Ysmlite Fire Retardant Reflective Tape Fire Resistance Test

In high-risk industries, fire safety and nighttime visibility often determine the reliability of protective equipment, and flame retardant reflective tape is a key material that plays a crucial role in both aspects. It must not only maintain structural stability in flames and delay combustion, but also clearly reflect light in dark environments to help users be spotted promptly. For this reason, flame-retardant reflective tape that has passed UL (Underwriters Laboratories) safety certification has always enjoyed high recognition in the global personal protective and industrial sectors.

As a reflective materials manufacturer with years of technological iteration and deep expertise in flame-retardant, Ysmlite has accumulated extensive reliable experience in this type of product.

In the eyes of industry professionals, Ysmlite's advantages are typically reflected in the following aspects:

Own raw yarn production system, strong material traceability

Many reflective tapes on the market simply purchase reflective film and yarn for composite processing, while Ysmlite has its own factories for flame-retardant yarn and base fabric. This means:

• The proportion of flame retardant added can be controlled.
• The oxygen index (LOI) of the raw yarn can be consistently maintained within a safe range.
• Each batch of materials can be traced back to its specific production date, equipment, and operator.

For protective materials requiring UL certification, this traceability is the foundation of reliability.

More mature flame-retardant coating technology and washable processes

Flame-retardant reflective tape is often used in fire-fighting suits, oilfield work clothes, and electrical work clothes, where frequent washing is common. Ysmlite has accumulated years of experience in washable coatings, flame-retardant resin formulations, and reflective microcrystalline adhesive bonding strength. These details often directly determine whether a product can pass UL fire resistance tests.

Standardized production environment and complete testing equipment.

UL standards require materials to be tested under strictly controlled experimental conditions; temperature, humidity, flame size, and sample size all affect the results. Ysmlite has a standardized in-house testing laboratory, including:

• Alcohol lamps or natural gas ignition sources with controllable flame height
• Temperature and humidity controlled room
• Multi-angle reflectivity test rack
• Low-power combustion timer

Comprehensive pre-testing capabilities ensure that every batch of products meets UL testing pass standards before leaving the factory.

Extensive real-world application feedback from global customers

Experience from fire departments, petrochemical companies, and railway departments allows Ysmlite to continuously refine its flame-retardant reflective products to better suit extreme working environments.

Therefore, understanding Ysmlite's manufacturing background helps readers understand why it can produce stable, reliable, and UL-certified flame-retardant reflective tape. Next, we will guide you through the professionalism behind the manufacturing and testing of reflective tape, from the UL standard itself to the fire resistance testing procedures and judgment methods.

Overview of UL-Certified Flame-Retardant Reflective Tape Fire Resistance Standards

UL is an internationally renowned safety testing organization, and its flame retardant tests are widely used by numerous industries worldwide due to their rigor and high repeatability. Many companies choose UL not just for its "authority," but because UL standards are closer to real-world risk environments and provide a more comprehensive assessment of material safety.

Key standards commonly involved in UL flame retardant testing include:

UL 94 – Material Flammability Testing Standard

UL 94 is most commonly used to assess the performance of polymer materials when ignited by a small flame. Many flame-retardant reflective tapes require their base fabric and coating resin to pass this test.

Indicators focused on by the UL 94 standard include:

• Self-extinguishing time
• Dripping
• Whether dripping ignites cotton underneath
• Flame spread

These indicators are crucial in actual protective clothing material testing because dripping can cause secondary injuries.

UL 214 – Integrity Testing for Flame-Retardant Materials Related to Textiles

Some flame-retardant reflective tapes refer to the fire resistance and char length requirements in UL 214.

It emphasizes the material's "structural retention" under sustained flame, which is particularly important for reflective tape sewn into clothing and edging.

Why is UL considered a "strict" standard?

Because UL testing doesn't aim for a "barely passing" grade, but rather requires materials to perform stably and repeatably under flame.

Unlike some regional standards that only test for momentary flame exposure:

• UL continuously ignites the sample.
• UL tests for afterflame behavior.
• UL records whether the sample produces dangerous drips.
• UL prioritizes the material's behavior in flame, rather than short-term results.

For flame-retardant reflective tape, UL certification means that the tape can fulfill its protective responsibility in real hazardous environments.

Preparation for Fire Resistance Testing: Materials, Instruments, and Environmental Requirements

The key to obtaining stable data from UL fire resistance testing lies not only in the "flame" itself, but also in the preparation phase. Any negligence before testing can lead to erroneous results. Therefore, the following points must be considered before starting the test:

Sample Preparation: Size, Cutting Method, Quantity

UL requires samples to be cut to specified dimensions; for example, many materials need to be cut to 13 mm wide, 100 mm long, or other fixed specifications.

Flame-retardant reflective tape is a "flexible composite material." When cutting it, please note the following:

• Use a sharp cutter or a dedicated textile cutter.
• The cut must be clean and smooth, without burning the edges.
• Samples should be taken from the roll of material at intervals.
• Avoid taking samples from the same location to prevent sample deviation.

Experimental technicians usually avoid the outer layer of the roll, as prolonged exposure to air can affect the stability of the flame retardant.

Ignition source equipment used in experiments

Most UL small flame tests use the following equipment:

• A stable-output alcohol lamp
• Or a natural gas miniature torch (adjustable flame height)
• Flame height control panel
• Ignition stand

The flame height usually needs to be fixed, for example, 19 ± 1 mm.

While the exact numbers don't need to be memorized, it's important to know that the more unstable the flame, the less controllable the experimental results.

Laboratory environment requirements

The environment can significantly affect test results. UL typically requires:

• Temperature maintained at 21–25°C
• Relative humidity 45–55%
• Avoid airflow (no direct fan or air conditioner blowing)
• No strong light obstructing observation of the flame edge

The coatings and additives in flame-retardant reflective tape are highly sensitive to humidity; therefore, laboratory personnel often place samples in advance to equilibrate in the laboratory for at least 24 hours.

Data Recording Tools

To avoid subjective differences, experiments are typically equipped with:

• Precision stopwatch
• Flame contact timer
• Recording forms
• Fire resistance test metal clamps

These devices are not intended for "specialization," but rather to ensure consistency in results obtained by different testers.

Detailed Explanation of the UL Fire Resistance Test Procedure

The following procedure is a simplified explanation of the UL flame test steps commonly used by manufacturers and testing organizations, allowing readers without a professional background to understand and refer to it.

Step 1: Secure the Sample

Fix the cut flame-retardant reflective tape vertically or horizontally onto the test fixture (depending on UL standard requirements).

The key is that the sample must not be curled or tilted, otherwise the flame contact point will change.

Step 2: Adjust the Flame

Light the alcohol lamp and adjust the flame height to the specified length.

Many technicians practice at least 3-5 times until the flame stabilizes before starting the formal test.

Why?
Because the flame height directly determines the heat intensity of the material; even an increase of 2-3 mm can affect the combustion behavior.

Step 3: First Ignition Test

Gently contact the bottom of the sample with the flame for a specified time (e.g., 10 seconds).

Observe:

• Whether the sample is ignited
• Whether it continues to burn after the flame is removed
• Whether molten droplets fall
• Whether the droplets ignite cotton (if using cotton as a catcher)

This step is crucial; it simulates the initial ignition of the material by a real flame, such as the instant a spark lands on work clothes.

Step 4: Record the First Afterburning Time

Immediately after removing the flame, start a timer and record the time the sample continues to burn.

Practical Experience

Many high-quality flame-retardant tapes self-extinguish within 1-2 seconds after the flame is removed.

Step 5: Second Ignition Test (Tighter Test)

Re-expose the sample to the bottom for the same duration (e.g., 10 seconds).

This simulates a situation of "continuous fire source occurrence," such as continuous sparks falling.

Why does UL require a second ignition?

Because the material's surface structure changes after the first ignition, the second test more accurately reflects the material's flame-retardant durability.

Step 6: Record Afterflame Time and Charred Length

The afterflame time, damage length, and charred length after the second test are crucial for determining whether UL certification is successful.

UL strictly records the charred length because a longer charred area indicates faster flame propagation along the material, increasing the risk.

Step 7: Data Processing and Judgment

Record all experimental results in the experimental table.

This includes:

• Afterflame time after first ignition
• Afterflame time after second ignition
• Dripping
• Whether cotton ignited
• Charred length
• Whether self-extinguishing time meets the specified range

For flame-retardant reflective tape, UL is most concerned with:

• No burning drips
• Rapid self-extinguishing of the flame
• The structure should not be completely destroyed

After processing the data, the testers will give a rating (e.g., V0, V1, V2, etc.) according to UL standards.

Test result judgment criteria: Which data indicators determine whether to pass UL?

UL judges whether a flame-retardant reflective tape is qualified not by whether the "material is blackened," but by several key safety indicators.

The following are the core items affecting the judgment:

Afterflame time

The shorter the time the material continues to burn after the flame is removed, the better.

For example, the UL94 V0 rating requires a very short afterflame time, almost "instantaneous self-extinguishing."

If the material still emits flames for a long time, it is unqualified.

Dripping Behavior

UL pays close attention to dripping because:

• Molten drops can burn the user's skin.
• Molten drops may ignite flammable materials on the ground.
• Molten drops indicate an unstable coating structure.

High-quality flame-retardant reflective tape must be "non-flammable dripping."

Carbon Length

The longer the charred area, the easier it is for the flame to spread along the material.

UL sets the maximum permissible char length according to different standards.

Flame Spread Pattern

If the flame spreads rapidly along the reflective surface or base fabric, it is considered non-compliant.

UL's principle is that materials must have the ability to "prevent the flame from spreading itself."

Overall Structural Stability

For example, some UL standards focus on:

• Whether reflective particles detach
• Whether the base fabric is completely torn
• Whether the product loses its function as a result

This is especially important for reflective tape, as it stores the "safety visibility function."

Practical Applications of Flame-Retardant Reflective Tape

Many users know that flame-retardant reflective tape is "safe," but few truly understand its value. In fact, these materials play a crucial role in many industries.

Firefighter Clothing and Rescue Suit

When firefighters enter a burning building, their clothing is likely to experience:

• Sparks
• High-temperature air
• Molten material splashes
• Reduced smoke visibility

If the tape is not flame-retardant, it may become a point of fire spread; if its reflectivity is unstable, it may affect team members' ability to quickly identify each other's positions.

Petrochemical Industry Work Clothes

Oil fields, drilling platforms, and chemical plants often have environments with flammable gases and oil mist.

Flame-retardant reflective tape can reduce the risk of secondary accidents caused by clothing being ignited by sparks.

Electrical Workers' Clothing

The high temperature generated by electric arcs and metal splashes can quickly heat clothing.

Flame-retardant reflective tape can provide additional protection in electrical accidents.

Miners' Clothing and Railway Engineering Clothing

These groups often work in low-light environments and need to simultaneously possess:

• Improved visibility
• Fire safety
• Durability

UL-certified flame-retardant tape can significantly reduce the risks in nighttime working environments.

From Ysmlite's manufacturing technology to the scientific procedures of UL fire resistance testing, and then to practical application scenarios, we can see that the value behind flame-retardant reflective tape is not just the value of a "tape," but a complete technological system centered around life safety.

In the future, the development trend of flame-retardant reflective materials will focus more on:

• Environmentally friendly flame retardants
• Halogen-free flame retardant systems
• More durable reflective brightness
• More washable structural stability
• Greater adaptability to extreme environments

For companies or purchasers who pursue safety and reliability, choosing a supplier with genuine technology and testing capabilities is the first step to obtaining stable quality. Ysmlite's deep expertise in the field of fire retardant reflective tape provides it with a solid foundation of experience in UL-certified products.