Safer, smarter, more sustainable data centers. The future is here.
Standard for GREENGUARD Certification Program for Chemical Emissions for Building Materials, Finishes and Furnishings
Standard for GREENGUARD Certification Program for Chemical and Particle Emissions for Electronic Equipment
Standard for GREENGUARD Certification Program for Chemical Emissions for Cleaners and Cleaning Maintenance Systems
Standard Method for Testing and Assessing Particle and Chemical Emissions from 3D Printers
Standard for GREENGUARD Certification Program for Vehicle Interior Air Quality
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Dirk Mueller, Director, Principal Engineering — Energy and Industrial Automation
Michael Jensen, Senior Product Manager — Power and Automation, Energy and Industrial Automation
Industrial additive manufacturing (AM) has been used for several years, but it continues to gain traction as more companies adopt the technology to produce complex parts with specific material properties for advanced manufacturing applications. By using a layered approach to build components directly from digital models, these systems enable complex designs while helping reduce material waste.
Industrial AM equipment includes large-scale 3D printers along with pre-processing and post-processing systems that support the entire production workflow. These polymer and metal 3D printing systems serve sectors such as manufacturing, aerospace and automotive, offering the ability to create lightweight, high-performance components. However, these technologies also introduce safety risks.
Industrial AM equipment builds parts layer by layer using technologies such as Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Stereolithography (SLA) and Powder Bed Fusion (PBF). These polymer and metal 3D printing systems often work with combustible metal powders, high-energy lasers and reactive materials, creating significant risks of fire, electrical shock and hazardous atmospheres. The equipment is now found in a wide range of facilities, including industrial machine shops, contract manufacturers, R&D laboratories, aerospace and automotive manufacturing plants, and medical and dental laboratories — supporting operations such as production of metal parts for aircraft and high-performance machinery, prototype development, tooling, dental components and more. Beyond the printers themselves, the ecosystem includes pre-processing equipment for material handling and preparation and post-processing equipment for curing, heat treatment and finishing — each introducing additional safety risks.
Recent advancements in equipment capabilities and cost reductions have accelerated AM technology adoption globally. Many jurisdictions are now seeing installations in manufacturing facilities across industries, making it important for code authorities to understand the safety risks and code requirements.
Industrial AM systems introduce hazards that differ from traditional equipment. Common risks include:
Real‑world incidents underscore these hazards. In 2024, a fire in a San Francisco office building originated in its 3D‑printing laboratory,[1] highlighting that AM areas can present significant fire hazards without proper safeguards. In another case, a dust collector explosion at a metal 3D printing facility in Shanghai[2] occurred when water contacted aluminum alloy powder inside the collector, triggering a hydrogen‑generating reaction that led to a deflagration that killed two workers and injured two others. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)[3] cited a metal 3D printing shop where reactive metal powders were accumulating in the workspace and ventilation and safeguards were lacking — creating fire and deflagration hazards.
The International Fire Code (IFC) and NFPA 1 Fire Code include specific provisions for industrial AM equipment. Both model codes require that this equipment be listed and labeled in accordance with UL 2011, the Outline of Investigation for Machinery, or approved for the application based on a field evaluation conducted by an approved agency.
UL 2011 addresses the fire and explosion hazards associated with combustible powders and dusts used in powder bed additive manufacturing systems, incorporating the relevant requirements in NFPA 484 (Combustible Metals), NFPA 652 (Fundamentals of Combustible Dust), NFPA 654 (Combustible Particulate Solids) or NFPA 499 (Hazardous Locations), as applicable. The requirements also consider ignition risks from flammable liquids and vapors used in certain AM processes, with guidance tied to NFPA 497 (Classification of Flammable Vapors and Gases) and NFPA 30 (Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code).
Industrial 3D printers are considered industrial machinery and are therefore subject to the installation requirements in Article 670 of the National Electrical Code® (NEC®). Evaluation to UL 2011 addresses safety considerations and incorporates code requirements for electrical equipment used in industrial settings.
When reviewing plans or conducting inspections, code authorities should verify that industrial AM equipment is either listed in accordance with UL 2011 by an approved certification body (testing laboratory) or has documentation of an approved field evaluation in jurisdictions that have adopted IFC or NFPA 1 as well as the NEC®. This helps code authorities determine whether industrial AM systems comply with applicable fire code requirements and supports operational safety in industrial settings.
Additional hazards may arise across the material-handling chain, including powder storage, transfer mechanisms, printing operations, thermal processes and post‑processing steps such as depowdering or finishing. When flammable gases, vapors, combustible dusts, fibers or flyings may be present in the area surrounding the machinery, the installation is also subject to the applicable provisions of NEC® Articles 500, 501, 502 and 503, depending on the nature of the hazardous material encountered.
UL Solutions certifies (lists) AM equipment under the product category Machinery (GPNY) for compliance with UL 2011, the Outline of Investigation for Machinery. Guide information and certifications (listings) can be viewed on Product iQ®. Product iQ is available at no cost but requires a one-time registration. Once registered, entehttps://www.ul.com/services/additive-manufacturingr GPNY in the search field.
To learn more about UL Solutions’ services for AM and 3D printing equipment, visit our Additive Manufacturing service page.
What aspect of your role gives you a real sense of meaning or purpose?
“Being a people leader. It is important to not just focus on the numbers. Behind each number is a human being who has their own life and situations outside of work. Every one of us has strengths and weaknesses. I always try to focus on building the strengths of my team rather than trying to eliminate their weaknesses. The most important part of my job is to support my team and apply their strengths. I think approaching each employee as an individual is important.”
What has changed the most about you since you first joined UL Solutions?
“As a strategic marketing leader, adopting a mindset centered on change and growth has not only enhanced my own performance but has also helped my team better align with organizational and business objectives, driving impactful results.”
As physical security systems become more integrated and intelligent, evaluating the performance and safety of each component is critical. UL 294, the Standard for Access Control System Units, provides a standardized framework for testing and certifying access control devices, helping manufacturers meet applicable requirements for reliability and function.
Service
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At UL Solutions, we understand the importance of maintaining the safety and functionality of your fire detection systems. Our specialized testing capabilities determine whether your systems meet industry standards and can help your heat alarms operate at peak performance.
NFPA 72[10], the National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, provides requirements for the inspection, testing and maintenance of heat sensors. Chapter 14 of NFPA 72 specifically addresses these requirements, covering various types of heat detectors, such as fixed temperature, rate-of-rise, rate of compensation, restorable/non-restorable line and spot-type technologies. Annual testing for heat detector sensors is required to be conducted either using a listed and labeled (certified) heat source or in accordance with the manufacturer's published instructions.
For fixed-temperature, non-restorable spot-type heat detectors, all devices should be replaced 15 years after initial installation. Alternatively, NFPA 72 allows for two out of every 100 of these heat alarms to be laboratory tested to demonstrate performance as a representative sample of all installed devices. When this approach is used, tests must be repeated at intervals of five years thereafter.
| Component | Initial Acceptance | Periodic Frequency | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed-temperature, rate-of-rise, rate of compensation, restorable line, spot type (excluding pneumatic tube type) | X | Annually (see 14.4.4.5) | Perform heat test with a listed and labeled heat source or in accordance with the manufacturer’s published instructions. Assure that the test method for the installed equipment does not damage the nonrestorable fixed-temperature element of a combination rate-of-rise/fixed-temperature element detector. |
| Fixed-temperature, nonrestorable line type | X | Annually | Do not perform heat test. Test functionality mechanically and electrically. Measure and record loop resistance. Investigate changes from acceptance test. |
| Fixed-temperature, nonrestorable spot type | X | See Method | After 15 years from initial installation, replace all devices or have 2 detectors per occurs on any of the detector removed, remove and test additional detectors to determine either a general problem involving faulty detectors or a localized problem involving 1 or 2 defective detectors. |
| Nonrestorable (general) | X | Annually | Do not perform heat tests. Test functionality mechanically and electrically. |
| Restorable line type, pneumatic tube only | X | Annually | Perform heat tests (where test chambers are in circuit), with a listed and labeled heat source or in accordance with the manufacturer’s published instructions of the detector or conduct a test with pressure pump. |
UL Solutions also offers comprehensive services for testing fire alarm heat detectors, supporting a more sustainable approach to heat detection inspection, testing and maintenance. Heat detectors removed for laboratory testing in accordance with NFPA 72 can be shipped to our laboratory in Northbrook, Illinois. After testing, UL Solutions provides a detailed test report documenting the performance of the detector. This report includes identification of the individual devices tested to show the chain of custody and evidence of results.
We are committed to providing reliable and efficient testing services to help you evaluate compliance with NFPA 72 and support the safety and functionality of your heat detection systems. For more information, please contact us.
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To pursue that mission, we are guided by four Core Values: Safety, Integrity, Respect and Growth. They are the foundation of UL Solutions’ culture.
Solve with science
Through our deep technical expertise, we tackle our customers’ toughest problems while advancing the science behind them.
To accomplish this, we empower our employees to work safely in the pursuit of a safer, more secure and sustainable world. Learn more
Deepen trust
Every action we take must uphold and advance our history of impartiality without compromise — the trust of our employees, our customers, our stakeholders and the public depends on it. Learn more
Value all perspectives
An inclusive environment brings out our best thinking and work. We therefore invite diverse points of view, listen to understand and form deep relationships, within and outside of our organization. Learn more
Shape our future
We pursue lasting growth and lead by example to stay ahead of emerging trends in an ever-changing world. Through this pursuit we aspire for employees to thrive, customers to innovate and shareholders to win. Learn more
These values guide us as we pursue our ambition to serve as our customers’ most trusted science-based safety, security and sustainability partner. We strive to prevent or reduce loss of life and concentrate our efforts and resources on public safety. Meanwhile, we endeavor to charge fair prices that allow us to meet our obligations, sustain our growth and invest in safety science and education.
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Our comprehensive services include certification of personnel, products, facilities, processes and systems to applicable standards and requirements. We can help you identify and close regulatory gaps, confirm compliance, and maintain your certifications. We can assist in sustaining best practices across your organization and value network.
Service
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As energy requirements and expectations change, understand the performance of your buildings. We offer comprehensive services to support energy efficiency and occupant health in existing buildings, new construction projects and major renovations.[11]
Green building rating systems, such as LEED, give buildings points for water conservation measures. From rainwater catchment to water efficiency and EPA WaterSense, we offer services that can help you demonstrate your commitment to the environment.
Vague definitions and undefined procedures can make it difficult to qualify and quantify waste reduction. Our Zero Waste to Landfill and Landfill Waste Diversion claim validations recognize your efforts to manage waste in environmentally responsible ways.
Certified smart home energy management systems allow users to control the use of products and devices from a centralized management system. We can evaluate whether your smart appliances meet the requirements of official smart energy programs.
As energy requirements and expectations change, understand the performance of your buildings. We offer comprehensive services to support energy efficiency and occupant health in existing buildings, new construction projects and major renovations.[11]
Green building rating systems, such as LEED, give buildings points for water conservation measures. From rainwater catchment to water efficiency and EPA WaterSense, we offer services that can help you demonstrate your commitment to the environment.
Vague definitions and undefined procedures can make it difficult to qualify and quantify waste reduction. Our Zero Waste to Landfill and Landfill Waste Diversion claim validations recognize your efforts to manage waste in environmentally responsible ways.
Certified smart home energy management systems allow users to control the use of products and devices from a centralized management system. We can evaluate whether your smart appliances meet the requirements of official smart energy programs.
Offering
Compliant Workforce Qualification software unifies training management, qualification tracking, content creation and audit reporting in a validated environment. You can assign training by role, monitor qualifications in real time, automate recurring tasks, author or adapt courses and output audit‑ready reports with full transparency.
Yes. ComplianceWire® is an off-the-shelf software-as-a-service (SaaS) offering hosted by UL Solutions. This platform is a 21 CFR Part 11 and EU Annex 11 validated system. Validation documentation is provided for each major release and full audit trails to support inspection readiness.
ULTRUS® ComplianceWire® contains commonly requested regulatory reports, provides complete audit trails and provides quick access to validation documentation.
UL Solutions provides 400+ life sciences courses, many co‑developed with the FDA, and ULTRUS® Course Create lets organizations augment modules or build SCORM‑compliant courses tailored to company needs and branding.
ComplianceWire® is proven at enterprise scale, supporting over 3.3 million active learners across more than 700 sites in 130+ countries, with more than 800 million training completions recorded. It is available in multiple languages and offers Europe-based data hosting to meet regional requirements.
Yes. ComplianceWire® can be configured to manage and track qualifications for contractors, suppliers and clinical trial roles, extending quality and compliance controls beyond manufacturing into your wider supply chain.
ComplianceWire® provides API suites for curricula and user groups that support automation of assignments and user management. Teams can also use builtin capabilities such as rolebased assignments, scheduled reports and targeted training pushes to reduce manual effort. Typical implementations include integrations for single sign-in (SSO), human resources and electronic document management systems (EDMS).
We test sprinklers sampled from field installations as a service to inspection authorities, the sprinkler industry, the insurance industry and property owners
Providing expert testing and certification of sprinklers to check the operating performance of both wet- and dry-type sprinklers in residential, commercial and industrial settings.
Our fire safety testing and certification capabilities have made us one of the most recognized and respected third-party certification bodies in the industry.
Helping to ensure the integrity of your fire, smoke and gas devices.
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Stand out in a crowded market of smart products, systems and software. We offer deep industry knowledge and strategic support for software, connected technology and buildings, and artificial intelligence (AI) tools.
Our third-party verification around AI performance can help reassure users that this functionality supports reliable and ethical operation without causing unintended harm to individuals or society.
The AI model transparency program delivers third-party insights to verify how an AI-enabled system makes decisions.
The usage of AI is skyrocketing, but concerns about data privacy are growing. We verify whether appropriate security measures exist to protect data privacy.
“Engineering Progress – The Revolution and Evolution of Working for a Safer World” is a comprehensive, historical account of UL Solutions from its earliest days to current day UL Solutions, documenting our organization’s fascinating and inspirational story.
This compelling read highlights the collaborative role UL Solutions played in shaping safety in the U.S. and nations around the world.
While history alone falls short of capturing the individual contributions of the tens of thousands of outstanding employees at UL Solutions over the decades, “Engineering Progress” documents and illustrates our shared achievements and struggles. In reading “Engineering Progress,” you will be able to see how UL Solutions common mission and shared values have made a positive impact on society while working for a safer, more secure and sustainable world.
Questions? Email the team at EngineeringProgress@ul.com.
Leverage UL Solutions' expertise in the commercial and professional lighting industries for essential safety and performance checks, including connected lighting.
Bring your innovative lighting products to market with UL Solutions’ expert safety testing and certification for lamps, fixtures, components and systems.
Our core services – performance testing, energy efficiency testing and claims verification – have flexible options to meet your requirements.
Discover how UL Solutions supports global market access for lighting products with compliance, certification and regulatory expertise.
UL Solutions provides comprehensive connected lighting services and testing for cybersecurity, interoperability, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), DALI-2 for smart lighting systems and more.
Leverage UL Solutions expertise in residential and consumer lighting for essential safety and performance evaluations, including connected lighting technologies. We help accelerate your path to global market access.
Contact UL Solutions for all your street lighting and infrastructure lighting safety, reliability and performance testing needs.
Learn more about testing and certification for transportation and automotive lighting.
Connect with UL Solutions to discuss your lighting for health and circadian lighting projects.
Supporting you along the entire product development and automotive supply chain for an optimized time to market.
Drive confidence in electric vehicle battery safety, reliability and performance by partnering with UL Solutions as your preferred testing services provider.
We launched our latest Battery Enclosure Material Screening service offering to provide a standardized approach for electric vehicle material suppliers and end-users.
The first test method at UL Solutions to help screen electric vehicle battery enclosure material.
Learn more about UL Solutions' testing, certification and advisory services for automotive materials, components, and wire and cable at our Querétaro laboratory.
This on-demand webinar covers hazards associated with a thermal runaway events and methods of evaluating safety.
Service
Let our team of experts help advance your sustainability and clean energy solutions.
Expert insights to turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities
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“My passion is helping customers develop and implement strategies and understand how to translate the noise into something real and meaningful.”
“Consumer demand for more sustainable products is only going to increase. There are tremendous commercial growth opportunities for manufacturers, brand owners and retailers who take the lead on sustainable product development.”
testing awards
Explore the latest UL 9540A:2025[12] updates on thermal runaway testing for battery energy storage systems (BESS) with expert insights from UL Solutions.
Answering marketplace questions about evolving ESS safety standards and recent updates to UL 9540A.
Accelerate your UL 9540A large-scale fire testing for battery energy storage systems with UL Solutions.
Explore the latest UL 9540A:2025[12] updates on thermal runaway testing for battery energy storage systems (BESS) with expert insights from UL Solutions.
Answering marketplace questions about evolving ESS safety standards and recent updates to UL 9540A.
Accelerate your UL 9540A large-scale fire testing for battery energy storage systems with UL Solutions.
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Dwayne Sloan is a built environment and fire protection global leader with 35+ years at UL Solutions. He is passionate about helping the built environment community rise to the challenge of balancing sustainable, energy efficient design with maintaining building and fire safety. Dwayne is deeply involved in standards and code development and represents UL Solutions as a leader on a wide array of standards committees, including the Standards Council of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and International Fire Safety Standards Coalition.
A global leader in applied safety science, UL Solutions transforms safety, security and sustainability challenges into opportunities for customers in more than 110 countries. We deliver testing, inspection and certification services, plus software and advisory offerings that support our customers’ product innovation and business growth.
UL certification Marks serve as a recognized symbol of trust in our customers’ products and reflect an unwavering commitment to advancing our safety mission.
We help our customers innovate, launch new products and services, navigate global markets and complex supply chains, and grow sustainably and responsibly.
From the adoption of electrification to the enablement of 5G and new mobility, we look toward new frontiers. Our science is your advantage.
Throughout a building's lifecycle, UL Solutions conducts inspections to determine a building’s life safety and security systems are in compliance with international code requirements.
This powerful software is purpose-built for optimizing microgrids and empowers building stakeholders to optimize renewable energy systems to achieve site-specific goals.
We evaluate performance, safety, regulatory and code alignment, and suitability for intended applications of containerized BESS — covering technical, environmental and operational system aspects.
Battery containment enclosures tested and certified according to UL 1487, the Standard for Battery Containment Enclosures, can improve user confidence and advance market acceptance.
Add renewable power on site to increase energy resilience and achieve sustainability certifications like LEED. We offer testing and certification for these systems to help customers demonstrate compliance with safety standards.
Benefit from positive aspects of low-GWP refrigerants while addressing regulators' concerns about increased flammability through testing, advisory and training support from UL Solutions.
Resource Data and Maps
Asset Analytics
Project Prospecting
Vice President, Principal Engineering, Industrial
UL Solutions offers comprehensive testing, certification and advisory services for network infrastructure, IT hardware, cybersecurity and smart building systems.
Our testing, inspection, certification and advisory address risks facing modern facilities, from fire and extreme weather to physical and cybersecurity threats.
Our services and software support modular data center certification, system integrator training, sustainability, market access, supply chain transparency and more.
We offer testing and certification for liquid and air cooling technologies to help you demonstrate compliance, and Marketing Claim Verification to help you build trust.
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Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text
We offer comprehensive services for energy storage systems, including safety and performance testing to global standards, custom research and testing, witness testing, and field evaluations.
We offer comprehensive services for energy storage systems, including safety and performance testing to global standards, custom research and testing, witness testing, and field evaluations.
We help improve the safety of products and the systems containing those products by navigating the complex technical challenges of today’s functional safety landscape.
As renewable energy becomes central to your power strategy, we deliver site-specific forecasts and long-term climate impact assessments to help you anticipate conditions and optimize grid operations.
