Deflagration and Detonation Flame Arresters

by Stanley S. Grossel
Copyright © 2002 American Institute of Chemical Engineers

APPENDIX

C
UL and FM Listings and Approvals

Presented below is information on how UL and FM listings and approvals

are obtained.
Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) and Factory Mutual Research
(FM) will conduct tests for flame arrester manufacturers to ascertain if a
designated flame arrester (deflagration or detonation type) will prevent
passage of a flame of a specific gas. Both UL and FM test procedures also
include tests for endurance burning, and in the case of UL tests, also for
continuous flames.
UL will usually run the tests at their own test facilities in accordance
with UL 525. When a flame arrester successhlly passes the tests it is given a
“Listing”mark and is so published in their Gas and Oil Equipment cata-
logue. UL will also witness tests at other test facilities, if a flame arrester
manufacturer so wishes, under the UL “Witnessed Test Data Program.” If
the tests are conducted in accordancewith UL 525, then the flame arrester
is listed similarly as if the tests had been done at UL‘s laboratory. If a wit-
nessed test is done at another laboratory in accordance with another test
protocol (not UL 525), then the flame arrester is designated as “Classi-
fied.” All flame arresters that have a UL Listing or Classified mark may be
found on their web site: www.ul.com
FM will conduct tests at their own test facilities usually only for defla-
gration flame arresters, following their Class 606 1 test procedure. They
will also observe and approve tests done at a flame arrester manufacturer’s
own test facility for both deflagration and detonation type flame arresters.
FQr detonation flame arresters FM will accept tests that are done in accor-

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192 Appendix C. UL and FM Listings and Approvals

dance with the USCG test procedure. When a designated flame arrester
has passed the prescribed tests, it is listed as “Approved” in the Factory
Mutual Research Approval Guide. Lists of FM-approved flame arresters
can be obtained from FM upon request.
DDAs which are UL listed/classified or FM approved are contained in a
published list. In addition to passing the basic approvedkesting protocols,
FM approved or UL listedklassified devices will have follow-up inspec-
tions/reviews to ascertain that the tested design has not been modified, and
that the devices are constructed according to the original design. USCG
approved devices are not listed and have no follow-up service.