Ranges of Noticeboards
Types of noticeboards and ranges of noticeboards are different things. The type of noticeboard applies to the styles listed above: unframed, aluminium framed, tamperproof and mobile.
Ranges of noticeboards refers to the different brands which are either FlameShield (fire rated), Accents (fie rated and non-fire rated) or Decorative (non-fire rated).
Unframed, aluminium framed and tamperproof noticeboards are available in the FlameShield, Accents and decorative ranges, whereas mobile noticeboards are only available in the Accents and decorative lines.
FlameShield noticeboards
The FlameShield noticeboard range consists purely of fire-retardant notice boards. Given the health and safety regulations in place for schools, hospitals and public buildings, FlameShield notice boards are the displays that are most suitable and compliant for these settings.
- Compliant to both UK and European fire safety standards (excluding tamperproof which is compliant to UK standards only)
- Accents range available – fire retardant and colourful
- Available as unframed noticeboards, aluminium framed notice boards and tamperproof noticeboards
- Recommended for use in schools, nurseries, colleges, hospitals and public buildings with over 25 people present at any given time
Accents noticeboards
Accents noticeboards are our newest range of wall displays and are available as part of the wider FlameShield range or Decorative (non-fire rated) ranges.
What makes Accents noticeboards stand out is that they come in seven bright colours.
The vibrant colours are perfect for modern offices, schools and hospitals looking to add some personality into their displays.
- Available as both FlameShield (fire rated) or Decorative (non-fire rated) noticeboards
- Seven bright colours to choose from
- Aluminium framed, unframed, tamperproof and mobile noticeboards available
Decorative notice boards
Our Decorative noticeboards are ideal for home offices and small, private buildings, but they aren’t fire and so aren’t recommended for use in schools and public areas.
- Available as unframed noticeboards, tamperproof noticeboards, aluminium framed noticeboards, wooden framed notice boards and mobile notice boards
- Ideal for use in smaller, private buildings with less than 25 people present at any one time
Fire Ratings Explained
Understanding fire ratings can seem confusing because of the jumble of class ratings, letters and numbers.
FlameShield noticeboards are certified under both UK and European fire safety regulations which essentially means the entire board is non-combustible.
British fire safety standards
The British fire rating standard is called BS 476 and is rated from class 0 to class 4, with class 0 being the highest rated. All FlameShield noticeboards are rated class 0.
The British test covers the spread of flame and is designed to ensure the board won’t contribute to the growth of a fire.
There are two different tests that are run in order to determine how the noticeboard affects the spread of a blaze under the BS 476.
The first test involves igniting a fire directly at the front of the board, and the second test is done by lighting the bottom edge of the noticeboard.
Having a class 0 rating means that the FlameShield noticeboard range passed both tests.
In short, the noticeboards are made entirely of materials with a limited combustibility and have a low score on the fire propagation index (which looks at ignition characteristics, the amount and rate of heat release and the ability of a material to accelerate the growth of a fire).
Tamperproof FlameShield noticeboards are rated as class 0, but the plastic door is rated as class 1Y. This means they are compliant to British fire standards but not European standards. There is no fire rating pertaining to plastic doors under the European fire safety standards.
In the event of a fire, the plastic door will fall away from the board.
It is not possible to get plastic that is completely immune from fire – the only way to achieve this would be with glass, but glass is exceptionally heavy and poses its own health and safety risks.
European fire safety standards
TheEuropean fire safety standard is called BS EN 13501 and is rated from class A to class F, with class A being the highest rated. FlameShield noticeboards are rated class B. There is no UK noticeboard supplier that we are aware of who manufactures noticeboards higher than class B.
The European test looks at what happens when the noticeboard burns and seeks to identify which – if any – harmful fumes, energy and smoke is emitted from the noticeboard when it is alight.
FlameShield noticeboards have a class B rating, meaning they emit little to no toxic fumes, energy or smoke.
Combined with the British class 0 rating, the European class B certification makes FlameShield noticeboards the safest solution for schools, hospitals and other public spaces with a footfall exceeding 25 people.
Aside from the fire ratings listed above, you will also find several other classifications listed on our FlameShield fire rated noticeboard technical specification sheets. Although all of the certifications are listed next to each other, the only classifications that apply to fire retardancy are BS 476 and BS EN 13501. All other certifications pertain to different things.