Underwriters Laboratories UL
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is a global safety certification organisation based in the United States. Its purpose is to test products and technologies for safety before they are introduced into the global marketplace.
Since its inception, UL has developed more than 1,500 safety standards. UL certification is a common mandatory requirement of insurance companies and code jurisdictions.
[edit] History
It has the oldest independent safety testing laboratory in the United States. The organisation began in 1894 as the Underwriters’ Electrical Bureau, which was a division of the National Board of Fire Underwriters.
It was founded by William Henry Merrill, an electrical engineer who had been sent on behalf of fire insurance underwriters to assess the safety of the World Fair's Palace of Electricity. In the process, Merrill performed numerous tests on the materials used in the construction of the building. As a result of Merrill’s experience, he recognised the growing need for this type of work and founded the organisation.
In 1903, UL published its first safety standard for tin clad fire doors. Three years later, it inaugurated its label service which certified specific items that met UL testing requirements.
[edit] Significance of tests
The results of UL testing verify that a representative sample of a product has been tested against specific criteria. These requirements are frequently based on UL's Standards for Safety. Once a product line has been tested and has successfully met this criteria, it will be given a UL (or ULC, Underwriters Laboratories Canada) mark to indicate its status.
[edit] Standard categories
UL has standards that cover the following categories:
- Building products.
- Electrical and electronic products.
- Industrial control equipment.
- Life safety products.
- Photovoltaic products.
- Plastic materials.
- Sustainability.
- Wire and cables.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- ASTM International
- CIBSE Case Study: Walgreens net zero energy drugstore.
- Construction Products Regulation CPR.
- Fire safety
- Fire safety design
- GREENGUARD Certification
- Testing, inspection and certification (TIC) market.
[edit] External resources
Featured articles and news
Protective construction clothing for women
It shouldn't be so difficult to find PPE that fits properly.
Pivoting infrastructure technology stands up to the test of time.
Report on the construction sector in Ireland
TASC/CIOB study looks at post-pandemic struggles and trends.
Revised targets for Carbon Budget 6
The Government announces recalibrated goals.
ECA proposes strategies for the present and the future.
Paul Morrell to lead independent review of the construction products testing regime.
Standard will help employers foster wellbeing and manage psychosocial risks.
The United Nations has approved the IFSS common principles
Global fire standards for safety of people and property.
An introduction to the 5 core principles of lean.
Civil engineers and environmental methods of construction
Can the profession use its skills to save the world from climate change?
How faulty science resulted in sanitation reform.
Conserving the Hilda Besse Building
Improving facilities, accessibility and overall appearance.
BSRIA IAQ topic guide published
Free download of TG 12/2021 available.
Electrotechincal mentors wanted
TESP works with The Youth Group to form skill sharing network.
Receive the Designing Buildings newsletter
Click the button to subscribe.