What is Red Anti-Slip Tape?

Red anti-slip tape combines the universally understood fire safety and danger signalling of the colour red with the physical slip resistance of a silicon carbide grit surface. Under ISO 7010, BS 5499 and the Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996, red is specified for prohibition and fire safety marking — fire extinguisher locations, fire exit door surrounds, prohibition zones and emergency stop points. Red anti-slip tape applies this safety colour convention to floor and step surfaces, marking step edges on fire escapes, floor exclusion zones around fire equipment, and prohibited access areas while simultaneously providing anti-slip grip.

Red is also widely used in industrial and commercial environments as a colour-coded floor marking system — red zones denoting stop points, danger areas, defective goods holding areas and areas immediately adjacent to hazards. The silicon carbide grit surface ensures that anyone entering or working near these red-marked areas also has physical anti-slip protection on the floor surface itself.

Technical Specifications

50mm vs 100mm

Key Features and Benefits

• ISO 7010 and BS 5499 red — fire safety colour standard — red is the internationally recognised colour for fire safety equipment locations and prohibition marking. Red anti-slip tape aligns step edge and floor zone marking with these established safety colour conventions.
• Colour-coded floor management — many UK workplaces operate a floor colour coding system (red = danger/stop, yellow = caution, green = safe/go, blue = mandatory). Red tape slots directly into these systems as the danger or prohibition zone marker.
• Silicon carbide grit — same performance as premium black/yellow tape — grip performance is identical to the rest of the anti-slip tape range. The colour is different; the safety level is not.
• Fire escape stair marking — fire escape stairs are a critical safety route and must remain safe and navigable in emergency conditions including poor visibility and panic. Red anti-slip tape on step nosings provides both grip and clear step edge visibility.
• Peel-and-press — immediate installation — no tools, no adhesive, no waiting. Clean the surface, peel, press, apply firm pressure and the tape is ready to use immediately.

Where to Use

• Fire escape stairs — step nosing anti-slip and emergency exit route marking
• Fire equipment zones — floor marking around extinguishers, hose reels and alarm points
• Factory and warehouse floor coding — red zones around machinery stop points and hazardous areas
• Prohibition zones — no-entry areas, restricted access, pedestrian exclusion zones near vehicles
• Emergency stop floor markers — in front of emergency stop buttons and safety switches
• Sports and leisure — floor boundary marking in sports halls combined with anti-slip grip
• Food processing — colour-coded floor zones for hygiene area demarcation
• External fire exit steps — waterproof construction suits outdoor fire escape routes

How to Apply

1. Clean the surface. Remove all dust, grease and moisture. Degrease metal and tile surfaces with isopropyl alcohol. Allow to dry completely.
2. Measure and cut. Measure required length and cut with sharp scissors.
3. Peel the backing. Peel the release liner from one end.
4. Press firmly. Apply from one end, pressing down along the full length.
5. Apply firm pressure throughout. Use heel of hand or roller across the full tape width. Apply sustained pressure for 30 seconds per section.
6. Seal edges (outdoor/wet areas). Apply anti-slip tape edge sealer along long edges to prevent water ingress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is red anti-slip tape the correct colour for fire escape stairs?

Red is the appropriate colour for fire safety applications under ISO 7010 and BS 5499. Using red tape on fire escape stair nosings creates a consistent safety colour coding between the step edge marking and other fire safety equipment in the building. However, yellow is also widely used on fire escape stairs for DDA step edge visibility. Both are legitimate; the choice depends on your building's colour coding scheme and any specific fire safety signage strategy in use.

What is the difference between red anti-slip tape and red hazard tape?

Standard red hazard tape (barrier tape) is a flat, non-adhesive or lightly adhesive tape used for temporary exclusion zones — it provides visibility but no anti-slip function and no permanent bond. Red anti-slip tape has a permanent pressure-sensitive adhesive and a silicon carbide grit surface — it bonds permanently to floors and steps and provides physical grip alongside the visual colour marking.

Can I use it on metal fire escape stairs?

Yes. The adhesive bonds well to clean, degreased metal surfaces. For external metal fire escape stairs subject to weathering and cleaning, apply anti-slip tape edge sealer along the long edges after installation to prevent water working under the adhesive.

Why Buy From Stair Nosings UK?

• Safety and stair accessories specialist with a complete colour range of anti-slip tapes
• Silicon carbide grit — higher specification than budget alternatives
• Both standard widths available in red from one supplier
• UK stock for fast dispatch
• Expert team with safety marking and compliance knowledge

Select your width above — 50mm for stair nosing strips and emergency door thresholds, 100mm for floor zone marking and equipment exclusion areas.