Navigating UK Fire Regulations: A Specifier’s Guide to Acoustic Materials
For architects and interior designers, specifying interior finishes is a delicate balancing act. You need to achieve the client's aesthetic vision, hit stringent acoustic performance targets (like Class A sound absorption), and—most importantly—ensure absolute compliance with UK fire safety and building regulations.
When it comes to wall coverings and suspended ceiling treatments, fire safety is the number one liability. With the UK construction industry strictly enforcing the European standard EN 13501-1:2018 over the outdated British Standard (BS 476 "Class 0"), specifiers need absolute clarity on how their materials will perform in the event of a fire. Here is your straightforward guide to specifying acoustic panels safely, legally, and beautifully.
Decoding EN 13501-1: What Do the Ratings Mean?
When you look at a technical data sheet for an acoustic product, you will see a rating that looks something like this: B-s1, d0. But what does that actually mean for your building control application?
The EN 13501-1 classification is broken down into three critical components:
Combustibility (The Letter): Ranges from A1 (Non-combustible) down to F (Easily flammable). Class B signifies very limited contribution to fire, making it the highest achievable standard for combustible materials like wood, fabric, or PET plastics.
Smoke Emission (The 's'): Ranges from s1 (little or no smoke) to s3 (substantial smoke). Smoke inhalation is the leading cause of fire-related casualties, making an 's1' or 's2' rating crucial for commercial spaces.
Flaming Droplets (The 'd'): Ranges from d0 (no flaming droplets) to d2 (many droplets). In a ceiling installation, a 'd0' rating is vital to ensure melting material doesn't drip onto the occupants below or spread the fire across the floor.
GB Acoustics PetFelt: Fire Specifications by Thickness
At GB Acoustics, we engineer our PetFelt products not just for acoustic comfort, but for life safety. Made from compressed, recycled plastic bottles, PetFelt achieves exceptional fire classifications without the need for toxic, post-production chemical retardants.
Because fire performance changes slightly depending on the mass and density of the material, we have independently tested our core thicknesses to EN 13501-1:2018 standards.
Here are the precise specifications for your NBS documents:
| PetFelt Thickness | EN 13501-1:2018 Classification | Ideal Specification Application |
|---|---|---|
| 9mm PetFelt | B - s2, d0 | General office areas, meeting rooms, wall coverings. |
| 12mm PetFelt | B - s2, d0 | Acoustic screens, baffles, and feature walls. |
| 24mm PetFelt | B - s1, d0 | Premium specification. Ideal for strict smoke-control zones, escape routes, and high-density Class A ceiling treatments. |
Where to Specify PetFelt in Your Fit-Out
Understanding the rating is one thing; knowing where Building Control will allow it is another. Based on Approved Document B (Fire Safety) in the UK, here is how our PetFelt classifications apply to your floor plans:
General Office & Open Plan Workspaces
For standard commercial zones (desking areas, boardrooms, breakout spaces), a classification of Class C-s3, d2 or better is typically required for wall and ceiling linings.
The GB Acoustics Solution: All of our PetFelt thicknesses (9mm, 12mm, 24mm) significantly exceed this minimum requirement, giving you complete design freedom across the primary floor plate.
Circulation Spaces & Escape Routes
Corridors, stairwells, and designated fire escape routes have the strictest regulations. To prevent fire spread and ensure visibility, these areas generally require a minimum of Class B-s3, d2.
The GB Acoustics Solution: Because our panels achieve a 'd0' (no flaming droplets) and up to an 's1' (virtually no smoke), our 24mm PetFelt is an exceptionally safe choice for overhead acoustic baffles in escape corridors, ensuring compliance without sacrificing acoustics.
Aesthetics Without the Risk
You no longer have to compromise between beautiful acoustics and building compliance. By specifying GB Acoustics' PetFelt, you are choosing a sustainable, high-performance material that provides peace of mind for you, the client, and the building inspector.