Foil tapes play a crucial role in a range of demanding industries, from HEVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) to Aerospace, Nuclear, and Entertainment. These industries require tapes with exceptional performance under extreme conditions, whether it’s high temperatures, fire-resistance, or exposure to challenging environments.

Here are some key tips to ensure you select and use the right foil tape for your application.

  1. Ensure Compliance with Fire Safety Standards

When working in industries where fire safety is paramount, choosing a foil tape that meets stringent fire resistance classifications is non-negotiable. Look for tapes that conform to a recognised specification, like NF-P92-503-505 “M1”, BS476 parts 6&7, or EN13501. This guarantees that the tape has low combustibility, making it a safer choice for applications in confined or hazardous environments.

  1. Select a Tape with High Tack for Extreme Conditions

In industries like aerospace and nuclear, where materials are exposed to sub-zero temperatures or rapid temperature fluctuations, choosing a foil tape with high tack is essential. High tack ensures that a bond is formed more quickly to the substrate.  It is vital that the tape maintains a high level of tack at very low temperatures to guarantee that it works reliably in freezing conditions. This is particularly important in HEVAC applications, where air ducts and insulation materials must be securely sealed despite temperature changes.

  1. Opt for a Strong Release Liner to Prevent Shredding

A common frustration when applying foil tapes is dealing with shredding release liners. A high-quality release liner should remain intact during removal, ensuring a smooth and efficient application process. This is particularly beneficial in fast-paced environments such as aerospace assembly lines or entertainment productions, where quick and precise tape application is required.

  1. Fire Resistance is Critical for Safety

Industries like nuclear and aerospace cannot compromise on fire resistance. Fire-resistant foil tapes act as a protective barrier, preventing the spread of flames and reducing the risk of catastrophic damage. In the entertainment industry, where tapes are used on stage sets and lighting fixtures, fire resistance ensures compliance with safety regulations while protecting both crew and equipment.

  1. Choose Tapes with High-Temperature and Low-Temperature Resistance

Exceptional temperature resistance is a must for foil tapes used in industrial settings. The ability to perform reliably in both high-heat and freezing conditions ensures long-term durability and effectiveness. For example, in aerospace applications, foil tapes must withstand extreme temperature variations encountered during flight, while in HEVAC, they must endure continuous exposure to heating and cooling cycles.

  1. Consider the Surface and Application Requirements

Not all foil tapes adhere equally well to different surfaces. Ensure the tape you select is suitable for use on metal, insulation materials, plastics, and composite surfaces. Additionally, consider whether you need a tape that conforms easily to irregular surfaces, as is often required in nuclear facility maintenance or entertainment stage setups.

  1. Ensure UV and Weather Resistance for Outdoor Applications

If you are using foil tape in outdoor environments, ensure it is UV-resistant and weatherproof. This is particularly relevant in aerospace and nuclear industries, where materials are exposed to harsh environmental conditions.

Final Thoughts

Selecting the right foil tape for challenging industries is essential for ensuring safety, efficiency, and durability. By choosing a tape that meets fire resistance standards, offers high tack in extreme temperatures, and features a strong release liner, you can enhance performance and reliability in even the most demanding environments. Always prioritise quality and compliance to achieve the best results in your industry.

 


Behind every seamless stage production, high-energy concert, and immersive film set, there’s an army of professionals working tirelessly to bring the vision to life. But with this comes a host of challenges—tight schedules, complex setups, safety risks, and ever-evolving creative demands. In this high-stakes environment, one simple yet indispensable tool stands out: premium adhesive tape.

The entertainment industry is fast-paced and demanding, requiring precision, adaptability, and reliability at every turn. Here are some of the key challenges professionals face:

1. Time-Sensitive Setups and Breakdowns

In live events, theatre productions, and film shoots, time is money. Stage crews need to assemble and dismantle setups quickly, often in dimly lit or high-pressure environments. Delays can be costly and disruptive.

2. Cable Management and Trip Hazards

From power cables to sound and lighting equipment, managing cables is crucial for both functionality and safety. Loose or tangled cables can cause accidents, interfere with performances, or lead to costly damages.

3. Marking Stages and Set Boundaries

Whether it’s defining actor positions, labelling props, or guiding camera movements, precise stage marking is essential for a smooth production. However, standard tapes often leave residue or fail to hold up under heavy foot traffic.

4. Harsh Environments and Rigorous Demands

Sets and stages are exposed to various elements—heat from stage lights, humidity, rough handling, and outdoor conditions. Standard tapes can fail under these conditions, leading to reapplications and potential mishaps.

5. Aesthetics and Clean Removal

Productions demand perfection—this includes keeping sets, stages, and equipment looking pristine. Adhesive residue, peeling tape, or tape that won’t stick properly can compromise the professional appearance of a production.

How Premium Tape Solves These Challenges

At Advance Tapes, we understand the unique needs of the entertainment industry. Our premium range of adhesive tapes, including the iconic GAFFA® tape, is designed to tackle these challenges head-on. Here’s how:

✔ Fast, Easy Application and Removal

Our tapes are engineered for quick tearing, strong adhesion, and clean removal—saving valuable time during setup and breakdown.

✔ Superior Cable Management

With high-tack adhesion and excellent conformability, our tapes securely bundle cables, keeping them neatly in place without leaving residue when removed.

✔ Durable Stage Marking

Our high-visibility, abrasion-resistant tapes ensure clear stage markings that withstand heavy foot traffic while peeling off cleanly when the job is done.

✔ Weather and Heat Resistance

Designed to perform in extreme conditions, our tapes hold up under heat, humidity, and outdoor environments, ensuring reliability in any setting.

✔ Professional Aesthetics

 

Available in a range of colours and finishes, our tapes blend seamlessly into any production design, ensuring a polished, professional look on stage and screen.

Don’t let unreliable tape hold back your production. Get in touch with the team at: sales@advancetapes.com, to find out how we can help.

 

Cassandre is currently visiting the UK from France while she completes an internship with the Marketing team here at Advance Tapes! She’s enjoying her time here so much, we asked her to share some of her story.

 

 

How long have you worked for Advance?

For just over one month. I have almost finished my six-week internship, but I don’t want to leave!

 

 

How have your responsibilities or day-to-day work changed from when you first started?

At first I started with smaller and easier tasks, but I’ve taken on more responsibility and been able to work on much longer projects to help out the Marketing team.

 

 

If you could switch to any career you wanted, what would it be?

I would love a job that allows me to travel around different countries and visit new places. My mum is a Purchasing Manager and she does that a lot, so that might be a good job for me too.

 

 

Who’s the funniest person you work with?

I can’t choose between Alicia and David (the other two members of the Marketing team for most of the time I’ve been here). We have had a lot of fun.

 

 

If you won £10 million, what would you do with it?

Firstly I would share it with my family, and after that I would put a lot of it towards charities and good causes. If I had that much money I’d want to have a positive impact and make a difference.

 

 

What are you best known for at work?

Probably my “bloopers” – I tend to be clumsy and accidents always seem to happen around me. Mostly they’re harmless, but if one thing happens I know there are going to be more.

 

 

What’s one of your interests that we might not know about?

I am really interested in languages. In addition to French and English, I can also speak Chinese and Spanish, plus some Japanese, and I am learning Korean.

 

 

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

I would choose the power to travel through time, because I’d love to go back and see different places throughout history.

 

 

What’s your idea of success in your job?

When someone asks you to do something and they’re confident that you know how to do it well. You don’t have to explain yourself, they can just trust you.