If you've ever looked at one of our product info sheets or browsed a product on our website, there's a chance you've seen "UL listed" or "ULC listed" under the features and benefits. What does this mean? Why is it important? The long story short, is that it means our products pass the strictest safety standards-ensuring the highest level of safety for our customers.
But let's take an even deeper dive into UL/ULC listings, what they mean, how products are tested, and why it's important in our first installment of our Gas Fire Pit Safety series.
What is UL/ULC?
UL stands for Underwriters Laboratories. They are a worldwide, non-profit organization that tests and certifies products and components for safety. They test 22 billion products annually, including gas appliances, consumer electronics, medical devices, lasers, and security equipment. ULC is the acronym for UL's Canadian presence.
UL tests our products to ensure they meet the requirements set forth by the North American governing standard for outdoor fire features outlined in ANSI Z21.97-2017 Outdoor Decorative Gas Appliances.
Importance of UL Listed Products
Fire of any kind can be dangerous if proper precautions are not taken. This applies to not only using gas fire pits, but also engineering and designing them. Safety is at the forefront of everything we do at The Outdoor GreatRoom Company and we have the utmost the trust and respect in the process and certification provided by UL.
And while there are other organizations out there that can perform safety testing, Connor Burmeister, OGC's Product Engineer, says that UL is the best because of their reputation across not only the hearth industry, but across nearly every industry imaginable.
"We use UL because of their long-standing presence within the hearth industry and their wide recognition across all product categories within the US and Canada," he said. "You look at any light bulb, power adaptor, sink fitting, etc., and you will see the UL mark. This recognition means our product will typically be accepted at any commercial project or residential inspection, without issue."
OGC's Gas Fire Pit Testing
All OGC Crystal Fire Plus Burners are tested in house by UL's test engineer, who has been testing hearth products since the first direct vent gas fireplace came out in the 1980s. Tests include analysis of burner start up, gas connections, performance in wind and rain, automatic shutdown, and much more. These inspections are done on a quarterly basis.
"UL's understanding of the standard and knowledge of the hearth industry, as well as the quarterly product inspections they perform, ensure that the quality of our products and documentation are held to the highest standard," Burmeister says.
Additionally, OGC maintains calibrated test equipment in our engineering lab to ensure all our in-house testing will meet and exceed the testing performed with UL.
What This Means for You
You can have the piece of mind knowing that your Outdoor GreatRoom Company fire pit was manufactured and tested with safety as the highest priority. You can learn more about your fire pit's safety features by consulting the product and burner manuals.
Additionally, we always recommend purchasing a glass guard for your fire table. Glass guards not only provide an extra layer of safety, but also have glass panes that provide an ambient reflection of the flames, enhancing your outdoor fire experience. Glass guards are available for most OGC fire tables in either round or linear options. Check out our website or consult your local dealer for more information on the right glass guard for your gas fire pit table.
