Underwriters Laboratories - UL &
Underwriters Laboratories Canada - ULC

Bulletins, Recalls, & Technical Service Notes:

Disclaimer: CPSC & UL®/ULC® are not affiliated with the Fire Protection Technicians Network, and do not endorse this website.

ULC STANDARDS UPDATE (CAN/ULC-S524-14 - Includes Amendment 1) FOR WALL-MOUNTED HEAT DETECTORS!

Toronto, Ontario - January 24, 2017 - During the 7th meeting of the Working Group, the issue of wall mounting fire detectors was discussed and further clarified to address concerns regarding installation of heat detectors in this configuration.  Sentence 8.2.3.2 of CAN/ULC-S524-14 (Amendment 1) is going to be amended as indicated in red below:

“Spot type fire detectors may be installed on a wall between 100 mm and 300 mm from the ceiling, measured to the top edge of the detector, only if prescribed for this application in the manufacturer’s published installation instructions. (Refer to Figure 6.)”

It’s important to note that this change won’t be incorporated into the Standard until the next version is officially published (sometime in 2018), but it does reflect how this Clause should be formally interpreted and applied.  As of the date of this update there are NO heat detectors being sold in Canada that have been tested or are are listed for use in a wall-mounted configuration.  Currently the ONLY exception to this rule applies to heat detectors installed in an elevator pit.  Please reference the Fire Alarm System Device Installation Guide available from our TOOLS page for more information.  You incur significant risk of having the installation rejected by the Verifier if you wall mount a heat detector.

ULC STANDARDS BULLETIN (CAN/ULC-S536-13)!

Toronto, Ontario - July 18, 2014 - Effective January 1st, 2015, ULC will be requiring all listed alarm companies to comply with the new changes in the referenced Standard (issued in October 2013) or risk losing their certification.  Please review the 2014-03 Certification Bulletin (in English) or 2014-03 Bulletin de Certification (in French).

ULC STANDARDS BULLETIN (CAN/ULC-S537-13)!

Toronto, Ontario - July 18, 2014 - Effective January 1st, 2015, ULC will be requiring all listed alarm companies to comply with the new changes in the referenced Standard (issued in October 2013) or risk losing their certification.  Please review the 2013-04 Certification Bulletin (in English) or 2014-04 Bulletin de Certification (in French).

UL FINDS MORE COUNTERFEIT SPRINKLER HEADS!

Northbrook, Illinois - December 31, 2014 - UL has issued another warning bulletin over counterfeit sprinkler heads being manufactured and sold in the (largely) South Asian market.  So far, none of the heads they’ve identified have appeared in North America, but service technicians & sprinkler fitters must remain vigilant none-the-less!

UL ISSUES WARNING OVER COUNTERFEIT SMOKE DETECTOR!

Northbrook, Illinois - August 8, 2014 - UL has issued a special bulletin warning about a counterfeit Hochiki America Corp smoke detector.  The model number is SLV-24N.  This unit has NOT been properly tested by UL and bears a label with the word “foreign” misspelled on it.  The text of the label reads:  “Assembled in the U.S.A. of U.S. and Foreigh Parts”.  Smoke detectors with this model number and label should be immediately removed from service and returned to the original seller.  You can read more about this at http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1396014/ul-warns-of-counterfeit-smoke-detector. 

ULC STANDARDS BULLETIN (CAN/ULC-S561-13)!

Toronto, Ontario - July 25, 2013 - Effective September 30, 2013, ULC will be requiring all listed alarm companies to comply with the new changes in the referenced Standard (issued in April 2013) or risk losing their certification.  Please review the 2013-11 Certification Bulletin.

DATA CABLE RECALL!

Rockville, Maryland - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has issued a bulletin regarding some data cabling sold primarily to homeowners through Home Depot.  Even though the product is marked as being tested by UL, it does not meet the required fire rating.  Home Depot is offering a full refund for the return of the product.  Please visit the CPSC website for further information on what you should do.

MORE COUNTERFEIT SPRINKLER HEADS SURFACE!
March 2013 - UL/ULC have issued their latest bulletin which details the presence of a new counterfeit sprinkler head in the North American Market.  Sprinkler installers and service technicians are cautioned to be aware that one of the more popular TYCO branded side-wall heads may not be what they purport (namely a properly tested and Listed sprinkler head).  You can read more about this latest concern by visiting the UL/ULC website.

Images are courtesy of UL/ULC®

COUNTERFEIT SPRINKLER HEADS!
Northbrook, Illinois - UL/ULC have issued a warning regarding counterfeit sprinkler heads bearing a fraudulent Tyco part number and UL mark. The heads are manufactured by Migo International Trading Company in China. Distributors, installers, technicians and regulatory authorities in the United States and Canada are advised that the letters "TYCO" and "UL" are both stamped in an area where these marks DO NOT APPEAR on the legitimately manufactured product. The model number of the affected sprinkler head is T-ZSTZ-15 distributed in both upright and pendant configurations. The press release can be viewed HERE!

Thermal Sensor Alert (March 2008):
The product has a label bearing the name Sentry Imports and is marked with an unauthorized ULC Mark that consists of the letters ULC in a circle, the word "Listed" and one of the following descriptions:
Issue No. 3005C SEN-245A 135°F
A limited quantity of authorized units were manufactured prior to January 1994. Products produced after January 1994 are counterfeit and not authorized to bear the ULC Mark. You can read more here.

Fire Extinguisher Agent Special Alert (June 2009):
UL has issued an alert regarding fire extinguishing agent sold under the brand name Fire Blockade by Working Chemical Solutions, Inc. The agent is NOT UL Listed as indicated on the manufacturer's label. You can read the actual news release from UL here. You can also read our News Update and the latest News (April, 2012) HERE!

CAN/ULC-S524-06 Amendment (February 2011):
ULC has announced an Amendment to the Standard for Installation of Fire Alarm Systems which takes effect immediately. It provides clarification of several clauses and corrects some example diagrams in the Appendix. Please ensure that you familiarize yourself with the amendments (particularly if you are engaged in installing a fire alarm system or verifying one!). You can read more HERE!

Technical Support Contacts:

SENTRY IMPORTS:
c/o Hampton Industries
110 Donnacona, Suite 505
Dollard des Ormeaux, Quebec H9B 3H1
Telephone: 514-823-0123

FIRE BLOCKADE (US):
Working Chemical Solutions, Inc.
1070 Hinson Rd
El Dorado, Arizona 71730-8079
Telephone: 870-863-9398
Toll Free: 1-866-992-4367
Website URL: workingchemicalsolutions.com

FIRE BLOCKADE (Canada):
Orion Fire Distribution Ltd.
16924 58th Avenue
Surrey, BC V3S 8P1
Telephone: 604-551-1141
Facsimile: 604-576-8678
E-Mail: info@orionfiredistribution.com
Website URL: fireblockade.com