Why And Where Should You Use Fire Rated Wall Padding?

Wall padding plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of a facility and its users, but in certain situations, you may want to upgrade to fire-rated wall padding. If you’re planning to build or upgrade an existing space, there are certain instances where fire-rated wall padding might be the best choice.

Why Should You Use Fire-Rated Wall Padding?

Do you need fire-retardant wall pads for building codes? Do you want fire-retardant wall pads for increased fire safety? While not entirely fireproof, fire-rated wall pads serve several important purposes.

Impact Protection

Fire-rated wall padding can be used for impact protection and injury prevention. Anti-collision wall pads offer shock absorption and cushion that can help protect individuals if they collide with a wall or post. The padding helps soften the impact to reduce or prevent injuries.

Fire Safety

Additionally, fire-rated wall pads are a key element in fire safety and prevention. These fire-resistant pads are engineered to meet fire safety standards, delaying fire ignition and slowing its progression. As a result, individuals in the building have more time to evacuate. In large spaces, like a gym, the padding can help prevent the room from igniting, giving a larger group of people, such as a group of students, extra time to get out.

Building Code Compliance

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may need to meet building codes and fire regulation specifics if you’re constructing a new space or renovating an existing building. Wall pads may need to meet fire prevention ratings for you to get the building approved for its intended use.

Where Should You Use Fire-Rated Wall Padding?

Fire-rated wall pads are an excellent choice for many different types of spaces.

Gymnasiums

Gym wall pads help keep students and athletes safe in the case of a collision with a gym wall. Additionally, school facilities must meet strict safety and fire regulations, so fire-rated wall padding is essential. Creating a padded gymnasium can help keep students safe during physical education classes and school sports.

Gymnastics Facilities

Similarly, fire-rated wall pads are important in gymnastics facilities. These large-scale facilities need to meet fire codes, and since gymnasts are often traveling at speed, padding can help keep them safe.

Martial Arts Studios

Wall pads are frequently used in martial arts centers. They can help keep athletes safe during practice and are also important during competitions. Whether a space is used for wrestling, karate, Jiu-Jitsu, or another sport, appropriate wall padding is important.

Calm Rooms and Sensory Rooms

Pads play a key role in creating a safe, calm room or sensory room, creating a completely padded space. Placing pads on the walls and the floors contributes to user and staff safety.

Bedrooms

Installing fire-rated wall padding in your child’s bedroom can also maximize the safety of the space and your child. Padding helps absorb shock and prevent injuries in the case of play, roughhousing, or a temper tantrum.

Healthcare Facilities

Healthcare facilities can also benefit from fire-rated wall padding. For example, hospital spaces designed for kids or nursing home areas where residents may have limited mobility are ideal locations for padded walls to help ensure patient and resident safety.

What Are the Best Fire-Rated Wall Pads?

When choosing fire-rated wall pads, it’s important to be aware of the product specifications. For a pad to be truly fire-rated, both the vinyl and foam used need to be Class A fire-rated. You may find wall pads featuring a Class A-rated vinyl cover, but if the foam isn’t also Class A-rated, the pad won’t be truly fire-rated. ASTM E-84 Class A is the bare minimum certification required for fire-rated wall padding.


Additionally, be aware that some wall pads may be fire-retardant but not impact-rated, so consider how you’ll be using them and whether that impact rating matters. Since fire-rated wall pads can be expensive, you could potentially save money by choosing wall pads that aren’t impact-rated but are fire-rated.

At Greatmats, we have several top-quality fire-rated pads. The Safety Fire-Rated Series Wall Pad is an indoor vinyl-covered wall pad that features two-inch-thick foam. It features anti-mildew, anti-fungus, antimicrobial, and antibacterial protection and is easy to install with the included nail margin along the top and bottom. That same pad is available in a Z-Clip design, which is ideal for temporary installation where the pads may need to be removed.

If you’re looking for even more impact protection, consider the Safety Fire Rated Impact Wall Pads. These pads feature two-inch-thick foam and meet ASTM 2440 impact standards for safety. They also feature anti-mildew, anti-fungus, antimicrobial, and antibacterial protection, plus they have a Z-Clip design for easy installation and removal as needed. The pads are also available with a nail margin design that’s ideal for permanent installation.

All of these pads are made in the USA, plus they’re UV-treated to ensure long-lasting durability and optimal performance. The wall pads are available in many sizes and colors to best fit your space and existing decor. We also offer custom graphics options, so you can custom-order wall pads that include your business, school, or sports team’s branding.

Safety Wall Pad Comparison

Why Order Fire-Rated Wall Padding From Greatmats?

At Greatmats, we’re proud to carry quality products and offer numerous customization options to ensure your wall pads work perfectly for your project. Our customer service team is happy to answer any questions, provide shipping quotes, help you choose the best wall pads for your needs, and place your custom order. We work hard to ensure that ordering from us is smooth and simple, plus we have countless positive reviews from satisfied customers. Contact us today to explore our available fire-rated products and take the next step in your project.