June 22, 2021
August 30, 2021 updates
The fourth edition of UL 8802, Outline of Investigation for Germicidal Systems, introduces a new annex to the Standard that addresses the use of motion detectors as a safeguard for UV germicidal systems.
June 22, 2021 updates
The third edition of UL 8802, Outline of Investigation for Germicidal Systems, introduces a new Part IV to the Standard. This section addresses retrofit kits that facilitate replacement of the light source of a General Lighting Service (GLS) luminaire with an ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diode (LED) emitter assembly. For this product type, risk of UV overexposure is mitigated by the exclusive use of UV LED sources that are classified as “risk group exempt” in accordance with criteria in IEC 62471, Photobiological Safety of Lamps and Lamp Systems. The third edition also includes updates to other areas based on feedback from industry and field experiences.
UL issued the first edition of UL 8802 on Sept. 1, 2020, to address UV germicidal systems that expose surfaces within an unoccupied area with UV energy where the exposure dose would otherwise pose a risk of personal injury to occupants.
The second edition appeared on March 1, 2021. It combined first-edition content with two Certification Requirement Decisions (CRDs) for UL 1598, the Standard for Luminaires, that were established to address safety requirements for other UV germicidal equipment types. The CRDs provide a framework for addressing personal injury hazards from UV overexposure; UL 1958 addresses risks other than UV overexposure, such as shock, fire and personal injury.
The requirements in UL 8802 continue to be limited to fixed equipment and systems intended for installation in nonresidential locations.
Design innovations for UV germicidal products continue to develop, requiring additional standards work. UL is committed to continued efforts in this field. We appreciate that you have chosen UL as your certification provider. Contact us with any questions concerning this bulletin.
February 11, 2021 updates
UL announced Jan. 6, 2021 that a 2nd edition of UL 8802, Outline of Investigation for Germicidal Systems, will be published by late February 2021.
UL 8802 was issued Sept. 1, 2020, to address ultraviolet (UV) germicidal systems that expose surfaces within an unoccupied area with UV energy where the exposure dose would otherwise pose a risk of personal injury to occupants.
Earlier in 2020, UL also published two Certification Requirement Decisions (CRDs) for UL 1598, the Standard for Luminaires, as follows:
Annex L CRD: Germicidal Equipment, such as upper room ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) systems, intended to expose surfaces within occupied areas
Annex M CRD: UV Emitter Assemblies as system components for use with germicidal systems.
The UL 8802 Outline and the two UL 1598 CRDs were established to address safety requirements for germicidal equipment and systems that the industry developed in response to COVID-19.
Together, these three documents provide a framework for addressing personal injury hazards from UV overexposure with other risks (shock, fire and personal injury other than UV overexposure), managed using UL 1598. These requirements are limited to fixed equipment and systems intended for installation in nonresidential locations.
Design innovations for products covered under these three documents continue, requiring additional standards work in several areas such as safeguard applications, safety related electronic circuits (SRECs), and design convergence where one system can operate in either occupied or unoccupied settings.
Normally, the two CRDs would be considered by the UL 1598 Standards Technical Panel (STP) through the Council for Harmonization of Electrotechnical Standards of the Nations in the Americas (CANENA) harmonization process. This arrangement would require additional attention and collaboration between the UL 1598 STP and the coming UL 8802 STP for a cohesive approach.
However, to facilitate the additional development effort and future STP work, the new second edition of UL 8802 merges the first edition with the two UL 1598 CRDs. UL expects to publish this new edition of UL 8802 by late February 2021. The new edition is expected to make the safety requirements more accessible by providing a single document for stakeholders to follow. We anticipate the STP for UL 8802 will include some current UL 1598 STP members and other stakeholders with interest and expertise in UV equipment and systems.
We appreciate that you have chosen UL as your certification provider. Contact us with any questions concerning this bulletin.
September 23, 2020 updates
UL has issued UL 8802 Outline of Investigation for Germicidal Systems. The outline covers requirements for the safety evaluation of germicidal systems where surfaces in an unoccupied area are exposed to ultraviolet (UV) energy at an exposure dose that would otherwise pose a risk of personal injury to occupants. System components include:
- UV emitters (equipment that produces visible light or UV radiation)
- UV switches and sensors
- Other controls acting as site or equipment safeguards on UV systems
The UL 8802 Outline of Investigation is to be used in conjunction with CSA C22.2 No. 250.0/UL 1598, the Standard for Luminaires to address applicable risk of shock, risk of fire and risk of personal injury due to factors other than UV overexposure. The outline includes additional requirements to minimize the risk of personal injury due to UV overexposure. Installation and operating instructions are considered an integral system component. UL 8802 includes requirements for proper labeling and instructions, along with documentation for personal protective equipment and training for instructed operators and qualified service persons. Safeguards of both the equipment and the site, combined with criteria for safe shutdowns, are also required.
This outline of investigation only addresses permanently mounted, or fixed, equipment intended to be installed and operated in non-residential locations. Equipment that emits electromagnetic energy with wavelengths greater than 700 nanometers or less than 200 nm are not addressed in this document.
Germicidal systems evaluated using this new outline of investigation are covered under UL Certification Category Number (CCN) IFHH.
As with all UL Standards, current UL subscribers have electronic access to the outline. To purchase a copy of the UL 8802 Outline of Investigation, visit https://www.shopULstandards.com.
*The current publication date reflects the most recent announcement.