UL Listing of Decorative Fixtures

In the USA, it must be UL rated!

We had an issue with a non UL rated motor on a saw, we solved it by replacing the motor with an acceptable UL rated motor.

The building and code dept would not let us power up the saw unless it was replaced.

If I'm incorrect, please let me know!

GA!

I have also experienced this more than once with the inspector refusing to allow energization of the site due to non-UL rated equipment.

It depends on the area and the local codes.

"In the USA, it must be UL rated!", not (always) true, in many jurisdictions the wording is "...certified by a nationally recognized testing organization..." There are a number of such certifiers, Underwriters Laboratory (UL) is just one testing agency that is recognized in the US, there's also the Electrical Testing Laboratory (ETL), Factory Mutual (FM), and Canadian Standards Association (CSA), plus others.

Of course the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) has the ultimate veto power, and it will be up to the contractor/installer to convince he/she that they're wrong, a really uphill battle, usually it's just easier to give them exactly what they want.

I think it's more of an insurance and liability issue than a legal issue...but I would ask a fire inspector....

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/downloads/bldgs_code/electrical_code_local_law_39of2011.pdf

Thank you. I have searched the code, but cannot find the specific reference and this is not something that is/should be considered subjective. One Inspector might say yes, and yet another no...........just trying to document for responsible practice.

Before installing the fixtures, Have the inspector "Inspect" it and give you a ruling.

In writing!

You never get a verbal OK in a situation like this!

Jini J,

The general code references are 110.2 and 110.3. In these, the "authority having jurisdiction" i.e. the inspector has absolute control for approving something that is not explicitly listed. For many components the individual code sections are more explicit. For lighting fixtures, look at 410.6, where listing is mandatory. A solution to this problem (although costly) may be to submit the fixtures to a testing laboratory. . . .

John M.

I once had a similar issue. I had installed a COTUS Land Mobile Radio in a municipal hospital. The radio was for the EMS personnel and their ambulances. My understanding was that commercial equipment did not have to UL approved there was another approving authority. The long and short of it was the hospital electricians cut off the molded plug, and installed a "hospital" grade plug.

The NYC DOB uses the NEC by reference, with a series of deletions, additions, and modifications that often exclude uses that are allowed in most jurisdictions that cite the entire NEC.

From the "ADMINISTRATIVE CODE SECTIONS OF THE NEW YORK CITY ELECTRICAL CODE" (their caps not mine)

"...2. Cause any wiring or appliances for electrical light, heat or power to be examined and inspected, and the approval thereof to be certified in writing, (a) by an officer or employee of the department designated by him or her for that purpose, or (b) by any inspection agency certified by the commissioner in accordance with rules promulgated by the commissioner,..."

Clearing the NYC DOB is just one burden, the building's insurance underwriter will be very concerned about any red-flags from the electrical inspector, expect a SWO (Stop Work Order) the instant DOB spots any non-conformance. If it's discovered that you're not licensed and/or lacking permits to do the work, the owner will be forced to rip it out and start over.

Article 410.6 of the NEC:

"410.6 Listing Required. All luminaires, lampholders, and retrofit kits shall be listed."

Then in Chapter 1, right in the beginning where they define terms:

"Listed.
Equipment, materials, or services included in a list published by an organization that is acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction and concerned with evaluation of products or services, that maintains periodic inspection of production of listed equipment or materials or periodic evaluation of services, and whose listing states that either the equipment, material, or service meets appropriate designated
standards or has been tested and found suitable for a specified purpose.
Informational Note: The means for identifying listed
equipment may vary for each organization concerned with
product evaluation, some of which do not recognize equipment
as listed unless it is also labeled. Use of the system
employed by the listing organization allows the authority
having jurisdiction to identify a listed product."

'nuff said...

Now, as pointed out, nothing says it must be UL listed, in fact the NEC in that definition is clear on the fact that "Listed" refers to any acceptable entity, then each individual jurisdiction can elucidate what they consider to be "acceptable". Most use the NRTL list established and maintained by OSHA, but some large cities like NYC, Chicago and LA, have their own in addition to those.

Excellent! Thank you - spot on.