Office Acoustic Regulations and Fire Safety: What You Need to Know

When you’re installing acoustic panels in an office, it’s not just about how they look and how well they absorb sound. You also need to be confident they meet the relevant fire safety requirements and are suitable for commercial use. In this article we’ll explain why fire ratings matter, what to look for, and how Advanced Acoustics ensures our products are appropriate for office environments.

Why Fire Ratings Matter for Office Acoustic Panels

Offices and other commercial spaces are subject to stricter fire safety requirements than many domestic settings. Building control officers, landlords, insurers and health and safety teams may all ask questions about the materials you’re installing. Using the wrong products can lead to:

• Delays in sign-off or occupation
• Additional costs if materials need to be replaced
• Increased risk in the event of a fire

That’s why it’s important to choose acoustic panels that have been properly tested and are clearly documented.

Common Fire Ratings for Acoustic Panels in the UK

The exact standards and ratings required will depend on where and how panels are used, but you’ll often hear terms such as:

• Class 0 and Class 1 surface spread of flame
  These ratings relate to how a material behaves when exposed to fire on its surface. For many wall and ceiling applications in offices and corridors, appropriate surface spread of flame performance is essential.
• Crib 5 (BS 5852)
  This test is often referenced for upholstered furniture and certain panel applications. A Crib 5 rating indicates that a material has passed a more severe ignition test, making it suitable for many contract and commercial environments.
• Other relevant standards
  Depending on the specific product and application, there may be additional tests or classifications that apply.

The key point is that your supplier should be able to tell you what standard the product has been tested to and provide documentation if required. You don’t need to become a fire testing expert, but you do need to work with suppliers who understand these requirements and can provide clear information.

How Advanced Acoustics Panels Meet UK Requirements

At Advanced Acoustics, we design and manufacture our products with commercial use in mind. From your context, we know this is one of your big differentiators: everything is independently tested and conforms to UK fire regulations. In practice, that means:

• Independent testing
  Our products are tested by recognised laboratories rather than relying on assumptions or unverified claims.
• Clear fire performance information
  We can tell you which products are suitable for use on office walls, ceilings and other surfaces, and what fire ratings they achieve.
• Appropriate materials and constructions
  We select foams, fabrics and other components that are designed to meet the performance and fire safety requirements for their intended applications.
• Documentation on request
  Where needed, we can provide test reports or certificates to support your discussions with building control, landlords or other stakeholders.

This approach is one reason we’re trusted by organisations such as the BBC, McLaren and Pinewood Studios, where performance and compliance are non-negotiable.

What to Ask Your Acoustic Panel Supplier

If you’re comparing different acoustic panel suppliers for an office project, it’s worth asking a few straightforward questions:

• What fire rating do these panels have? Ask for the specific classification (e.g. Class 0, Class 1, Crib 5 where relevant).
• Are they suitable for office walls and ceilings? Make sure the product is intended for the type of installation you’re planning.
• Have they been independently tested? Ideally, you want third-party test data rather than in-house assumptions.
• Can you provide documentation if building control asks? This can save you time and stress later in the project.

If a supplier can’t answer these questions clearly, or avoids providing documentation, that’s a red flag – especially for commercial environments.

 Balancing Design, Performance and Compliance

In many office projects, there are three priorities that need to be balanced:

• Aesthetics – the panels need to look good and fit the design scheme.
• Acoustic performance – they need to make a noticeable difference to echo and noise.
• Compliance – they must meet relevant fire safety requirements.

Because Advanced Acoustics manufactures in the UK and controls the materials and processes, we can help you find the right balance:

• Recommending panel types and constructions that meet your fire safety needs
• Offering fabric and colour options that work with your design
• Ensuring the acoustic performance is appropriate for the space (meeting room, open-plan office, corridor, etc.)

Need Help with Office Acoustic Compliance?

If you’re planning an office fit-out or refurbishment and you’re not sure what you need from a fire safety perspective, we’re happy to help. Share with us:

• The type of spaces you’re treating (meeting rooms, open-plan areas, corridors, reception)
• Whether panels will be on walls, ceilings or both
• Any specific requirements from building control, landlords or consultants (if you have them)

We can then:

• Recommend suitable acoustic panel products for each area
• Confirm the relevant fire performance information
• Provide documentation where required

The next step? Visit our Office Acoustic Panels page and get in touch with your project details. We’ll help you choose office acoustic panels that not only sound good and look the part, but also meet the fire safety requirements you need to satisfy.