Fire Safety in Cinemas: What B-s1,d0 Means
In a dark cinema with rows of seats, smoke can be more dangerous than flame. People need to see the exit signs and floor lights to get out. That is why fire codes care about how much smoke a material gives off, and not only how fast it burns.
What does B-s1,d0 mean?
This is a European class from the EN 13501-1 standard. Read it in three parts:
- B: the material adds only a small amount to a fire.
- s1: the lowest smoke band. Very little smoke.
- d0: no burning drops or particles falling. Class A means non-combustible, like stone. B is the next level used for most interior boards.
What did BIOMEBOARD™ score?
A 16 mm Type F board was tested in the EN 13823 test, where a gas flame burns against a corner built from two panels. It achieved class B-s1,d0. Key results:
- Smoke growth rate: 1.14 (the s1 limit is 30)
- Total smoke over ten minutes: 28.6 square metres (the s1 limit is 50)
- Flaming droplets: none A separate small flame test (ISO 11925-2) also showed the flame stopped at 30 to 40 mm, far short of the 150 mm fail line, with no burning drips.
The tests were done by Spectro Analytical Labs (Eurofins), a third-party lab, on a sample we supplied.
Where can it be used?
Based on this result, BIOMEBOARD™ suits lobby fit-outs, counters, wayfinding and signs. But the result applies to the board as tested. The report does not set out how it was mounted, and Type R and other thicknesses are not tested. Always confirm with your fire consultant for the exact use.
What about sound inside the auditorium?
Fire is only one need. Auditoriums also need control of echo, which is a different property called absorption. A 30 mm board of this material family scored an NRC of 0.22, which is low, so it is not an acoustic wall treatment.
Ask for the right documents
A fire consultant should ask for the full test report, the board thickness and surface, and how it was mounted. We will share the report on request.
Questions for your fire consultant
- Which thickness and surface were tested?
- How was the board mounted in the test?
- Does the finished product, with paint or laminate, keep the same class?
- What does the local building code require for this space?
FAQs
Why does smoke matter more than flame in a cinema?
Smoke hides exits and makes it hard to breathe.
Is B-s1,d0 the best fire rating?
No. Class A is for non-combustible products. B is very good for interior boards.
Is BIOMEBOARD™ fire resistant?
A 16 mm Type F board tested as B-s1,d0. Fire resistance of a whole wall is a different test and has not been done.
Can BIOMEBOARD™ be used in cinema lobbies?
Likely yes, subject to your fire consultant's approval.
Does paint or laminate change the fire class?
It can. Coatings and laminates may change how a board behaves, so confirm the finished product where the rules require it.
Need the fire report for your consultant? Request it.