Fire retardant plastic sheeting is a critical component of the fire safety of any construction build or renovation project. Does your job site have:
- Exposed or frayed wires
- Overloaded electrical circuits
- Faulty electrical work
- Hot work like welding, cutting, and heating, machiner
- Exposed flammable materials
These are just a few examples of potential hazards present in construction sites. Contractors trust Americover because we have the best fire retardant plastic sheeting options to meet various building codes and fire safety regulations.
What is Fire Retardant Plastic Sheeting?
Fire retardant plastic sheeting products are not “fireproof.” (Virtually any material will burn at some temperature.) Fire retardant plastic sheeting products, however, pass some of the most stringent flame retardant standards used in the building and aeronautics industry today. While regular polyethylene sheeting products burn up instantly, fire-retardant plastic sheeting is formulated to interrupt the natural combustion process losing its ability to contribute as a significant fuel source for a fire.
Related Article: Fire Retardant vs. Fire Resistant
Fire retardant additives allow sheeting to self-extinguish, slowing the spread of fire. Combustion rates take longer and heat ranges are significantly lower than similar products without fire-retardant additives.
Regulatory Testing Standards for Fire Retardant Plastic Sheeting
Any product used as a fire retardant barrier should be tested in a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) certified laboratory. NFPA 701 testing is conducted under specific conditions in very controlled environments.
“All testing is done in a controlled environment to produce the most accurate results. We don’t recommend users conduct their own testing because it can be very dangerous” comments Americover Account Manager Charlie Adkins.
Technicians take careful measurements of the charred areas, afterburn, flaming drips, smoke developed, flame spread, and many other items depending on the test criteria.
The NFPA 701 standard is used for many industries and the results are widely accepted by fire marshals. Americover recommends all customers contact their local fire authorities for the appropriate standards and requirements for their application.
Americover Fire Retardant Plastic Sheeting Products
Fire Retardant BearAcade™: a 6 mil self-adhesive film that can protect surfaces from liquid, dust, and debris. Perfect for creating a sealed environment such as abatement containments. Adheres to a variety of surfaces.
Fire Retardant Heat Shrink Wrap: specially formulated to shrink in all directions with heat applied. Creates a skin-like barrier around any object it covers, perfect to wrap scaffolding, cover buildings, enclose bridges and ships, and protect equipment.
Antistatic Fire Retardant Plastic Sheeting: this 6 mil poly film is designed to prevent the buildup of static electricity. It is the ideal sheeting for medical facilities, healthcare lociatons, and data centers and conforms to NFPA 701 and U L214.
Fire Retardant String Reinforced Plastic Sheeting: created with fire retartance in mind, this plastic sheeting is a puncture resistant construction film reinforced with a layer of polyester scrim to prevent tearing. It is ideal for applications where building and safety codes require a flame retardant or fire retardant material.
Fire Retardant Tapes
225FR White Fire Retardant Tape: A 12 mil thick white flame retardant, polyethylene coated, waterproof cloth tape with an exceptionally aggressive adhesive that bonds to a variety of substrates including steel and plastic.
268FR Black Fire Retardant Tape: 8.5 mil thick, black flame retardant, polyolefin coated, waterproof cloth tape with an aggressive adhesive suitable for a variety of substrates including steel and plastic.
377 FRPE Blue Fire Retardant Tape: a 7.2 mils thick, OSHA blue fire retardant, multipurpose, polyethylene film tape with high tack rubber adhesive that can be repositioned and offers a clean removal from many surfaces.
Trusted by Growers, Builders, and Distributors
Americover is the smart source for plastic and polyethylene sheeting. Trusted by contractors and distributors across the construction and agriculture industries, our American-made products combine reliability with quality and innovation.
As an Americover customer, you will receive the personalized support of a dedicated account manager to simplify the ordering process and ensure the best solution for every one of your projects. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff is here to answer your questions and fulfill orders Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. If you would like to speak with a representative, call us at 760-388-6294 or contact us.