Marine products

Products used on maritime vessels must comply with rigorous fire Standards established by international governing bodies. UL has developed a comprehensive range of tests to certify the surface flammability performance of finishes used to protect surfaces, including bulkheads, laminates, ceilings, wall coverings and deck finishes. It also tests a variety of products used on these vessels, performing flammability, toxicity and smoke tests on doors and windows, plastic pipes, upholstered furniture and other manufactured surfaces.

A time-tested approach

UL offers manufacturers more than 100 years of fire testing and certification expertise, and more than 30 years of experience supporting guidelines of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the U.S. Coast Guard and the United Nations Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Treaty. Standard fire tests expose products in a test furnace to temperatures corresponding approximately to the standard time-temperature curve. These tests determine that products do not produce excessive quantities of flame, smoke and toxic gases at elevated temperatures.

Test Standards

UL tests to the current editions of the following Standards:

• IMO Resolution MSC.61(67), International Code for Application of Fire Test Procedures, Parts 2, 5 and 6
• IMO Resolution A.653(16), Recommendation on Improved Fire Test Procedures for Surface Flammability of Bulkhead, Ceiling and Deck Finish Materials
• ISO 5659 (Part 5) and Annex 1, Smoke Generation-Part 2: Determination of Specific Optical Density by a Single-Chamber Test and Toxicity (Part 2)

The UL advantage

Current IMO and Coast Guard regulations require manufacturers to have quality control systems in place and subject them to regular third-party inspections. UL verifies continued compliance through periodic, unannounced inspections at the manufacturer's facility. These inspections give manufacturers, installers and authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) confidence that ongoing production consistently meets UL compliance requirements. Governing bodies around the world consider UL the preeminent test laboratory because of its comprehensive testing program and ability to provide global follow-up services. This local service can significantly reduce the overall price of testing and the long-term costs of required auditing.

UL Listed products appear in a UL Product Directory, which is referenced by more than 2,500 AHJs and code officials annually. Coast Guard officials prefer the UL Mark because they value UL's comprehensive testing program, technical expertise and follow-up services.