Floor marking: how to choose the right one

In Italy, Legislative Decree 81/08 (Annex XXVIII) requires that, where the use of the premises makes it necessary, vehicle traffic routes are marked with continuous lines in a clearly visible colour, preferably white or yellow depending on the floor, and that obstacles and danger points are marked with yellow/black or red/white bands angled at about 45°. Signs follow Annex XXIV: red for prohibitions, yellow for warnings, blue for mandatory actions, green for escape and first aid. Other colours (for example blue for raw materials, green for finished goods, red for scrap) are not set by law: they are an internal code to define and apply consistently.

Thickness, material and adhesive differ, and so does the traffic they withstand. Low Duty (0.16 mm) is for pedestrians and pallet trucks and for temporary markings. Standard, Eco, Grip, Rough Ground, Cold Performance and the LongLife ESD tape («ESD Protected Area») also withstand forklifts: choose by floor (smooth, rough, cold store, EPA) and requirements (recycled material, slip resistance). Heavy Duty (1.3 mm) is the only line for heavy forklifts, Vector™ the only one that resists forklifts turning on the spot. Outdoor (2.8 mm) is for outdoor use, up to forklifts. The fabric tape is for temporary marking. For the vinyl + PET ESD tape, with ESD protection on adhesive and surface, ORGATEX does not state the permitted traffic.

Clean and degrease the floor, unroll the tape straight from the dispenser and press it down with the pressure roller, without overlapping markings. Application temperature: Standard, Eco and Heavy Duty between 18 and 25 °C; Low Duty, Vector™ and Outdoor at least 12 °C (Outdoor always with LongLife Primer); Rough Ground and Grip at least 20 °C; Cold Performance even down to -20 °C. After application ORGATEX indicates about 12 hours for the adhesive to bond fully.

The floor must be even, clean and free of dust, oil and grease. First clean thoroughly, then degrease the application strip with LongLife Cleaner. Remove old markings with the scraper and adhesive residue with LongLife Remover. On critical surfaces, such as porous or dusty concrete, LongLife Primer increases adhesion; outdoors it is always required.

Yes. According to ORGATEX, LongLife markings can be removed without residue using LongLife Remover. Markings are lifted with the LongLife scraper, 1200 mm long so you can work standing up, with a 125 mm blade and 3 spare blades; adhesive residue is dissolved with the Remover. On delicate floors test it in a hidden spot first.

Adhesive marking has no drying time: tapes and symbols are applied without chalk lines or special equipment and the area can be used straight away (the adhesive bonds fully in about 12 hours). When the layout changes it is removed without residue with LongLife Remover, and colours stay standard and consistent in repeat orders. Choose the line by traffic and floor: if in doubt, we will recommend it.

Yes: LongLife tapes and symbols are stated to be resistant to abrasion and washing; for the symbols machine washing is explicitly declared too. After application it is best to wait the roughly 12 hours the adhesive needs to bond before the first machine wash.

Yes, on request. ORGATEX makes LongLife Individuell tape in 50, 75 or 100 mm with custom colours, symbols or QR codes, and custom shapes in any form, size, colour and material: also with anti-slip surfaces, adhesives for rough floors or photoluminescent materials. Send us the drawing and quantities: we will prepare a quote with delivery times.

Yes. Send us a floor plan or a few photos of the areas to be marked or made safe and tell us how they are used (traffic, vehicles, floor, stairs, exits): we will recommend the right products, with colours, formats and quantities. For larger sites or special situations we can consider a site visit on request.

Standard, Eco, Vector™ and Heavy Duty are for smooth indoor industrial floors: concrete and epoxy resin, Standard and Eco also stone and metal. Cold Performance is for concrete, screed and metal. Rough Ground is made for rough or textured floors: raw concrete, paving blocks, anti-slip MMA coatings, tiles. Grip suits smooth and textured floors, Low Duty screeds, MMA coatings and smooth tiles. The fabric tape adheres to clean surfaces such as metal, plastic or coated surfaces. Outdoors, Outdoor goes on asphalt, concrete and paved surfaces, also rough or uneven; LongLife Modul L corners are fixed with anchors on concrete, asphalt or paving blocks, even uneven or oily ones.

Yes, with the right products. For aisles, loading areas and walkways on asphalt or concrete there is LongLife Outdoor (codes LGOD50, LGOD75 and LGOD100, white -02 or yellow -04): 2.8 mm polyurethane, reflective and anti-slip even when wet, for pedestrians, pallet trucks and forklifts. For outdoor locations there are LongLife Modul L corners (LGMOD-L), fixed with anchors. Low Duty also suits sheltered outdoor areas and the fabric tape temporary marking; the other lines are for indoor use. Outdoors LongLife Primer is always required and edge sealing protects against moisture.

You can use pre-cut pieces – 45° and 90° corners (Standard), T and L pieces (Standard, Vector™, Heavy Duty, Cold Performance), crosses (Standard and Vector™ Rounded) – or cut the tape with the stainless steel LongLife cutting template, which guides 90° and 45° cuts on 50, 75 and 100 mm widths. For 10 pallet locations there is the marking kit (L corners, straight pieces and A4 windows); on uneven floors or outdoors, LongLife Modul L corners fixed with anchors. ORGATEX recommends not overlapping markings.