Stepping into a school gym takes you right back to the days of elementary school PE classes. hula hoops, volleyball nets, basketball rims, squeaky shoes, and endless games of dodgeball–you can still feel the rough texture and smell the rubber on that red ball as you dodged it.
Even though getting hit was a terrifying thing because that ball stung. Still, something in that space was keeping you safe, and you didn’t even realize it–the wall padding.
Many gym owners focus on equipment placement and user-friendly layouts and may overlook the importance of strategically placed wall padding. But the safety the wall padding provides is more than just absorbing impacts from collisions. Class A fire-rated wall padding can help prevent the spread of fires, giving students and athletes more time to exit the building.
So, what is Class A fire-rated wall padding, and why does a gym need it?
What Is a Class A Fire Rating?
There are five fire ratings within the fire classification system: Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, and Class K. These terms are in reference to the type of material that fuels a fire. Class A Fires burn typical things like wood and paper. They commonly occur in homes and other buildings.
Class A fire-rated materials meet the highest fire resistance standards, demonstrating low smoke production and minimal flame spread. Class A fire-rated products are built with elements that help stop a fire from reaching the combustible items inside, buying you precious time in an emergency. Regarding fire safety, a Class A rating is the gold standard.
Materials with this rating are the heroes of the day during a fire, keeping flames and smoke to a minimum. Using construction materials with Class A ratings is especially important in areas where fires spread quickly, such as floors, ceilings, roofs, and walls.
Why Do I Need It?
Not every wall pad is Class A rated because not every gym or recreation space is required to have Class A rated pads. Many top tier wall pads have fire resistant vinyl covers, which provide protection and meet fire codes.
What your gym needs will depend on the fire safety codes in your area for your facility. We recommend checking with your local fire marshal before purchasing wall padding for your facility. If you do need Class A rated wall padding, Class A wall padding can keep you in compliance with the city fire code. Complying with these regulations is imperative.
Athlete safety is always a top priority. Quality wall padding prevents injuries, but it is also important to think about the “what ifs” and put measures in place to keep everyone safe during an emergency.
Making the Right Choice
While a fire in your gym is unlikely, it is still possible and deserves serious consideration. The type of wall pads you install should do more than absorb impact. They also need suitable materials to prevent a fire from spreading.
Flammable wall padding is a safety hazard and may impede gym participants from quickly evacuating, especially since wall pads surround escape routes like doors and windows. To the naked eye, wall padding looks the same, but fire code requirements are key factors when choosing which high-quality wall padding to install.
Understanding the building code requirements is the first step. What does your area require? Two codes are typically used:
- The NFPA 101 Life Safety Code focuses on the safety of the occupants of the building by creating requirements around fire alarms, sprinkler systems, and access to exits.
- The International Building Code mainly looks at the fire safety of the building’s structure while under construction.
Check with your local fire marshal to know how these codes apply within your jurisdiction. Understanding the local fire code will help you determine whether you need a Class A fire rating on just the vinyl covering or all the interior components of the wall padding.
Finding Code Compliant Wall Pads
The safety of your gym is a top priority. Here at Institutional Sports Equipment, we work with some of the best manufacturers in the country and all are up to date on fire safety regulations. Working with information from your local fire marshal, we can help you identify whether your gym needs Class A-rated vinyl coverings or if your city requires all padding components to be Class A-rated. Your wall padding manufacturer can provide documentation from an independent lab, certifying that your wall padding has passed the required tests and meets the code.
With so many other pressing items on your To-Do List, don’t expend unnecessary effort trying to find the best wall padding manufacturers. We have already researched and can direct you to where to find the best Class A fire-rated wall padding.
Hopefully, you will never have the chance to see your wall padding display its fire and smoke resistance. Still, if you do, you can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing you made the right choice where it mattered most.
