises require fire-rated boards, the starting point is your building's fire risk assessment, or a call to the responsible person (usually your facilities manager or health and safety lead).
What information should go on a fire-rated notice board
The fire-rated material is only half the equation; the information displayed must also be correct, current, and clearly laid out. A well-maintained fire notice board typically includes:
- Evacuation routes and the nearest fire exits from this location
- Assembly point locations, with a floor plan where useful
- Contact details for the Fire Warden(s) and first aider(s)
- Emergency services contact number (999 in the UK)
- Locations of fire extinguishers and fire alarm call points
- Procedure for shutting down essential services in an emergency
- Date of the last fire safety inspection and any outstanding actions
- Details of any hazardous materials or processes on site
Review and update this information at least annually, or whenever evacuation routes, personnel, or building layout changes. Pin documents securely; loose papers that fall to the floor defeat the purpose.
Where to position fire-rated notice boards
Placement matters as much as the board itself. Guidance from fire safety practitioners and the requirements of BS 5499 (safety signs and fire safety notices) points to the following principles:
- Corridors and escape routes are the primary location. Anyone moving through the building during an evacuation will pass through a corridor; they should be able to read key information without backtracking.
- Near fire exits and stairwells -- at each exit point, confirm where the assembly point is for that route.
- Reception and entrance areas -- visitors and contractors who are unfamiliar with the building need this information most.
- Break rooms and staff common areas -- high footfall means high visibility; it also serves as a regular reminder for regular staff.
- Each floor independently in multi-storey buildings. A single board in reception does not satisfy the requirement when occupants on the third floor may have a completely different evacuation route.
Mount boards at eye level, unobstructed by furniture, doors, or other signage. Check that lighting is adequate to read the content at night or in reduced visibility.
Choosing the right fire-rated notice board for your setting
Once you have confirmed the required fire rating and identified the locations, consider:
Size. Larger boards allow more information to be displayed legibly at a distance. A corridor board typically needs to be readable from at least 1.5 metres; map that reading distance to a minimum font size and therefore a minimum board size before you order.
Surface material. Felt-covered boards take standard push-pins and allow rapid, tool-free updates -- important when evacuation procedures change. The Premier Felt Notice Board with aluminium frame carries a Class 1 fire retardant rating and is available in a wide range of sizes suited to both corridor and room installations. The Take Notice FR aluminium-framed notice board also meets Class 1 and offers a clean, professional finish appropriate for client-facing environments.
Frame material. Aluminium frames are the standard for fire-rated installations; they do not contribute fuel to a fire and handle the temperature differentials in a real fire scenario better than plastic surrounds.
Quantity. Budget for one board per floor, per escape route branch, as a starting baseline. Your fire risk assessment may specify more.
Browse the full notice boards collection to compare sizes, surface types, and ratings side by side.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Class 1 fire rated notice board?
A Class 1 fire rated notice board is a board whose surface material has been tested under BS 476 Part 7 and achieved the lowest (best) result for surface spread of flame. Class 1 boards are widely specified in UK schools, offices, and public buildings where fire safety regulations require low-spread-of-flame materials in corridors and communal areas. The rating applies to the felt or fabric surface, not just the frame.
Do notice boards need to be fire rated?
Not always, but in many UK workplaces and public buildings they do. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires a fire risk assessment for all non-domestic premises; that assessment determines whether the materials fixed to walls in escape routes meet the required spread-of-flame standard. Schools, hospitals, care homes, and managed office buildings frequently specify Class 1 or Class B rated boards in corridors and exit routes. If in doubt, check your building's fire risk assessment or ask your facilities manager.
What is the difference between Class 1 and Class B fire ratings?
Class 1 is a British Standard (BS 476 Part 7) rating for surface spread of flame; Class B is a Euroclass rating (EN 13501-1) that also accounts for heat contribution, and is the classification referenced in current UK Building Regulations. Class 1 and Class B are roughly comparable in stringency but are not formally equivalent. A product certified to both standards provides the broadest compliance coverage. Always check which standard your fire risk assessment or building specification requires before purchasing.
Where should fire resistant notice boards be placed in an office?
The most important locations are corridors and escape routes, near fire exits, in reception areas, and on each floor independently in multi-storey buildings. Boards should be mounted at eye level, well-lit, and unobstructed. The goal is that any person, including visitors and contractors who are unfamiliar with the building, can read emergency information quickly without having to search for it.
What information must be displayed on a fire notice board?
There is no single prescribed list in UK law, but fire safety guidance and risk assessment practice consistently includes: evacuation routes and exit locations, assembly point details, fire warden and first aider contact information, emergency services number, fire extinguisher locations, the date of the last fire inspection, and a floor plan where the building layout is complex. Review and update the content at least annually or whenever routes, personnel, or the building layout changes.
Can I use a standard notice board in a school corridor?
Generally no. Building Bulletin BB100 recommends Class B or Class 1 surface linings in circulation routes and corridors in schools. A standard notice board with an untested felt surface may not meet this requirement. Using a non-rated board in a corridor could be flagged during a local authority premises inspection or Ofsted visit and noted as a fire safety deficiency. Presentation Spaces stocks Class 1 fire retardant boards specifically sized and finished for school environments.
For advice on choosing the right fire-rated notice board for your building, call us on 01382 913 913, email info@presentationspaces.co.uk, or use the contact form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
