Barricade tape is brightly colored tape (often incorporating a -tone pattern of alternating yellow-black or red-white stripes or the words “Caution” or “Danger” in prominent lettering) that is used to warn or be a focus for passersby of an space or state of affairs containing a potential hazard. It acts as a minor impediment to prevent unintended entrance to that space or state of affairs and as a result enhances basic safety. Barricade tape can also be known as development tape or barrier tape or in reference to the safety hazard concerned as caution tape, warning tape, hazard tape or hazard tape. When utilized by a police force, the tape is named police tape.
The tape is often wrapped and affixed as a visible warning sign and demarcation, for example against coming into a harmful space, reminiscent of an industrial or commercial building site, a roadworks development site or the scene of an accident[1] or a criminal offense (for crime scene preservation), or against handling inoperative machinery or appliances.
Barricade tape is made with durable, resilient, tear-proof plastic supplies resembling polyethylene, polypropylene, or nylon. It’s at the very least 2 mm thick and 3 inches wide.[citation needed] Nonetheless, different producers provide different sizes and thicknesses of barricade tape. Different frequent sizes of barricade tape are 2, 4 or 6 inches wide and four or 10 mm thick.[citation needed]
Barricade tape usually has a shiny background and pre-printed bold warning text. It is also doable to buy plain barricade tape and write a customized message on it. However, care ought to be taken when using custom tape, as barricade tape designs may be required to comply with rules, such because the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) laws (when used for functions topic to regulation by these organizations) within the USA.
Barricade tape is used according to the color specs set by OSHA and ANSI. Barricade tape could also be use primarily as a safety precaution for various industries and procedures.
Development tape
This is used in construction zones to inform folks about ongoing construction and that there are attainable hazards within the demarcated area. Building tape usually employs a yellow-black colour mixture and incorporates printed text, equivalent to “Under Building”, “Caution”, “Work Zone”, and “Preserve Out” (amongst others). This type of barrier tape is commonly discovered on the site of renovations, demolition, and minor repairs.
Hazard tape
This is utilized in places containing a considerable danger. Examples embrace electrocution hazards or areas within which there is a risk of exposure to poisonous chemicals. In some regions, the specific colour mixture signifies the type of threat. For example, yellow-black tape could also be used to signal the presence of a physical hazard (e.g., a hole), while magenta-yellow can denote a radiation hazard. This type of barrier tape is commonly used in laboratories, production areas, and industrial zones.
Traffic control machine tape
This type of barrier tape, as its name implies is used to manage site visitors, whether foot visitors or vehicle traffic. Traffic control device tapes are used as short-term visitors signal to redirect site visitors throughout parade or at any time when a road is closed. These are normally brightly colored, either in solid orange or orange-white combination.
Police tape or law enforcement tape
This type of barrier tape is used to isolate, protect and preserve a crime scene. Police tape is used to inform the public that an investigation is on going and that a particular space is restricted. This is usually seen with a yellow-white, yellow-black or blue-white coloration combination.
Firefighter tape
This serves the identical function as police tape and hazard tape. Firefighter tape is used to isolate a particular space during or after a fire to keep the general public away from fire-related risks (e.g., smoke inhalation, airborne particulate matter, and damaged constructions).
Requirements for barricade tape
OSHA and ANSI provide precise specification for barricade tape colors. These are present in OSHA laws 1910.22 and 1910.one hundred forty four[citation needed] and ANSI Z535.5-2007, Safety Tags and Barricade Tapes (for Momentary Hazards). Nevertheless, the dimension, thickness, and materials of the barricade tape are left to the discretion of the manufacturer.
OSHA-specified barricade tape colours
Red / white for Fire Prevention and Protection Equipment.
Black / white for Housekeeping and Aisle Marking
Magenta / yellow for Radiation Hazards
Green / white for Safety and First Aid
Blue / white for Defective Machinery
Orange / white for Traffic and Caution Warning
Black / yellow for Physical Hazards
ANSI-specified barricade tape colors
Yellow/Black Barricade Tape serves as CAUTION and POTENTIAL HAZARD from:
Excavation less than 1.2 meters (four feet) in depth
Identification of trip hazards and low hanging objects
Material storage on site
Red Barrication Tape signifies DANGER and SERIOUS HAZARD from:
Overhead work
Live electrical components
Scaffold under development
Around swing radius of equipment with a rotating superconstruction
Magenta (Purple)/Yellow Tape denotes DANGER and POSSIBLE RADIATION EXPOSURE
Underground warning tape (custom) warns about:
Digging underground gas-pipeline, electric cable and OFC cable installation
Customized thickness and width are available
Underground work
Protection from overground work
United Kingdom
Red and white tape (top) or yellow and black tape (bottom) can both be used to mark hazards under UK health and safety rules
Health and safety laws state that markings should be placed around obstacles or harmful locations. This includes the place any of the following current a risk:
individuals tripping or falling
objects falling
people or vehicles colliding with objects
These markings must be made up of alternating red and white or yellow and black stripes of equal dimension at a 45 degree angle. Barricade tape can be used to fulfill this requirement as long as the tape fits these requirements and is “commensurate with the size of the obstacle or dangerous location in question”.