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The Code Authority® Newsletter – March 2026

The Code Authority® newsletter provides timely updates from UL Solutions on topics of interest to code authorities responsible for safety in the built environment. Explore this month’s articles on updated product safety requirements and trends from UL Solutions experts.

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March 9, 2026

 

Access our catalog of trainings from The Code Authority®, covering building, fire and electrical safety for inspectors and code authorities.

UL Solutions is a world leader in applied safety science. We provide access to science, translating it from academic discoveries to practical advantages. As the key to a safer and more innovative world, science is pushing forward — we’ll make sure you keep up.

The Code Authority® (TCA) newsletter is developed by industry specialists who have an unbiased stance on the requirements needed to enable a safer built environment.

Unconditioned Spaces and the Application of UL 539 Heat Alarms 

Extreme temperatures and humidity can quietly compromise traditional smoke alarms. Learn how UL 539 and ULC 589 establish rigorous performance requirements that make heat alarms the safer choice for unconditioned spaces.

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Special Purpose Ground-Fault Circuit Interrupters

The 2026 edition of the National Electrical Code® (NEC®) introduces several important updates related to special purpose groundfault circuit interrupters (SPGFCIs), including new classifications and expanded permitted uses. These changes reflect the increasing need for protection in higher voltage and specialized electrical applications.

Discover

From International Firestop Council

Closing the Gap: The Critical Role of Bottom-of-Wall Joint Protection

A static bottom of wall joint system seals the gap between a fire rated wall and the floor to prevent fire, smoke, and hot gases from spreading, providing continuity of the fire separations and allowing the wall/floor interface to maintain its required fire resistance rating. UL Solutions certifies these “BWS” systems to UL 2079, the Standard for Tests for Fire Resistance of Building Joint Systems, and recent IFC testing underscores their importance.

Learn more

Welcome to Pete Jackson!

Pete Jackson brings decades of expertise in electrical inspection, code development and industry leadership to his new role as lead regulatory engineer in UL Solutions Codes and Regulatory Services (CARS) team.

Read Pete's bio

Bruce Johnson, managing editor

Bruce Johnson is the managing editor of The Code Authority® newsletter. For further information or questions, please contact UL Solutions.

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