What Fire Rating Should a Wall Covering Have for a Hotel Lobby?

Most Indian hotel lobbies require a wall covering rated Class B-s1, d0 or better under EN 13501-1 — meaning the material has limited combustibility, produces low smoke, and does not drip flaming particles. The exact requirement depends on the building's fire safety certification, the local fire authority's requirements, and whether the space is classified as an assembly area.

In practice, this rules out most decorative papers and vinyl-backed coverings that haven't been specifically tested and certified. Both Arte and Omexco publish EN 13501-1 certification for their full ranges, which is why they're specified almost exclusively on hospitality projects in India rather than lower-tier alternatives that lack third-party fire testing.

Architects specifying for a hotel project should request the fire rating certificate directly from the supplier before finalising a wall covering — not rely on the collection name or a general 'commercial grade' claim, which isn't a defined standard on its own.