Our specialist stores
Our specialist stores
Fire Retardant MDF
Fire retardant MDF is used across UK projects where compliance is built into the design from day one. You are not choosing for looks. You are choosing to meet the spec and pass inspection. Many fire retardant MDF is classified as Euroclass B (Class B MDF), helping meet standard fire performance targets. This guide explains how it all fits together.
What is fire retardant MDF?
Fire retardant MDF is a non structural MDF board designed to slow the spread of fire and meet recognised fire performance standards required on commercial and public projects.
It is often described as fire resistant MDF in practice, especially on site. It is used where drawings or building regulations specify a material with controlled fire behaviour, rather than as a general upgrade over standard MDF.
Made to EN 622-5 for dry indoor use. Available in 2440 x 1220mm and 3050 x 1220mm sheets, with thicknesses from 6mm to 25mm. The boards are usually pink or red, making them easy to identify on site.
What matters is how the board performs once installed. It is there to slow things down in a fire, not to stop it completely. The term fireproof MDF is often used, but in practice these boards are typically classified as Euroclass B and are designed to control fire behaviour rather than resist it fully. The final result always depends on the full build up. FR MDF cuts cleanly, machines well and provides a smooth sanded surface suitable for painting or laminating.
The boards are not moisture resistant and should not be used in areas exposed to regular damp or wet conditions.
Brands like Finsa and Medite Smartply are widely used across UK projects. The decision usually depends on the specification.
What is fire rated MDF used for?
Fire rated MDF is used where the material is already defined by the job. It is written into the drawings, backed by regulations and expected to meet a specific fire class once installed. At that point, it is not about choosing a better board. It is about using the one that fits the requirement.
You will see it across commercial interiors and public buildings, especially on projects where compliance is checked and documented. Offices, retail units, schools, hospitals, refurb work. Anywhere the build needs to meet fire performance as part of the finish.
On site, it usually ends up in partitions, wall linings and joinery. Panels in corridors, reception areas, back of house spaces. Fitted elements like cabinetry or wall panelling where the material still needs to look right, but also meet the spec. It is part of the build, not a separate solution.
The reason it is used is straightforward. The project calls for a board that meets a defined fire class, often Euroclass B, and standard MDF does not cover that. So the choice is already made before the material is ordered.
What makes it practical is that it works like standard MDF. It cuts cleanly, fixes the same way and does not slow the job down. There is no need to rethink the process or change tools. You install it as expected and move on.
Benefits of FR MDF
- Meets fire safety requirements set out in specifications and regulations
- Typically classified as Euroclass B for standard compliance
- Helps avoid failed inspections and rework
- Slows the spread of fire to support safer evacuation
- Works like standard MDF with standard installation methods
- Widely recognised and accepted across UK projects
- Easy to identify on site due to coloured core
Why choose our fire retardant MDF?
At Sheet Materials Wholesale, the focus is simple. Supply materials that match the specification and arrive when they are needed.
All fire retardant MDF is kept in stock and ready for dispatch. This removes delays and keeps projects moving.
Clear pricing from the start, with bulk and volume options when larger quantities are required.
Delivery is built around site schedules. Fast nationwide delivery, with next day there when timing matters on site.
Orders are checked and prepared with attention before dispatch. Stock is checked, prepared properly and delivered in a condition ready for use. VAT invoice provided as standard. Clear order tracking.
The result is straightforward. Reliable material, consistent supply and a service that supports the job from order to delivery.
At Sheet Materials Wholesale, you can purchase Fire Retardant MDF at low wholesale prices with fast nationwide delivery for most of items within 1-3 working days across the UK. Next-day delivery is also available on most orders. Competitive rates guaranteed.
FAQ
Does cutting or routing FR MDF affect its fire classification?
Cutting does not affect the fire classification. Each cut piece retains its full original thickness, and the fire retardant treatment distributed throughout the board remains intact.
Routing is a different matter. Where routing removes significant material, the board is thinner in those areas than the tested thickness at which the Euroclass classification was certified. For shallow decorative routing, this is unlikely to be an issue in practice. For deep rebates or significant profiling on a compliance critical installation, you should not assume the original classification applies to the routed sections. Consult the manufacturer's technical data or your fire engineer before signing off on heavily routed elements.
What's the difference between Euroclass B and Euroclass C, and when does each apply?
Euroclass B has a higher fire performance. It contributes very little to fire growth and produces limited smoke. Euroclass C still limits fire spread, but to a lower standard.
Under UK Building Regulations Approved Document B, Euroclass B is typically required in high occupancy or high risk environments such as schools, hospitals, care homes and public corridors. Euroclass C may be acceptable in lower-risk commercial settings. Always check your project's fire strategy document or consult your fire engineer. The specification sheet is your protection if it is ever queried on site.
Can FR MDF be used in a fire-rated wall or ceiling assembly?
FR MDF board classification relates to the surface spread of flame. It does not make the whole assembly fire-rated. A fire-rated partition achieving 30 or 60 minutes of integrity is a system rating involving the framing, insulation, board fixings and junctions. FR MDF may be a component in such a system, but specifying it alone does not deliver an assembly fire rating. If you are building a rated partition, you need a tested system specification.
What documentation should I have on site for FR MDF?
At minimum: the Declaration of Performance, DoP, for the board, which confirms the Euroclass rating and the relevant EN standard EN 13986.
For Medite and Finsa boards, we can provide these on request. On larger commercial contracts or projects under BREEAM, your QS or fire consultant may also require the test evidence number. Keep a copy in your O&M manual. This comes up at handover more often than people expect.
Does painting FR MDF affect its fire rating?
Potentially yes, and this is where projects get caught out. Applying a standard paint over FR MDF can reduce the board's tested surface performance, particularly if you build up multiple coats. If the fire rating of the finished surface matters, which it does in most commercial applications, use an intumescent or fire-rated paint system. The board rating and the coating rating together determine the installed performance. Using a standard emulsion and assuming the board certification covers you is not correct.
Can FR MDF be used in areas with any moisture exposure?
Standard FR MDF is not moisture-resistant. It should only be used in dry internal conditions. If your application involves any risk of moisture, bathrooms, changing rooms, kitchens, or areas near external walls, you need moisture-resistant FR MDF, MR FR. These are different products and should be specified separately. Using standard FR MDF in a damp environment will cause the board to swell and degrade, and it may compromise the fire treatment over time.
Is FR MDF suitable for use as a substrate for veneering or laminating?
Yes, and it is one of the most common uses in commercial joinery, furniture, panelling and ceilings where a decorative finish is needed alongside compliance. The key point is that the facing material you apply also has its own fire classification, and the composite performance of the board plus the facing is what matters for the installed element. Your finishes supplier should be able to confirm the classification of their veneer, laminate or foil. Do not assume a thin decorative face is neutral.
What's the difference between Finsa and Medite FR MDF, and how do I choose?
Both meet Euroclass B and are manufactured to EN 622-5, so from a compliance standpoint, they are equivalent. The practical differences are in surface quality and density consistency.
Medite Premier is manufactured to a tighter tolerance with a finer surface finish, preferred by joiners doing visible painted or veneered work where surface preparation matters.
Finsa offers very strong value for applications where the board will be hidden or heavily worked. For a school corridor ceiling or a fire door substrate going into paint, Finsa is the commercially sensible choice. For a high-end hotel fit-out where the painter will be cutting in to a hard gloss finish, the extra cost of Medite is worth it.
How much waste should I allow when calculating FR MDF quantities?
For straightforward sheet work, partitions, and ceilings, allow 10 to 12%. For joinery work involving profiling, shaping or complex cuts, allow 15 to 20%. FR MDF is a compliance product, and running short mid-project is a genuine problem. Lead times on reorders can be 2 to 3 days minimum. If you are on a programme, order what you need plus a reasonable buffer. We would rather you have two sheets left over than have a snag at handover because you ran short on a door lining.
Where to buy Fire Retardant MDF?
You can buy fire retardant MDF directly from Sheet Materials Wholesale. All sizes and thicknesses are available to order online. The range includes different sheet sizes and thickness options to suit both small jobs and larger commercial work. You will also find well-known brands such as Finsa and Medite Smartply, widely used across UK projects and trusted on site. Everything is set up so you can find what you need in one place.
How much is Fire Retardant MDF?
Fire retardant MDF boards usually start from around £22 +VAT, depending on size and thickness, the price will change. Prices for fire-rated MDF panels can vary; check the latest pricing on the Sheet Materials Wholesale website.
What colour is fire retardant MDF?
Most fire retardant MDF boards come in a pink or light red colour. This makes it easy to identify a fire-rated MDF board on site and confirm that the panel has fire resistant properties. The colour runs through the board, so it stays visible even after cutting or machining. This helps avoid mix-ups with standard MDF during installation. Keep in mind, the colour is only for identification. Fire performance depends on the board classification and how it is used within the full build-up.
Fire Retardant MDF Range
-
SaleBuy in Bulk & Save
60-119 120+ £20.80£24.96 £19.26£23.11 
6mm Finsa Fire Rated MDF Board Euroclass B 2440 x 1220mm (8′ x 4′) FSC®
Fire Rated MDF 6mm is ideal for use in internal dry conditions for non-structural applications and suitable for services such as display panes, wall linings, partitions, and so on. This Product is CARB 2 Compliant & has top-level of machining and finishing properties.
Original price was: £22.25 Ex VAT (£26.70 Inc VAT).£21.89£26.27Current price is: £21.89 Ex VAT (£26.27 Inc VAT). Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
Buy in Bulk & Save
60-119 120+ £28.36£34.03 £26.87£32.24 
6mm Medite Premier Fire Rated MDF Board Euroclass B 2440 x 1220mm (8′ x 4′) FSC®
MEDITE PREMIER FR MDF 6mm is a Euroclass B fire-rated MDF for internal dry, non-structural applications such as display panels, wall linings, partitions and ceilings. It offers excellent machining and finishing characteristics. Medite Fire rated MDF is Carb 2 rated.
£29.85£35.82 Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
SaleBuy in Bulk & Save
60-119 120+ £36.15£43.38 £34.25£41.10 6mm Medite Premier Fire Rated MDF Board Euroclass B 3050 x 1220mm (10′ x 4′) FSC®
MEDITE PREMIER FR MDF 6mm in 10×4 size is a Euroclass B fire-rated MDF for internal dry, non-structural applications such as display panels, wall linings, partitions and ceilings. 6mm Fire MDF 3050 x 1220mm offers excellent machining and finishing characteristics. Medite Fire rated MDF is Carb 2 rated.
Original price was: £40.65 Ex VAT (£48.78 Inc VAT).£38.05£45.66Current price is: £38.05 Ex VAT (£45.66 Inc VAT). Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
SaleBuy in Bulk & Save
40-79 80+ £27.54£33.05 £26.09£31.31 
9mm Finsa Fire Rated MDF Board Euroclass B 2440 x 1220mm (8′ x 4′) FSC®
Fire Rated MDF 9mm is ideal for use in internal dry conditions for non-structural applications and suitable for services such as display panes, wall linings, partitions, and so on. This Product is CARB 2 Compliant & has top-level of machining and finishing properties.
Original price was: £31.01 Ex VAT (£37.21 Inc VAT).£28.99£34.79Current price is: £28.99 Ex VAT (£34.79 Inc VAT). Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
Buy in Bulk & Save
45-89 90+ £32.82£39.38 £31.10£37.32 
9mm Medite Premier Fire Rated MDF Board Euroclass B 2440 x 1220mm (8′ x 4′) FSC®
MEDITE PREMIER FR MDF 9mm is a Euroclass B fire-rated MDF for internal dry, non-structural applications such as display panels, wall linings, partitions and ceilings. It offers excellent machining and finishing characteristics. Medite Fire rated MDF is Carb 2 rated.
£34.55£41.46 Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
Buy in Bulk & Save
30-59 60+ £32.16£38.59 £28.77£34.52 
12mm Finsa Fire Rated MDF Board Euroclass B 2440 x 1220mm (8′ x 4′) FSC®
Fire Rated MDF 12mm is ideal for use in internal dry conditions for non-structural applications and suitable for services such as display panes, wall linings, partitions, and so on. This Product is CARB 2 Compliant & has top-level of machining and finishing properties.
£33.85£40.62 Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
Buy in Bulk & Save
30-59 60+ £41.11£49.33 £40.26£48.31 12mm Finsa Fire Rated MDF Board Euroclass B 3050 x 1220mm (10′ x 4′) FSC®
Fire Rated MDF 12mm is ideal for use in internal dry conditions for non-structural applications; suitable for uses such as display panes, wall linings, partitions, and so on.
£42.38£50.86 Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
SaleBuy in Bulk & Save
34-67 68+ £37.99£45.59 £35.99£43.19 12mm Medite Premier Fire Rated MDF Board Euroclass B 2440 x 1220mm (8′ x 4′) FSC®
MEDITE PREMIER FR MDF 12mm is a Euroclass B fire-rated MDF for internal dry, non-structural applications such as display panels, wall linings, partitions and ceilings. It offers excellent machining and finishing characteristics. Medite Fire rated MDF is Carb 2 rated.
Original price was: £41.55 Ex VAT (£49.86 Inc VAT).£39.99£47.99Current price is: £39.99 Ex VAT (£47.99 Inc VAT). Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
Buy in Bulk & Save
25-49 50+ £37.15£44.58 £35.19£42.23 
15mm Finsa Fire Rated MDF Board Euroclass B 2440 x 1220mm (8′ x 4′) FSC®
Fire Rated MDF 15mm is ideal for use in internal dry conditions for non-structural applications and suitable for services such as display panes, wall linings, partitions, and so on. This Product is CARB 2 Compliant & has top-level of machining and finishing properties.
£39.10£46.92 Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
Buy in Bulk & Save
20-39 40+ £44.21£53.05 £41.65£49.98 
18mm Finsa Fire Rated MDF Board Euroclass B 2440 x 1220mm (8′ x 4′) FSC®
Fire Rated MDF 18mm is ideal for use in internal dry conditions for non-structural applications and suitable for services such as display panes, wall linings, partitions, and so on. This Product is CARB 2 Compliant & has top-level of machining and finishing properties.
£46.54£55.85 Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
SaleBuy in Bulk & Save
20-39 40+ £54.10£64.92 £50.12£60.14 
18mm Finsa Fire Rated MDF Board Euroclass B 3050 x 1220mm (10′ x 4′) FSC®
Fire Rated MDF 18mm is ideal for use in internal dry conditions for non-structural applications; suitable for uses such as display panes, wall linings, partitions, and so on.
Original price was: £58.07 Ex VAT (£69.68 Inc VAT).£56.95£68.34Current price is: £56.95 Ex VAT (£68.34 Inc VAT). Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
SaleBuy in Bulk & Save
23-45 46+ £48.12£57.74 £45.59£54.71 18mm Medite Premier Fire Rated MDF Board Euroclass B 2440 x 1220mm (8′ x 4′) FSC®
MEDITE PREMIER FR MDF 18mm is a Euroclass B fire-rated MDF for internal dry, non-structural applications such as display panels, wall linings, partitions and ceilings. It offers excellent machining and finishing characteristics. Medite Fire rated MDF is Carb 2 rated.
Original price was: £51.97 Ex VAT (£62.36 Inc VAT).£50.65£60.78Current price is: £50.65 Ex VAT (£60.78 Inc VAT). Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart -
Buy in Bulk & Save
15-29 30+ £69.11£82.93 £64.02£76.82 
25mm Finsa Fire Rated MDF Board Euroclass B 2440 x 1220mm (8′ x 4′) FSC®
Fire Rated MDF 25mm is ideal for use in internal dry conditions for non-structural applications and suitable for services such as display panes, wall linings, partitions, and so on. This Product is CARB 2 Compliant & has top-level of machining and finishing properties.
£72.75£87.30 Ex VATInc VAT Add to cart
