National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) (http://www.nfpa.org)
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is one of the leading organizations involved in the development and publication of codes and standards for the fire and rescue industry. These codes and standards are developed through technical committees that formulate a “proposed” document with input from manufacturers with an interest in the product industry along with individuals concerned with the use of the product in the performance of their jobs.
The NFPA is not a testing agency and does not list, certify, or inspect products for compliance with its standards. Compliance to NFPA standards is certified by independent, third party certification organizations with testing and inspection procedures to verify continued compliance with a standard.
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) (http://www.ul.com)
Established in 1894, Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is an independent compliance – testing laboratory. Also, like organizations such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), UL develops and publishes standards for manufacture and testing of products. For over 100 years consumers have recognized the UL mark as the leading identifier of safety – tested products. Listing is the most recognized of UL’s services. The UL listed mark is applied to products that comply with UL requirements and have been produced under a UL follow-up service program. UL also provides classification to certify products to other standards.
What is the difference between a UL Listed and NFPA 1936 Compliant rescue tools?
UL Listed Rescue Tools (SYAA) are investigated in accordance with the requirements of Underwriters Laboratories' "Subject 1964, Outline of Investigation for Rescue Equipment."
These tools carry a UL Listed mark similar to the one below:
UL's file containing Holmatro's UL Listed tools is SYAA.SA8322
Note: As of the last revision of this website on 10/21/2007, Holmatro was the only manufacturer with UL Listed tools.
When testing a manufacturer's product to a third party standard, like NFPA 1936, if the product is found to be compliant the product is not "UL Listed," it is "UL Classified" and may be labeled with a mark similar to the one below:
UL's file containing Holmatro's NFPA 1936 Compliant tools is: SYBB.SA10873
Other manufacturers with NFPA 1936 Compliant tools tested by UL can be found under the view listings link.
It is safe to say that obtaining a UL listing for a rescue tool is more difficult than meeting the minimum standards set by NFPA 1936. To date, Holmatro, Inc. is the only company in the world able to offer UL Listed rescue tools.
Click this link for a PDF with a larger view of the above comparison table that highlights some of the testing differences.
Q: Why are Holmatro's UL Listed tools not shown in the list of NFPA Compliant tools?
A: UL does not list a given tool twice. In the general information page for UL Listed rescue tools it clearly states that:
The basic requirements used to investigate products in this category are contained in UL Subject 1964, "Outline of Investigation for Rescue Equipment." UL Subject 1964 includes the requirements contained in ANSI/NFPA 1936.
As a result, Holmatro’s
UL Listed Rescue Tools had to be proven to be
NFPA 1936 Compliant before they could become
UL Listed.