UL News

Kidde Commercial, an industry renowned company in fire and life safety for over a century, announces the launch of the Optica Duct Smoke Detector, which features a revolutionary new design, specifically created to address unique HVAC System smoke detection challenges, while reducing nuisance alarms. Optica’s new Duct Smoke Detector design is built to address the moisture and dust challenges found in the HVAC environment, and provide best-in-class detection that customers can trust. Optic...

Johnson Controls, the global pioneer for smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, announces the new Tyco QRS-2 Quick Release Switch, an electronic accelerator that improves the response time of Tyco dry pipe and preaction valves within fire sprinkler systems.  The QRS-2 switch uses proven electric release technology to initiate the operation of valves within four seconds after sprinkler activation. An increased valve response time means water is released more quickly through the pipes an...

Fire fighters are being urged to take extra precautions when approaching structure fires involving residential energy storage systems (ESS), an increasingly popular home energy source that uses lithium-ion battery technology. The findings are part of an exhaustive report released by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and UL Solutions, based on a two-year research project examining the characteristics of fires resulting from the overheating of lithium battery systems stored in...

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) announces the launch of the modernization effort to develop a new, interoperable fire information and analytics platform, known as the National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS), for the American fire and emergency services. This effort is being carried out as a partnership between USFA and the US Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate (S&T). National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) The goal...

UL Solutions, a pioneer in applied safety science, in partnership with the FPA, opened a new fire resistance testing laboratory for building products and systems, doors and windows, fire stopping, joint systems, and related fire resistance products. Located at the FPA’s testing laboratory in Blockley, Gloucestershire, the facility features fire resistance test furnaces, funded by UL Solutions, that will benefit manufacturers from the UK, Europe, and worldwide who require independent fire...

For Fire Prevention Month this October 2022, the Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI), part of the non-profit safety science organization - UL Research Institutes, has released new videos combining more than 10 years of data with custom 3D modeling and real-world footage from the organization’s full-scale fire experiments. The first video in the series shows how a home fire grows and spreads, underscores the dangers of smoke, and encourages everyone to have and practice a fire escape pla...

The Advancing Mass Timber Construction Conference will be held in Boston and feature Mighty Fire Breaker (MFB) President - Steve Conboy who will speak on a variety of fire prevention and elimination topics including adding coating science to lower risk premiums, increase worker safety and create a potential carbon trade. Mass Timber Movement The Mass Timber Movement is a growing, worldwide effort to build tall structures out of wood rather than steel and concrete for environmental reasons, and...

The Association for Specialist Fire Protection (ASFP) will once again be hosting the ASFP Pavilion on stand FI1224 at FIREX International 2022, at London Excel from 17 May - 19 May, 2022. It will feature a Learning Zone, the ASFP Pavilion aims to help visitors to gain a greater understanding of the essential role of passive fire protection within the current built environment.  ASFP will be showcasing its range of training courses, guidance documents, and membership services and offering a...

The Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Fire Safety Research Institute courses are focused on coordinated ventilation and suppression tactics for structure fires. Course focus  Each course focuses on a unique occupancy type, covering: The science of fire dynamics. The findings from the experiments in the Study of Coordinated Fire Attack Utilizing Acquired Structures (Coordinated Fire Attack Study), a UL research study supported by an Assistance to Firefighters Grant. Tactical consideratio...

Available now, these Underwriters Laboratories' (UL) Fire Safety Research Institute courses are focused on coordinated ventilation and suppression tactics for structure fires. Each course focuses on a unique occupancy type, covering: The findings from the experiments in the Study of Coordinated Fire Attack Utilizing Acquired Structures (Coordinated Fire Attack Study), a UL research study supported by an Assistance to Firefighters Grant. The courses The 3 courses are: Impact of Ventilation...

Johnson Controls, the globally renowned company for smart, healthy and sustainable building solutions, is pleased to announce new UL 162 and ULC-S564 equipment listings for CHEMGUARD Non-Fluorinated NFF 3x3 UL201 Alcohol Resistant Synthetic Foam Concentrate. CHEMGUARD NFF 3x3 UL201 Concentrate provides fast and effective fire suppression on most Class B hydrocarbon and polar solvent fuel fires. It passes the UL 162 synthetic foam concentrate protocol and the UL 162 AR-AFFF test protocol for Typ...

The threat and consequences of fire in any building are serious, but historic structures pose a particularly complex challenge for the people and systems charged with protecting them. Not only do these buildings tend to be complex and varied in their design and construction, the contents will often include furnishings and artefacts of high monetary and historic value, the loss of which would be permanent and costly to the heritage. Safeguarding the occupants, fabric and contents of these buildi...

The Viking Corporation announced the release of the new VK4621 and VK4921 quick response and standard response concealed pendent sprinklers with a K-factor of 5.6 (80.6). The new commercial sprinklers are designed for installation on concealed pipe systems where the appearance of a smooth ceiling is desired. In addition to the new sprinklers, Viking has announced a durable and lightweight installation wrench and protective cap removal tool. “The installation process is significantly impro...

Life safety devices, such as detectors and beacons, need to be as dependable as possible. While manufacturers may state that their products meet the industry agreed standards, the small print may say otherwise and require the meeting of more complex certification. For multi-sensors, this is of particular importance. In the face of constant technological innovation, multi-sensors have been hailed as one of the most advanced forms of life safety detection. Defined by BS 5839 as “a fire dete...

M-Fire Holdings, LLC announces additions to the proven Mighty Fire Breaker® product line designed to defend property and roadway right-of-way from devastating wildfire events. Applying Mighty Fire Breaker® Fire Treated Retention Mulch eliminates the threat of wildfire along exit corridors, ensuring a new level of safety for both fire professionals and evacuating residents. Tools for wildfire management Mighty Fire Breaker® wildfire protective mulch technology was created to assis...

Johnson Controls announces the launch of two new TYCO® pressure control valves for fire protection systems: the TYCO® Model RV-1A Pressure Relief Valve and the TYCO® Model PRV-1A Pressure Reducing Valve. The new valves offer simple, low-maintenance solutions for controlling and maintaining optimal water pressure within commercial fire protection systems. Maintains a relatively constant system pressure The TYCO® RV-1A Pressure Relief Valve automatically relieves excess pressure...

Beyond keeping the industry updated on the latest updates on the most important topics, the FIA is actively involved in these topics through its work with Government, councils and committees. The section aims to serve as a collection of the FIA’s involvement with a variety of topics and will be continuously updated moving forward with links to the relevant news story where available. This will allow one to see what FIA have done and are doing to improve the industry for the members. COVID...

Fire & Safety Specialists (FSS), a globally renowned company in fire suppression and safety equipment services, has added the new Amerex Z-Series high performance fire extinguisher to its range of fire suppression equipment. Amerex Z-Series fire extinguisher The new Amerex Z-Series features a proprietary, zinc-enriched coating, which resists corrosion for up to 12 years in severely salt-contaminated environments, resulting in improved reliability and minimal repair and maintenance costs ov...

Johnson Controls announces the release of the new TYCO® Model CWS Concealed Window Sprinkler, designed to provide an alternative to a two-hour fire-resistance-rated glazing assembly. The 5.6 K-factor CWS is UL and C-UL Listed as a specific application automatic window sprinkler and can be used in accordance with the International Building Code as an alternative to interior fire partitions or exterior wall assemblies, as evaluated in ICC ESR-2397. The CWS is a concealed pendent vertical sid...

Johnson Controls addressable fire alarm notification appliances are the first in the fire protection industry to receive the UL Verified Mark for their innovative self-test function. The UL Verified Mark validates that TrueAlert ES self-test technology accurately tests and confirms the operational status of compatible notification appliances. The revolutionary feature provides a non-disruptive appliance testing solution for commercial buildings and eliminates costly after-hours device test...

PenoPatch has recently achieved the CE Mark through UL International, ETA 19/0833. FSi PenoPatch has been tested to protect where small services penetrate either the internal rigid or flexible walls of the building. FSi’s PenoPatch is a putty based penetration sealing device for small cables and conduits in flexible and rigid walls. The PenoPatch is available in 60mm and 100mm diameter disc’s, it has also been tested to EN 1366-3. Key Product Points: Easy installation Up to EI60...

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) announced Roger Allard, Robert G. Bill, Gunnar Heskestad, and Hsiang-Cheng Kung as the winners of 2019 Phillip J. DiNenno Prize. The award and $50,000 in prize money were presented at NFPA’s Conference & Expo in San Antonio. The prestigious DiNenno Prize recognizes groundbreaking innovations that have had a significant impact in the building, fire and electrical safety fields. The prize is named for the late Philip J. DiNenno, the greatl...

The Viking Corporation, a global provider in fire protection and life safety systems, has announced the expansion of its line of foam fire suppression systems. Viking now offers complete, integrated low-expansion foam solutions for the suppression of flammable liquid fires. Protected hazards include fuel storage, refineries, aircraft hangars and helipads, logistics centers, incineration plants, military installations, and jetty loading areas. Range of features Viking’s foam system compon...

The Viking Corporation, a global provider in fire protection and life safety systems, has enhanced its line of concealed pendent sprinklers with the introduction of new stainless steel cover plates. The new stainless steel flat cover plates are available for Viking’s Mirage® Model VK462 and Model VK538 Concealed Pendent sprinklers, and the Freedom® Model VK494 Residential Concealed Pendent sprinkler. Both large (3-5/16”) and small (2-3/4”) diameter cover plates are off...

The Viking Corporation, a global provider in fire protection and life safety systems, has announced their new 8.0 K-factor Light and Ordinary Hazard Standard Coverage Dry Horizontal sprinklers with expanded UL Listings. Models include Standard Response glass bulb, Quick Response glass bulb, and Quick Response fusible link designs. Due to their newly-designed deflectors, these sprinklers are UL Listed for installation with the deflector from 4 to 12 inches below the ceiling. This feature gives c...

The Viking Corporation, a global provider in fire protection and life safety systems, has received an FM Approval for its Model VK481 quick response (FM Approved as standard response) concealed, horizontal sidewall sprinkler. This standard coverage sprinkler, which is also cULus Listed for Light and Ordinary Hazard applications, is fully concealed behind a flat cover plate, making it an ideal choice for applications with demanding aesthetic requirements. Horizontal sidewall sprinklerThe VK481...

Viking Plastics has updated their UL Listing for BlazeMaster CPVC piping for use in unfinished basements in accordance with NFPA 13D. BlazeMaster CPVC from Viking is now Listed for exposed composite I-Joists and solid wood joists up to 16” in depth. Additionally blocking requirements have been expanded to 40 ft., and sprinkler spacing has been expanded to 16 x 16 ft. By allowing deeper joist heights, and relaxing the blocking requirements, more of today’s homes can be protected by C...

Viking SupplyNet, a global provider in the distribution of fire protection and life safety systems, announces a new strategic partnership with FlexHead® Industries to offer the complete line of FlexHead® flexible sprinkler connections and accessories. “FlexHead® has been an innovator in the fire protection community for many years,” said Cary Nicol, Vice President-Sales for Viking. “We are excited about the opportunity to grow our business in this space and provide...