What is UL (Underwriters Laboratories)?

UL (Underwriters Laboratories) is an independent safety certification organization that tests and evaluates products to ensure they are safe and perform as intended.

Definition

UL (Underwriters Laboratories) is an independent safety testing and certification company. They create standards and then test and list products, systems, and materials against these standards for compliance with accepted levels of safety and performance.

You see UL listed on electrical appliances, fire-safety systems, building materials, and mechanical items utilized in building construction and manufacturing processes. Building products that require UL certification for use within the building construction sector include fire-rated assemblies, electrical products, heating and air conditioning equipment, wiring, alarm systems, and others.

Purpose

The goal of UL standards and certification is to increase safety, mitigate risk, and increase the predictability of products under their anticipated uses. The application of UL testing ensures products are up to certain safety requirements before the product is installed and put into use.

In the construction industry, UL Listed or UL certified products give builders, engineers, inspectors, and building owners a basis on which to confirm that the products being installed and systems being put in place meet a certain recognized standard for safety. This standard will mainly be with regard to electrical safety and fire resistance of materials, though UL standards may also benefit a regulatory aspect or decrease liability.

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Examples of Use

To conform with building codes and maintain adequate fire separation between rooms, the contractor installs a UL-listed fire-rated wall assembly.
The electrician subcontractor chooses to use UL-certified components such as circuit breakers and wiring to conform with code and inspection standards.
A mechanical system uses UL-tested smoke and fire dampers to help control fire and smoke spread through HVAC ductwork.

Related Terms

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Fahrenheit is a system for measuring temperature in which water reaches its freezing point at 32°F, while 212°F marks its boiling point.

Mantle

A mantle is a shelf built above a fireplace that adds both function and style to a room. It’s most common usage is for displaying decorative items.

Notes

UL stands for Underwriters Laboratories, a safety organization established in 1894.
UL certification does not guarantee product quality or performance in every condition, but it verifies compliance with specific safety standards.
Many construction products are required or preferred to be UL-listed to satisfy building codes and inspection standards.
UL standards are widely recognized across North America and globally for safety and compliance.

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