Flame retardant plastic sheeting- Q & A
Clear Fire Retardant Polyethylene- Where can I find it?
Question: Where can I find clear polyethylene plastic?
Answer: In order to make polyethylene fire retardant, a fire retardant additive must be added to the plastic to make it fire retardant/ resistant. That makes the plastic look a little milky white.
Fire Retardant Canopy's That The Fire Marshal Will OK
Question: I sell products at a local swap meet. Recently the fire marshal came by and told me I have to have a Fire Retardant Canopy. Do you have any fire retardant plastic that I can use to make a canopy that the fire marshal will approve? I need to provide proof that it meets the necessary specs.
Answer: Yes, we have several options for you. All of these recommendations have the words, "fire retardant" printed right on the film. You may chose ASFR-6 which is an anti-static fire retardant film. We can also issue you the Fire Retardant Certificate, certifying the plastic has passed the necessary fire test. We have had customers who didn't need an entire roll, so they sold the plastic to other vendors and got theirs for free!
What makes your plastic "fire retardant"?
What Makes Your Plastic "Fire Retardant"? 🔥🛡️
When choosing fire-retardant plastic sheeting, it’s important to understand what makes it fire-retardant, how it works, and why it’s critical for safety. At Global Plastic Sheeting, we offer high-quality fire-retardant plastic sheeting designed to meet industry standards and fire safety requirements. But what exactly does "fire-retardant" mean, and how does it differ from standard plastic? Let’s dive in.
🔥 What Does "Fire Retardant" Mean?
A fire-retardant plastic is designed to resist ignition, slow flame spread, and reduce fire hazards. Unlike regular plastic, which can melt, ignite, and fuel a fire, fire-retardant plastic contains special additives or chemical treatments that reduce its flammability.
While no plastic is completely "fireproof," fire-retardant plastics are engineered to meet strict fire safety regulations, making them safer for construction, containment, and industrial applications.
🛡️ How Does Fire-Retardant Plastic Work?
Fire-retardant plastics are manufactured with chemical additives that inhibit combustion in one or more of the following ways:
✔ Flame Suppression: Prevents the plastic from sustaining a flame.
✔ Heat Resistance: Withstands high temperatures before softening or melting.
✔ Self-Extinguishing Properties: If ignition occurs, the material automatically stops burning when the flame source is removed.
✔ Reduced Smoke & Toxic Emissions: Helps limit harmful fumes, improving safety.
🔥 What Makes Our Plastic Fire Retardant?
At Global Plastic Sheeting, we engineer fire-retardant plastic sheeting to meet strict safety standards for industrial, commercial, and residential applications. Our materials are tested and certified to meet fire safety classifications, including:
✅ NFPA 701 – Fire-retardant standard for plastic used in public spaces.
✅ ASTM E84 (Class A or B) – Measures flame spread and smoke development.
✅ UL 94 – Flammability rating for plastic materials.
✅ California Fire Marshal Approved (where applicable).
Each of these classifications ensures that our plastic meets stringent fire resistance criteria, providing peace of mind in high-risk environments.
Burning question: Black Polyethylene vs. Clear Polyethylene
I was recently asked if black polyethylene burned hotter than clear polyethylene. I thought this was both a very good question, and kind of interesting. Pretty sure I knew the correct answer, I decided to contact a couple of engineers in the polyethylene industry to confirm my suspicions. Since carbon black is the substance used to make black polyethylene black in color, and making black poly Fire Retardant is the most difficult of all the colors, one might just think that black polyethylene burns hotter than clear or other colors. According to a Sr. Engineer with Raven Industries -The truth is that the color additives, including the carbon black do not affect the burning temperatures of the poly. I doubt we will get this one on Mythbusters any time soon, but still feel like this was a worthwhile question, with a bit of a surprise answer. By Lee Hinsley
