Multiplex Fit-Out Materials: Fire, Sound and Brand Design
A multiplex fit-out must do three jobs at once. It has to meet fire rules, handle sound between screens, and look like the brand. Materials are chosen with all three in mind. Here is where BIOMEBOARD™ helps and where it does not.
1. Fire rules
Cinemas are public assembly buildings, and fire rules are strict about the smoke and burning behaviour of finishes. A 16 mm Type F BIOMEBOARD™ tested as fire class B-s1,d0. This means it adds little to a fire, produces very little smoke and gives off no burning drops. Check with your fire consultant, because the result applies to the board as tested. Other thicknesses and the raw Type R surface are not tested yet, and the report does not describe how the board was mounted.
2. Brand experience
Chains want a consistent look across every site. BIOMEBOARD™ offers two surfaces:
- Type R: raw, with visible straw flakes, for feature walls and signage.
- Type F: smooth, for paint, laminate or veneer to match brand colours. Both can be CNC cut into logos, letters and custom shapes.
3. Sound
Be careful here. A tested 100 mm partition built with BIOMEBOARD™ reached Rw 44 dB. That is a good level for offices, but cinemas need far higher separation between screens, so this partition is not the right answer for walls between auditoriums. Also, echo inside an auditorium is controlled by absorbing materials. A 30 mm board of this material family scored a low NRC of 0.22. So BIOMEBOARD™ is not an acoustic wall treatment.
Where does it fit today?
- Lobby wall panelling and feature walls
- Counters and display fixtures in dry areas
- Wayfinding and signage
- Back-of-house joinery
What about wear and tear?
We have not run wear tests, so we do not make claims about durability in heavy public use. We can share strength test results, such as screw holding, so your team can judge.
A smart first step
Start with one screen or one lobby package. Measure fire documents, installation feedback and look. Then decide on bigger orders.
Tips for lobby and counter design
- Use Type R for feature walls where texture is the story.
- Use Type F under laminate where you need a clean brand finish.
- Keep edges protected in busy areas, for example with edge banding.
- Keep boards away from spills and cleaning water.
FAQs
Can BIOMEBOARD™ go in cinema lobbies?
It is a good candidate, with your fire consultant's approval.
Can it be used for acoustic panels inside the screen?
No.
Can we match our brand colour?
Yes, using the Type F surface with paint or laminate.
Is it safe for the public?
It passed a low smoke fire test, and the binder has no added formaldehyde.
What thickness should I use?
BIOMEBOARD™ comes in 6 to 20 mm. Your fabricator can advise based on span and load.
Planning a multiplex project? Send us your brief.