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Architectural services FAQ

• What is the best way to locate UL fire-resistance rated assemblies, such as walls, floor-ceilings, columns, etc?

  
  The ULtimate Fire-resistance Design Wizard will help you quickly locate fire-resistance-rated designs using common search terms and hourly ratings. In a few steps you can find, view, and print out the designs that meet your needs. Learn more.

• Where else can I find UL rated fire resistive designs, systems, assemblies or products?

  
  Fire resistive designs, systems, or assemblies are found in the UL Fire Resistance Directory or the Online Certifications Directory.

• How do I locate an appropriate UL rated fire resistive design, system, or assembly in the UL Fire Resistance Directory?

  
  The UL Fire Resistance Directory is divided into three volumes:

  • Volume 1 contains results of tests on the basic columns, beams, floor/ceilings, roof/ceilings, and walls. Each construction is identified by an alpha-numeric design number.
    
  • Volume 2, which includes Volumes 2A and 2B, contains the results of tests on electrical circuit protective systems, thermal barrier systems, fire rated grease and ventilation duct assemblies, joint systems, perimeter fire containment systems, and firestop systems. Again, each construction is identified by an alpha-numeric system or assembly number.
    
  • Volume 3 contains product certifications of dampers, fire doors, fire door frames and glazing materials. Each certification is index under the manufacturer's name within the appropriate product category.

• What are the steps involved in using and understanding the UL Fire Resistance Directory?

  When first using the UL Fire Resistance Directory, it is suggested you review the relevant Guide Information. The Guide Information for each product area contains many essential details you need to know to understand what follows. It typically contains:

  • Information on the equipment, materials or systems included in the product area or category.
  • Intended use, restrictions or applicable supplemental information.
  • Standards used to evaluate products under the product area or category.
  • Information on the UL Listing or Classification Marking that applies to the product area or category.

  The Guide Information for the basic columns, beams, floor/ceilings, roof/ceilings, and walls is found near the beginning of Volume 1 of the directory under the heading "Fire Resistance Ratings - ANSI/UL 263 (BXUV)". Included in this Guide Information is a table identifying the significance of the alphanumeric characters of the design numbering system. For example, this table will identify that U300 series of designs describes wall assemblies constructed of wood studs protected with gypsum board, lath, and/or plaster.

  To find a suitable design, you need to understand:

  • What makes up a design
  • Basic information about the particular application
  • The relevant code requirements
  • The numbering system used to identify these designs.

  At that point, it is a matter of reviewing the designs within the appropriate series and selecting one most appropriate for your application.

  Likewise, Volumes 2A and 2B contains Guide Information for electrical circuit protective systems, thermal barriers, fire rated grease and ventilation ducts, joint systems, perimeter fire containment systems, and firestop systems. These certifications are found under the headings "Electrical Circuit Protective Systems (FHIT)", "Fire Resistive Duct Assemblies (HNKN)", "Thermal Barrier Systems (XCLR)", "Joint Systems (XHBN)", "Perimeter Fire Containment Systems (XHDG)" and "Through-Penetration Firestop Systems (XHEZ)".

• How do I locate the appropriate UL rated fire resistance rated design, system or assembly in the UL Online Certifications Directory?

  
  There are two ways to find designs. For fire-resistance rated assemblies, such as walls, floor-ceilings, columns, etc use the ULtimate Fire-resistance Design Wizard. Alternately the UL Online Certifications Directory allows you to search for listings using a variety of methods, such as manufacturers name, model number, UL file number, etc. To use this database simply click on the Certifications link on the left of our web pages, or see http://database.ul.com/cgi-bin/XYV/template/LISEXT/1FRAME/index.html. For instructions on the use of this database, see the Quick Guide.

• How can I obtain an engineering judgment from UL accepting a modification to an existing UL fire resistance rated design, system, or assembly?

  
  Any changes to existing designs, systems, and assemblies must be submitted to UL by the sponsor of the design. UL will conduct an engineering study at the request of the design sponsor only. Typically, the design sponsor is the manufacturer of one of the critical design components.

• How do I obtain assistance from UL in answering questions regarding the details of a UL design, system, assemblies, or constructions?

  
  UL offers technical assistance relating to UL listed products, designs, systems, assemblies, and constructions. Assistance includes help in understanding:

  • The use of the UL product directories and Online Certifications Directory
  • How to read UL listing information 
  • The use of UL guide information in conjunction with product listings  
  • Clarification of product listings

  Since UL cannot show preference of one product over another, we are unable to recommend any specific product.
  
  For technical assistance relating to fire protection certifications published in the Fire Resistance Directory, the Fire Protection Equipment Directory, the Building Materials Directory, and the Roofing Materials and Systems Directory, contact an Architectural Services representative:

  Architectural Services
  T:: 1-877-854-3577, option 5 or extension 49590
  F:: 1-847-574-4017
  archservices@us.ul.com
  
  For technical assistance relating to all other product certifications, contact a Customer Services representative:
  
  Customer Services:
  T:: 1-877-354-3577, press #
  F:: 1-847-407-1395
  cec.us@us.ul.com
  
  For technical assistance relating to sustainability and green building design, contact a UL Environment representative:
  
  UL Environment:
  T:: 1-888-485-4733
  F:: 1-360-817-6263
  ulenvironment@ulenvironment.com

• Does UL provide code interpretations?

  
  No. The final interpretation of a particular code section is always the decision of the local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). The AHJ has tremendous responsibility, which is placed on the AHJ by the local and state legislators when the legislature adopts codes specifying that a product or installation is only acceptable when approved. Approved is defined as being acceptable to the AHJ. As such, it is suggested that you contact the code authority having jurisdiction over the project with questions about an interpretation of the code section in question.

  The International Code Council (ICC) provides non-binding code interpretations of their codes. More information on these interpretations can be obtained from the ICC website.

   

• Can UL provide installation instructions and manuals for UL listed products?

  No, the distribution of required installation instructions and manuals for UL listed products is the responsibility of the product manufacturer. Many manufacturers make these manuals available on their websites.

• Does UL offer any training courses for architects?

  Yes, we offer training through our affiliate, UL University. UL University offers customiaed training through a combination of facilitated workshops and online training. We offer more than 1,500 courses globally, covering a wide range of topics such as our energy efficiency program, fire resistive construction, the fire performance of structural engineered lumber, and Pilot Credit 43: Certified Products.
  
  For further useful FAQs, please see the Code Authorities FAQs.

• Can you explain the new LEED pilot credit?

  A pilot credit is part of the USGBC "testing ground" for new credits that could ultimately be added to the LEED requirements for green building. Under the new Certified Products pilot credit, products with accompanying third-party verified claims, third-party mulit-attributes performance standards, life-cycle assessments, or third-party verified Environmentasl Product Declarations contribute to LEED credits. To achieve the credit, products must demonstrate that 10 percent of the total value of all non-structural materials and products as compared to the total value of the project meet one of the following:
  
            Product environmental calims are verified by a third-party, 
            Product is certified to a third-party multi-attribute performance standard,
            Product manufacturer completed a life-cycle assessment and produced
                 accompanying LCA report, or
            Product manufacturer completed a third-party verified Environmental
                 Product Declaration for the product.
  
  Because there are multiple validation methods that vary in complexity, the value of materials and products is weighted according to the level of third-party validation provided. For example, a product that obtains a single attribute claims validation has less value than a product that can provide a more comprehensive third-party verified Environmental Product Declaration or multi-attribute certification. 

• Why is this new pilot credit significant to the sustainable building community?

  Pilot Credit 43: Certified Products provides a mechanism for market transformation as it awards points for improving performance, transparency, and evaluation of the environmental impact of products and materials.

• What can UL Environment do to help architects take advantage of Pilot Credit 43: Certified Products?

  UL Environment and its affiliate Terrachoice, who runs the EcoLogo program, are among the first organizations whose services help building products qualify for the recently released Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Pilot Credit 43: Certified Products. Projects earn points that contribute to meeting the LEED requirements. Qualified products can contribute extra innovation points toward LEED certification. This new pilot credit was announced on June 16, 2011. To read the full announcement, click here.

• Does UL have a webinar to provide additional information on Pilot Credit 43: Certified Products?

  Yes, UL University is offering training to help architects, designers, builders, manufacturers, LEED accredited professionals, and other stakeholders to better understand the new materials and resources pilot credit in the LEED program. This course will provide participants with an in depth overview of the new pilot credit and explain how they can obtain credit. We anticipate the course will provide LEED accredited professionals, architects, and designers continuing education credits through the Green Building Certification Institute and The American Institute of Architects.
  
  A free webinar is scheduled 1:00 PM Central Time on June 28, 2011. The webinar will be recorded and available as an archive. To sgn up, please go to www.LEEDProductCredit.com