As summer rolls on and preparations for the new academic year begin, it’s the perfect moment to take a closer look at something that often gets overlooked: your school’s display boards, noticeboards, and whiteboards.
They might seem like minor fixtures, but these everyday tools play a vital role in how your school communicates, presents learning, and keeps pupils safe. And if you’re not sure whether yours meet current fire safety standards, you’re not alone.
At Presentation Spaces, we work with schools across the UK to ensure their boards are safe, compliant, and fit for purpose—before term starts in September.
Are Your Display Boards Up to Standard?
Many school leaders, premises managers and business managers are surprised to learn that display and noticeboards—especially those in corridors, stairwells, and escape routes—are covered by Department for Education (DfE) regulations on fire safety.
Specifically, Building Bulletin 100 (BB100) outlines the standards for fire-resistant construction in schools. These include requirements for display surfaces that could, in the event of fire, contribute to flame spread or compromise escape routes.
What Do the Regulations Say?
Under BB100, noticeboards and display boards located in protected corridors or escape routes must:
- Be Class 0 fire-rated
- Be covered, ideally with lockable or top-hinged doors
- Be no more than 3 metres wide, with at least 1 metre of spacing between boards
These rules help ensure that evacuation routes remain safe and smoke/fire spread is minimised in the event of an incident. Boards that do not meet these standards could fail a fire risk assessment or raise concerns during routine inspections.
In fact, we’ve worked with several schools that were asked to remove or replace corridor boards following safety audits—often under tight time pressure and with limited budget. Getting ahead of the curve now could save time, money, and hassle later.
Why It’s Worth Reviewing Your Boards Now
Display boards do more than hold posters and certificates—they reflect your school culture, support communication, and often hold vital information like safeguarding contacts, timetables, or pupil voice content. That’s why it’s so important to make sure they’re both functional and safe.
Here’s why summer is the ideal time to take stock:
- Empty corridors and classrooms make installations quicker and safer
- Quick lead times allow you to install before the September return
- Prevent disruption to learning once pupils are back
- Budget planning becomes easier if you know what’s non-compliant in advance
We also offer free checks to help you identify older or unsafe boards, and provide like-for-like replacements that meet current standards without breaking your budget.
What Does Class 0 Mean?
Class 0 is a fire rating specified under UK building regulations. It means that a material will limit the spread of flames and heat across its surface, giving people more time to evacuate safely in the event of fire.
In school settings, this is crucial for areas like:
- Escape routes and fire exits
- Main corridors and stairwells
- Reception areas
- Shared spaces such as dining halls or libraries
All of our Class 0 noticeboards are tested to the highest UK standards, and we clearly label products to help you choose the right board for each space.
Compliant Board Options Available Now
Whether you’re replacing one old board or refitting a whole corridor, Presentation Spaces has a solution. Here are some of our most popular DfE-compliant options:
Class 0 Fire-Rated Noticeboards
Ideal for corridors, stairwells, or any escape route. These boards are available in multiple colours and sizes to suit school branding. Suitable for pinning pupil work or key documents.
Lockable Tamperproof Display Cases
Keep displays safe, secure, and clean. Lockable boards reduce tampering and help protect key messages—especially in areas open to pupils or the public.
Durable Whiteboards
We also supply robust whiteboards for classrooms, corridors and shared spaces. These are ideal for timetables, rotas or behavioural tracking displays.
Eco-Friendly Options
Want to balance compliance and sustainability? Our noticeboards collection includes recycled and eco-backed boards suitable for general classroom use (Class B and above).
Common Questions from Schools
❓ Do we need to replace every board?
No. The regulations specifically target protected corridors and escape routes. Classroom display boards and general-use boards may not need to be Class 0, though it’s good practice to review all wall-mounted surfaces.
❓ What if our current boards are not labelled?
We’re happy to review photos or arrange a quick inspection to assess existing boards. In many cases, older boards don’t meet fire performance standards and should be upgraded over time.
❓ What’s the turnaround time?
Many of our most popular compliant boards are held in stock and available for delivery in just a few working days. We also offer installation across the UK.
Let Us Help – Free Compliance Check & Quote
If you’re not sure whether your school is compliant, we’re happy to help. Our team can carry out a quick visual assessment (on-site or via photos), flag any risks, and recommend suitable replacements.
There’s still time to order and install before September!
- 📞 Call us on 01382 913 913
- 📧 Email info@presentationspaces.co.uk
- 💬 Or use our quick contact form
Why Schools Choose Presentation Spaces
We’re more than just a supplier. Schools across the UK choose us because:
- ✅ Education specialists – we understand BB100, BB93, DDA and the daily realities of school life
- ✅ Fast delivery & install – to meet tight summer timelines
- ✅ Friendly advice – no jargon, no hard sell, just helpful guidance
- ✅ Flexible options – from budget boards to premium lockable solutions
Also in Demand This Summer
- New whiteboards for classrooms and breakout spaces
- Acoustic panels for SEN spaces and open-plan learning zones
- Projection screens and AV-friendly wall surfaces
We’ll help you make sure every surface in your school is compliant, useful, and ready for a brilliant new year.
Get Started Today
September might feel far off—but with summer flying by, now’s the best time to take action. Even a small investment in safer boards now could save you major disruption later.
Contact us for a free fire safety board check, fast quote, and guidance on what to prioritise this summer.
- 📞 01382 913 913
- 📧 info@presentationspaces.co.uk
- 💬 Request a compliance check now
