UL Online Certifications Directory

GENERAL

This category covers security systems that have been installed and are being maintained in accordance with "The National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) (DOD 5220.22-M)," published by the U. S. Department of Defense.

A national industrial security system involves alarm detection equipment installed at an area or object to be protected and remotely monitored on alarm-receiving equipment located at a (1) government contractor monitoring station, (2) central station that is UL Listed for Burglar Alarm Systems (CPVX), or for Central Station Protective Signaling Services (UUFX), or for Monitoring Stations, Residential (CVSU), or (3) law enforcement station or law enforcement dispatch center.

The purpose of the system is to notify personnel responsible for responding to alarms of a condition that requires investigation. The alarm investigation is handled by government contractor investigators or by employees of a private guard company. The response time for the investigator arrival is either 15, 20 or 30 minutes, and this time is specified on the Certificate. The police may also respond to an alarm, but the response time is not indicated for police response.

A system can incorporate line security equipment, which provides a high degree of supervision on the signaling line or communication channel between the protected area and the central supervising station. If line security is not incorporated, two independent means of signal transmission are used.

UL maintains a Certificate Verification Service (ULCVS) that allows authorized Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to verify up-to-date Certificate information and identify companies eligible to issue Certificates as of the date of the inquiry. Only those alarm or signal system installations for which a Certificate has been properly issued are covered under UL's Certificate Service. The verification of a Certificate on ULCVS is the only method UL provides to identify the Certificated alarm systems actively covered under its Listing and Follow-Up Service.

The Certificate is intended to provide AHJs with basic information on the installation and maintenance of an alarm system. Information on the Certificate includes the name and address of the installed system, type of system, extent of protection, remote alarm transmission means and whether or not "Line Security" equipment is employed, alarm receiving agency and location, investigative responding agency and period of time alarm is responded to, issued and expiration dates, and the alarm service company. Each Certificate also bears a unique serial number.

The Certificate serves as evidence that the alarm service company (1) is Listed as furnishing protective systems of the Type indicated; (2) is authorized to issue the Certificate for the installation as its representation that the equipment is in compliance with the requirements established by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL); and (3) is subject to UL's field countercheck program whereby periodic inspections are made of representative installations to check the correctness of Certification practices.

The limits of coverage, as determined by response time for investigation response, and for service and maintenance, are based on identification of a service territory through the use of United States Post Office ZIP codes. An alarm service company selects those ZIP codes (areas) it will serve, as verified through periodic audits of its response capability by UL. The coverage area is defined by five-digit or nine-digit ZIP codes, or some of each. A response area need not include all ZIP codes within the general area. A ZIP code is for the physical address of a Certificated installation.

Requests for service shall be received by alarm service company personnel, or a method shall be devised that will result in the initiation of service within the time interval specified in UL 2050, "National Industrial Security Systems for the Protection of Classified Materials."

UL makes no representations or warranties, expressed or implied, that the alarm system will prevent any loss or that the alarm system will in all cases provide the protection for which it is installed or intended. UL may at times conduct inspections of the alarm service company, including inspections of representative installations made by it. UL does not assume or undertake to discharge any liability of the alarm service company or any other party. UL is not an insurer and assumes no liability that may result directly or indirectly from inspection of the equipment, failure of the equipment, failure to conduct inspections, incorrect certification, nonconformity with requirements, failure to discover nonconformity with requirements, cancellation of the certificate or withdrawal of the alarm installing company from inclusion in UL's Online Certifications Directory prior to the expiration date appearing on the Certificate. If an installation is found not in conformity with requirements, it shall be corrected or the certificate is subject to cancellation.

Inspections and tests of representative installations in the field are made to determine the correctness of installation of protective devices and wiring, quality of workmanship, operability of circuits, extent of protection, and maintenance of the system.

The extent of alarm protection installed to cover a records container, such as a security container, GSA-approved container, nonstandard container or vault is "Complete." The extent of alarm protection installed to cover a "closed area" is classified as "Installation No. 3 or No. 5."

REQUIREMENTS

The basic standard used to investigate national industrial security alarm service is UL 2050, "National Industrial Security Systems for the Protection of Classified Materials."

The basic standard that provides requirements for the extent of alarm protection installed in an alarm system is UL 681, "Installation and Classification of Burglar and Holdup Alarm Systems."

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UL, in performing its functions in accordance with its objectives, does not assume or undertake to discharge any responsibility of the manufacturer or any other party. UL shall not incur any obligation or liability for any loss, expense or damages, including incidental or consequential damages, arising out of or in connection with the use, interpretation of, or reliance upon this Guide Information.