Control Network Newsletter
EIS and EIRX Recognized for Compliance with the UL 864 10th Edition Standard
April 2017 - The EIS Ethernet Interconnect Switch and the EIRX Industrial Managed Ethernet Switch from Contemporary Controls comply with the requirements of Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 864 Control Units and Accessories for Fire Alarm Systems 10th Edition. All new fire alarm and smoke control systems being installed claiming UL 864 compliance must comply with this latest edition.
To view the UL listing for the EIS and the EIRX series, click either US or Canada.
The UL recognized component mark is rarely seen by the customer, but is often part of a larger system that is UL Listed by the fire alarm supplier. For a system to be UL Listed, it is evaluated and tested by UL to determine if it meets the requirements established by UL's published Standards of Safety. A UL recognized component has already been evaluated and tested in accordance with UL's component safety standards, streamlining the qualification process for the system supplier.
The Ethernet Interconnect Series (EIS) and the EIRX28M previously qualified for the (UL) 864 Control Units and Accessories for Fire Alarm Systems 9th Edition. The products had to be re-evaluated and recognized by UL for compliance to the UL864 10th Edition standard. The 10th Edition replaces the 9th Edition as of December 1, 2018 and the 9th Edition will be withdrawn.
"Being compliant with the 10th edition now allows our customers enough time to bring their systems into compliance before the Dec 1, 2018 deadline," said George Karones, Operations Manager at Contemporary Controls. "Our customers can be confident that as a trusted supplier we won't compromise their UL Listing."
By having the fire alarm system supplier specify a Contemporary Controls' EIS or EIRX switch as a component, the supplier is not required to perform additional testing on the component. Several fire alarm and security firms have already specified the EIS and EIRX series as part of their system, thereby improving their time-to-market.
Components that bear the UL Recognized Component mark are separately covered under UL's Follow-Up Surveillance program to ensure continued compliance and prevent unpleasant surprises when an end-product is inspected.
UL 864 10th Edition governs the safety of fire alarm systems and equipment, including smoke detectors, sprinkler systems and fire alarms. Visit the EIS Ethernet Interconnect Switch and the EIRX Industrial Managed Ethernet Switch product page to learn more.