Quick answer: Yes, good acoustic panels are safe for children when they are fire-tested, low in chemicals like formaldehyde, and fixed firmly out of reach. Our Flexi™ panels are fire safe and formaldehyde safe. In preschools and kids' rooms we fix panels higher on the wall and never use loose foam that small children can pick at.

Key takeaways

  • Choose fire-tested, formaldehyde-safe panels.
  • Fix panels firmly and higher up.
  • Avoid crumbly foam that kids can pick at.

Why panels help children

Children hear speech less well in noisy, echoey rooms than adults do. In a loud preschool, teachers raise their voices all day and kids find it hard to follow. Less echo means calmer rooms and clearer words. See reducing echo in a classroom.

Fire safety

Panels should come with fire test papers. In commercial buildings like preschools, wall and ceiling finishes must meet the SCDF Fire Code. Our Flexi™ panels are fire safe. For fire papers and QP/PE sign-off, we coordinate with the owner’s side and third-party consultants. See are acoustic panels fire-safe.

Not sure what your room needs? Send us a photo on WhatsApp or request a free quote. We'll tell you how many panels, where they go and the price. See our acoustic panels for schools and recent projects.

Safe panels for children infographic

Chemicals and smells

Some cheap panels and foams smell strongly when new. Ask for formaldehyde and emissions test results. Our Flexi™ panels are fire safe and formaldehyde safe.

Child-safe panels: what to check diagram

Fixings

Panels must be fixed so they cannot be pulled off. We use screws or clips in preschools and classrooms, not tape. Ceiling panels are always fixed mechanically, never glued.

Placement

Put panels from about shoulder height of an adult upward, and on the ceiling. Keep them away from where kids climb, and away from sockets and heaters. Keep fabric away from sinks and water too.

Foam: the worry

Egg-crate foam can crumble into small bits that toddlers may put in their mouths. It is also less effective. We do not recommend it for children's spaces. See foam vs acoustic panels.

Cleaning

Fabric panels can be vacuumed with a soft brush. Small marks can be dabbed with a damp cloth and mild soap. Darker or patterned colours hide small marks in busy rooms.

Placement in a preschool

Put ceiling panels over play and group areas, and wall panels above about 1.5 m. Add a soft reading corner with a rug. Keep panels away from sinks, kitchens and sockets.

Questions parents can ask a school

Are the panels fire-tested? Are they formaldehyde safe? How are they fixed? Who checks them? A good school or contractor can answer all four.

What we see on real jobs

At Pei School of Dance in Thomson Ridge, we fitted ceiling and wall panels in the studios, corridors and stairs over 2–3 floors. In children's spaces, we always fix panels high and firm.

Get a straight answer for your room

Send a photo of the classroom or studio on WhatsApp (+65 8930 1905) with its rough size. We'll recommend panels for clearer lessons and schedule installation around your classes or school holidays.

WhatsApp us a photo · Request a free quote · See prices

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