Fire Retardant Tape: What It Is, How It Works & How to Use It

Date: 25/03/26

In an increasingly electronic world, wiring and cables have become integrated into all kinds of equipment and machinery, from industrial plants to vehicle engines, from commercial applications to domestic settings. 

Protecting those wires from both constant operating temperatures and occasional temperature spikes is vital for the safety of operators and the protection of equipment. Sleeve It fire retardant tape, also known as fire tape and thermo tape, provides a dependable, flexible solution to cable and wiring protection, as well as protecting pipework and hydraulic hoses. 

What is Fire Retardant Tape?

Fire retardant tape is an adhesive tape that provides both thermal and fire protection for cables and conduits. It prevents the spread of flames by forming a fire resistant outer layer, while the inner layer insulates from the associated temperature rises.

Fire retardant tape is a specialised product and should not be confused with standard electrical tape, which does not resist flame or provide thermal insulation.

How Does Flame Retardant Tape Work?

Sleeve It Fire Tape flame retardant tape works in two ways to deliver dependable protection:

1. Inner layer – Fire Tape is manufactured from woven E-glass fibre yarn. This has low thermal conductivity and can withstand constant operating temperatures of up to 260°C and molten splash at up to 1200°C.

2. Outer layer – Fire Tape is coated with a high-grade silicone elastomer rubber. This melts on exposure to flame, forming a strong, flame resistant silicone dioxide layer.

Produced as a tape, rather than a continuous sleeve such as Fire Sleeve, Fire Tape offers the ultimate in flexibility. This makes it ideal for repairs and emergency use, as well as retrofitting. It can be added to existing wiring and pipework without the need to shut down the system or disconnect the components.

Applications for Heat Resistant Tape

Heat resistant tape, such as Fire Tape, has a wide range of uses across a number of different industry sectors, including:

• Electrical Wiring & Cable Harnessing: Fire Tape can be used to protect vital circuits, switchboards and servers, preventing electrical fires from spreading.

• Travel & Transport: From everyday automotive to aerospace, shipping to rail, Fire Tape can be used to wrap exhaust components, engine bay wiring and hydraulic hoses to protect against engine heat.

• Industrial & Manufacturing: from production lines to foundries, construction works to steel mills, Fire Tape provides a vital line of defence against high operating temperatures and occasional molten spill spikes.

Why Trust Sleeve It for Your Thermal Protection Needs?

Sleeve It is the UK experts when it comes to dependable, flexible thermal protection. We have over two decades of experience in this highly specialised sector and are proud to serve customers across the world, from the auto industry to aerospace, from the military to marine applications. 

We offer a comprehensive range of protective sleeving, thermal protection, insulation materials and silicone products, many manufactured right here in the UK and proudly flying the Made in Britain flag. 

We are constantly working to improve both the technical performance and the manufacturing efficiency of our products to ensure that we offer the most up-to-date and most appropriate products to our extensive customer base. We also work closely with all the relevant industry organisations to ensure that our products remain fully compliant with all relevant standards.

Find Out More About Fire Tape

Thermal and fire protection is not something to compromise on. So trust the international technical expertise of Sleeve It to keep you safe. To find out more about Fire Tape and the rest of Sleeve t’s industry-leading protective product range, visit our website today or contact our friendly team.

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