UL Approval Process

Gene_6

Does anyone know the process for getting UL Approval for a newly invented oil burner? Costs? Time Frame? Etc.
Thanks in advance, Gene

Ken_40

Tons of info using

Google Search:

www.ul.com/

Steamhead (in transit)

Some thoughts

to be successful, a newly-deigned residential oil burner would not only have to meet UL standards, and be dead-reliable so it wouldn't be any more likely to break down on a 5-degree night than a standard burner, but would also have to offer something the others don't- such as modulation or multi-step firing, or the ability to fire at lower rates than standard burners. Otherwise, there won't be any reason to switch from the usual suspects- Beckett, Carlin or Riello.

This is not meant to discourage you, but to give you an idea of what it would take for a new burner design to succeed.

Good luck!

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J.C.A._3

IS?????

UL still in the business of approving heating appliances/equipment?

Most of the newer approvals I see (especially on gas fired equipment) is coming from Canada (C/E I think).Maybe it's just gas?

It wouldn't surprise me if it's true, after all...where is that money to do all the testing going to come from? Chris

Bob Harper

UL

UL does Not approve of anything. They will test to certain standards including ones they themselves promulgated. If it passes the test and meets many other criteria, it may carry the UL listing mark.

On average, you'll spend at least $25K for a first time test to a current std. Since you are setting up mfg. there are additional fees for on site monitoring and such. Understand, the UL listing covers not only the appliance or gizmo but its manufacturing processes, sources of supply, shop practices, records keeping, etc. They also review the manuals to insure certain key language is contained, some of which are specified down to the font and pitch. I suggest you talk with some R&D folks from other unrelated mfrs. to get a clearer picture.

FYI, you have have your item tested and listed to one common national standard but the work can be done by any accredited testing lab. The value of the listing is to a degree, the reputation of the test lab chosen. While UL has been the Gold Std. for many, I know of at least one case where they botched it and lost their butts in court so even UL is no guarantee.

Do your homework. HTH

Ed_26

Approvals/listings

For Canada, must be CSA approved... controls/combustion/safetys etc. UL listing helps, but not the final item. Good luck with it.

rich pickering

csa

csa sets the standards. Most are harmonized between the U.S. and Canada. Differences are noted in the standards.

The standards will list how the device is to be tested, constructed, how it will operate etc.

Here is the link for upcoming standards changes etc.https://review.csa.ca/opr/opr_list.asp

There is a standard for EVERYTHING.

Bob Harper

CSA vs. AGA

About 6 yrs ago, CSA bought the rights to design approval from the American Gas Assn. so there is no more AGA approval but rather CSA. That is on the design. So, you have a CSA design approval but a lab testing and listing the appliance to an ANSI or UL standard. What gets even better is when UL has to look to ANSI for approval of their standards as does ASHRAE and ASTM. What a mess!

FYI, for you Southerners, CSA is Canadian Standards Association and Not the Confederate States of America!