Fire-Rated Acoustic Panels in the UAE: Civil Defence Requirements, Class A and Euroclass Explained

Quick answer: Acoustic panels installed in UAE buildings are interior finishes, so they must meet the fire performance required by the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code for that occupancy and location, and the product should hold the relevant Civil Defence approval. In practice, specifiers usually look for ASTM E84 Class A (flame spread 0 to 25, smoke-developed 450 or less) or a strong Euroclass reaction-to-fire rating such as A2-s1,d0 or B-s1,d0. The test report must cover the complete panel as supplied, including fabric, core, facing and finish.

Acoustic treatment and fire safety are sometimes treated as separate design decisions. In the UAE, they cannot be. After a series of tower fires since 2012, the country tightened its approach to building materials, and the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code now mandates A2 panels on the exterior of new high-rise buildings. Interior finishes, including wall and ceiling acoustic panels, are also controlled.

This guide explains the ratings you will see on datasheets, how they relate to UAE requirements, and how to avoid the common mistakes that cause rejected submittals and costly replacements.

Why acoustic panels need a fire rating

Most acoustic panels work because they are porous. Air, and therefore sound, enters the material and loses energy. Porous materials have a large surface area exposed to air, which can make them contribute to fire spread and smoke if the wrong material is used. Fabric wrappings, decorative finishes, timber veneers and adhesives add further fuel.

In a fire, the most dangerous effects of interior finishes are:

• Flame spread across walls and ceilings, especially in corridors and escape routes.
• Smoke production, which reduces visibility and is the main cause of injury.
• Burning droplets that fall from ceiling panels and spread fire downward.

Fire codes therefore classify interior finishes, with stricter requirements for exit routes, high-occupancy areas and sleeping accommodation.

The two rating systems you will see

ASTM E84 (UL 723) Class A, B and C

This North American tunnel test measures how quickly flame spreads along a sample and how much smoke it produces.

Class	Flame spread index	Smoke-developed index
Class A (Class I)	0 to 25	450 or less
Class B (Class II)	26 to 75	450 or less
Class C (Class III)	76 to 200	450 or less

 

Class A is the most commonly specified rating for acoustic panels in UAE commercial projects.

EN 13501-1 Euroclasses

The European system classifies reaction to fire from A1 (non-combustible) through A2, B, C, D, E and F, with additional ratings for smoke (s1 lowest, s3 highest) and flaming droplets (d0 none, d2 most).

• A1 and A2 cover mineral-based products such as stone wool, glass wool boards and many mineral acoustic plasters.
• B-s1,d0 is often achievable for treated timber, PET and fabric-faced systems.
• C and below may be restricted in escape routes and high-risk occupancies.

A rating written as B-s1,d0 means limited contribution to fire, low smoke and no flaming droplets.

Do not compare classes across systems

Class A under ASTM E84 and Euroclass A are not the same thing. A product can be ASTM E84 Class A and Euroclass B. Always compare like with like and check which test the project specification asks for.

How the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code applies

The UAE Fire and Life Safety Code of Practice, issued by UAE Civil Defence, is the main reference for fire safety in buildings across the country, alongside local authority requirements in each emirate. For interior finishes it considers:

• Occupancy type, such as assembly, business, educational, healthcare, hotel or residential.
• Location within the building, with exits, exit access corridors and other rooms treated differently.
• Building protection, such as whether automatic sprinklers are installed.

Because requirements vary by occupancy and location, there is no single rating that is correct for every project. A boardroom wall in a sprinklered office may accept a different class from a corridor in a hotel. Always confirm the current edition of the code and the project’s fire strategy with the fire consultant.

Civil Defence approval of products

Fire-related products used in UAE projects are typically expected to carry approval or certification from the relevant Civil Defence authority, supported by test reports from recognised laboratories. Consultants commonly request:

• The Civil Defence approval or certificate for the product.
• The full fire test report, not just a summary sheet.
• Evidence that the tested sample matches the supplied product, including thickness, density, fabric and finish.

Fire performance by panel type

Fabric-wrapped mineral wool panels

Glass wool or stone wool cores are inherently non-combustible or limited-combustible, so the fire rating depends heavily on the fabric. Inherently flame-retardant fabrics keep the system performing. Our acoustic fabric panels are specified with this in mind.

PET felt and polyester panels

Polyester acoustic panels are popular for their colours and recycled content. Ratings vary widely between manufacturers and thicknesses, so request the test report for the exact product. Our PET felt soundproofing guide explains how these panels perform acoustically.

Wooden and slatted acoustic panels

Timber veneers and MDF substrates need fire-retardant treatment to reach higher classes, and the backing felt or mineral wool also matters. See our wooden acoustic panels for specified options.

Metal acoustic panels and ceilings

Perforated metal panels with mineral wool infill usually achieve high fire classes and are common in transport, industrial and healthcare settings. Read about acoustic metal ceilings and panels in Dubai.

Acoustic plaster and spray systems

Mineral-based acoustic plasters and spray-applied fibre systems can achieve very high reaction-to-fire classes. See what acoustic plaster is and how it works and our guide to thermal and acoustic spray insulation.

Common specification mistakes

• Testing the core, not the system. A Class A mineral wool core wrapped in an untested decorative fabric may not be Class A as a finished panel.
• Changing the fabric after approval. Swapping colours or fabric ranges during the project can invalidate the test evidence.
• Ignoring adhesives and fixings. Large areas of combustible adhesive can affect performance. Mechanical fixing or tested adhesives avoid this.
• Printed and custom finishes. Printed acoustic panels need evidence that the printed face was tested. See our article on printed acoustic panels in Dubai.
• Covering sprinklers or detectors. Ceiling baffles and clouds must be coordinated so they do not obstruct sprinkler spray patterns or smoke detection.

A practical specification checklist

1. Confirm the occupancy type and the fire strategy for each area.
2. Identify the required reaction-to-fire class for walls and ceilings in each location.
3. Select panels with test reports to the standard named in the specification.
4. Request the Civil Defence approval or certificate for the product.
5. Check that tested thickness, density, fabric and finish match the order.
6. Coordinate ceiling elements with sprinklers, detectors and lighting.
7. Keep test reports and approvals in the handover file for authority inspections.

Balancing fire safety with acoustic performance

There is no need to trade acoustic results for compliance. Mineral wool cores deliver high NRC values and strong fire classes. Where design calls for timber or felt finishes, treated versions and tested systems are available. The key is to choose the acoustic and fire requirements together at design stage. For background on how sound absorption is rated, see our NRC, STC and Rw buyer’s guide.

How Akinco helps

Akinco supplies acoustic panels, baffles, ceilings and plaster systems from established international manufacturers and supports consultants with datasheets, test reports and submittal packages. Our acousticians work alongside fire consultants so the acoustic design meets both performance and safety requirements. Browse our featured brands or our full product range.

Conclusion

In the UAE, acoustic panels are interior finishes and must meet the fire classification required for their occupancy and location under the UAE Fire and Life Safety Code. Specify by tested system, not by core material; compare ASTM E84 and Euroclass ratings carefully; and keep Civil Defence approvals and full test reports on file. Done properly, you get excellent acoustics without compliance risk.

Need compliant acoustic panels for your next project? Contact Akinco for fire-rated options, test documentation and submittal support.

Frequently asked questions

Do acoustic panels need Civil Defence approval in the UAE?

Fire-related products, including interior finishes such as acoustic panels, are typically expected to carry approval or certification from the relevant Civil Defence authority, supported by laboratory test reports. Confirm specific requirements with the project fire consultant.

What does Class A mean for acoustic panels?

Under ASTM E84, Class A means a flame spread index of 0 to 25 and a smoke-developed index of 450 or less. It is the highest of the three classes in that test.

Is Class A the same as Euroclass A1 or A2?

No. They come from different test methods. A product can be ASTM E84 Class A and Euroclass B. Compare ratings from the same standard as the specification.

Are polyester acoustic panels fire-rated?

Many PET panels carry fire ratings, but performance varies by manufacturer and thickness. Always ask for the test report for the exact product.

Can wooden acoustic panels be used in commercial buildings in the UAE?

Yes, where they meet the required fire class. This usually means fire-retardant treated veneers or substrates and a tested system.

Does changing the fabric on an approved panel affect its rating?

It can. The fabric is part of the tested system, so a different fabric may need separate test evidence.

Do acoustic ceiling baffles affect sprinklers?

They can if poorly positioned. Baffles and clouds must be coordinated with sprinkler and detector layouts so they do not obstruct spray or smoke detection.