October 28, 2010
Northbrook, Ill., Oct. 28, 2010 - Underwriters Laboratories (UL) announces the launch of the ULtimate Fire Wizard, an Internet-based tool that allows architects, designers and code authorities to quickly identify fire-resistance-rated assembly designs that meet their project specifications.
For nearly 60 years, architects, designers and code authorities have relied on UL fire-resistance-rated wall, floor ceiling, roof ceiling, and column and beam designs for code-compliant installations. More than 1,500 designs are currently available through UL's Fire Resistance Directory or Online Certifications Directory.
"We recognized that the designs took a lot of time to locate and the search could become a daunting task for less experienced people just entering the profession," said Chris Hasbrook, vice president and General Manager of UL's Building Materials & Systems Industry. "Given the value of fire-resistance-rated designs, UL developed the Wizard as a way to help architects, designers and code authorities to leverage the information commonly found in our directories and streamline the process for identifying the designs that meet project specifications."
The online Wizard incorporates an intuitive process for entering design parameters, and even allows comments to be embedded in the search summary to assist in the design and material procurement process. It uses a simple three-step process to significantly reduce the time needed to identify suitable designs. A user first enters design parameters on the Wizard's convenient pull down menus, then views designs that meet the search parameters before selecting the designs that best meet project specifications. A search summary can be viewed and printed out for future reference or as part of the construction plan package.
To access the ULtimate Fire Wizard go to https://www.ul.com/firewizard.