Adhesive works differently at cold temperatures—because moisture is pulled away when temperatures drop, floor tape applications in refrigerator storage or locations with uncontrolled temperatures may fail. For cold to below-freezing locations, such as food and beverage service walk-in coolers, unheated warehouse storage, loading docks, and entryways, choose floor marking tape rated for use at low temperatures to prevent premature failure of your taped lines and signs. Explore these top uses for floor marking tape and see how to properly mark visual cues in cold to freezing areas.
What Is Freezer Floor Marking Tape?
Freezer floor marking tape is an adhesive-backed industrial floor tape that is rated for use in cold to below-zero temperatures. The adhesive is formulated differently in order to facilitate a longer-lasting adherence even in cold environments. You can apply freezer tape in cold temperatures, and it is designed to remain in place even if the temperature fluctuates. Superior Mark® Freezer Tape features the same durable PVC construction and beveled edges as the tape you use in other areas throughout your facility but with a special adhesive formulation designed for maximum adhesion in cold conditions—the initial application can happen in temperatures as low as -10°F.
How Do You Apply Freezer Tape?
Our freezer tape includes an adhesive backing, and it is meant to be applied in the same way as our floor marking tapes. Ensure the temperature is greater than -10 degrees F and rising. Then, clean and mark your intended application area. Apply the freezer tape to your designated area, tamp the tape to activate the adhesive, then re-open the area to traffic with no drying or curing time required. The video below demonstrates the application process for our Superior Mark Floor Marking Tape, which can be used as a guide for installing our freezer-rated tape as well.
Does Freezer Tape Leave Behind a Residue?
Just like our floor marking tapes and signs, our freezer tape is designed to remove cleanly, without leaving behind any adhesive residue or bits of broken tape. If any small pieces of tape remain, you can press the adhesive backing of your removed tape to the debris, then lift it away easily. No chemicals or cleaners are required when removing old freezer tape from your floors or other surfaces, making it an ideal solution for creating visual cues in areas that get cold or freeze.
1) Keep Walk-In Freezers Organized
Food service locations, grocery stores, food distribution companies, and packing facilities require cold storage to ensure the quality and freshness of available products, but these areas aren’t exempt from required visual cues for safety and communication. Floor markings improve organization and productivity in these spaces, but regular floor marking tape isn’t designed for use in frigid, below-zero temperatures. This is an ideal location for industrial freezer tape for marking floors, doors, and walls. Uses in cold food storage locations include:
- Outlining keep clear areas to ensure exits are unobstructed by packaging materials, deliveries, or food items
- Designating storage locations for bins, crates, pallets, and boxes to ensure the freezer space is easy to access and use
- Visual cues for areas that must remain free of contaminants
- Reminders for food preparation requirements, such as notices to store raw ingredients properly or labels regarding stock rotation conditions
- Temperature requirement notices in doorways or near thermostats, including low- or high-temperature limits, “close door” reminders for temperature control, and listed humidity requirements
2) Apply Floor Markings in Unheated Storage Areas
Choose cold storage floor tape for marking aisles, directional cues, forklift restrictions, and emergency notices in warehouses or storage areas that don’t have climate control. While warehouses and industrial storage locations require safety cues to protect and instruct employees and visitors, unheated facilities in cold climates may be challenging to mark due to the floor tape adhesive failing. Use freezer-rated floor tape to create any warehouse safety cues necessary, including:
- Motorized vehicle traffic notices
- Pedestrian-only zones
- Emergency exit and egress areas
- Pallet placement cues
- Aisle numbering and identification
- 5S/LEAN Methodology visual cues
- Designated forklift, pallet jack, and equipment parking
3) Cold-Rated Floor Marking Tape for Loading Docks
Harsh conditions in industrial environments aren’t limited to traffic and product movement alone. Because loading docks are exposed to changing weather conditions—sun, rain, snow, and ice included—floor marking tape must withstand these elements. This means choosing floor tape with an adhesive rated for use in freezing temperatures, even if the location isn’t always cold. Use freezer floor marking tape, physical barriers, and visual cues as part of an effective warehouse safety strategy. Freezer tape may be used for:
- Marking loading dock edges
- Creating visual cues where elevation changes
- No idling reminders
- Restricted access notice
- “Keep Clear” requirements
- Easily visible exit and egress markings
Because loading docks have significant vehicle, forklift, and foot traffic, our freezer tape is designed with beveled edges meant to reduce the most common types of damage to tape applications. Floor marking tape and adhesive-backed signs can be used to create visual cues at the loading dock and in the warehouse, but pavement marking tape is an all-weather outdoor solution for designating truck lanes, providing directional cues, and posting reminders regarding parking.
4) Entryway Floor Markings
Building entrances may be exposed to low temperatures, as well as moisture, debris, and cleaning chemicals. While doorways see less extreme cold than freezers and loading docks, they are still exposed to the elements, which may lead to premature failure of non-freezer-rated floor marking tape. Because freezer tape applies as easily as the floor tape used inside warehouses, hallways, and production floors, it may save time—and budget—if you choose longer-lasting freezer tape. Freezer-rated floor tape can provide instructions for visitors and staff alike, such as:
- Reminders to register before continuing to a final destination
- Security checkpoint requirements and notices
- Directional cues and navigational assistance
- Parking lot number or zone reminders
- Offer information regarding required safety gear
- Designate restricted access areas
Covered walkways, parking garage entrances, and other areas exposed to the cold may be good candidates for freezer tape application, as well. Consider the floor surface before applying tape in outdoor locations, even in sheltered areas: Floor tape won’t stick to gravel, loose dirt, or very rough surfaces as the adhesive doesn’t bond as well. If you are unsure, perform a test using a free sample kit to determine whether freezer tape may be a good option for your building entry locations.
Floor marking tape is an ideal solution for improving safety in industrial locations, but freezing temperatures can reduce the efficacy of adhesive. To mark the floors in areas that see cold to below-freezing temperatures, choose freezer tape with an adhesive that’s specially formulated for use in these locations. For more information on visual cues for warehouse and industrial safety, explore our Resource Center.
