Fire regulations in hotels: MC-NP fire-rated clips

Contract · Hotel specification

Fire regulations in hotels: MC-NP fire-rated clips and certified solutions

By the Panelclip technical team · 7 min read · Specifiers and technical managers

When an interior designer specifies a panel system for a hotel, one of the first obstacles they meet is fire regulations. The Spanish Building Code (CTE), in its Basic Document on Fire Safety (DB-SI), sets strict requirements for all materials and fixing systems used in public areas. The question is simple: how does an invisible clip system fit within this regulatory framework?

01What Spanish regulations say

The CTE-DB-SI classifies construction materials according to their reaction to fire using the Euroclasses defined in standard UNE-EN 13501-1. For wall and ceiling linings in public areas —corridors, lobbies, lounges, restaurants— the minimum classification generally required is B-s1,d0 or C-s2,d0, depending on the area and the expected occupancy.

This classification affects the decorative panel, which must be made of a material with the appropriate reaction to fire, but also the fixing system. A system that melts, deforms or releases toxic gases at relatively low temperatures compromises safety: panels can come loose during a fire, blocking escape routes or feeding the fire as they fall.

02MC-NP: the clip designed to withstand fire

Fastmount developed the Metal Clip MC-NP range specifically for environments where fire resistance is a regulatory requirement. The nickel-plated finish provides a much higher melting point than the engineering plastics used in conventional ranges. In a fire scenario, MC-NP clips keep their structural integrity for longer, preventing panels from coming loose prematurely.

The key features of the MC-NP range include its all-metal construction with a nickel finish, its mechanical screw fixing —with no adhesive components that could fail with heat— and its compatibility with panels that meet the Euroclasses required by regulations.

03MC-SS: the clip for exteriors and marine environments

To complete the picture of the Metal Clip range, it is worth distinguishing between the MC-NP variant (nickel-plated, for fire regulations) and the MC-SS variant (AISI 316 stainless steel, for exterior and marine environments). Both share the same mechanical design, but are optimised for different demands.

MC-SS withstands corrosion from salt humidity, extreme temperature changes and prolonged exposure to the weather. It is the range used in the superyacht industry and it also works on coastal hotel terraces, ventilated façades and any outdoor installation.

04The Fastmount ranges at a glance

The system is always the same —a male clip and a female clip that engage to leave the panel accessible and with no visible screws—, but each range is optimised for one demand. For hotel projects with fire requirements, the Metal range is the benchmark.

Standard15 kg/clip, scalable

Low ProfileThin panels

MetalLoad and fire (MC-NP / MC-SS)

TextileCushions (~32 kg)

StratLockLarge formats

Panel ControlSeismic retention

Fire regulations are not negotiable. We needed a system of removable panels for our hotel and we were worried about not complying with the DB-SI. Fastmount MC-NP clips gave us exactly what we needed: accessibility without compromising safety.

Gonzalo Pérez Hurtado — Technical director, hotel chain, Andalusia

05StratLock: extra security in common areas

In lobbies, main corridors, function rooms and other high-occupancy areas, large-format decorative panels require an extra consideration: that they cannot be removed accidentally or by unauthorised hands.

The StratLock range includes a locking mechanism that prevents the panel from being removed without the specific tool. Only maintenance staff with the right key can remove these panels. This adds an important layer of security in public areas where panels could be tampered with by guests or visitors.

When StratLock is combined with fire-certified panels and MC-NP clips in the areas that require them, the result is a complete system that complies with regulations, offers accessibility for maintenance and ensures that the panels stay in place during normal use of the building.

06How to specify correctly for your project

When specifying the clip system for a hotel project that must comply with fire regulations, the logical sequence is as follows:

1. Identify the reaction-to-fire classification required for the linings in each area of the hotel according to the CTE-DB-SI.
2. Select decorative panels that meet that classification.
3. Specify Fastmount MC-NP clips for all areas with fire-resistance requirements.
4. Add StratLock in high-occupancy areas where panel locking is needed.

At Panelclip we can help you with this process. Our technical team knows the Spanish regulations and can advise you on which range you need in each area of your project, always referring you to the data sheet and certificate of the specific system.

The application images belong to Fastmount™. No acoustic values are claimed: all performance is referred to testing and the technical data sheet.