Record protection

To safeguard valuable financial, medical and personal data from fire and burglary, businesses need record protection equipment that protects whatever storage media they use: paper, photographic records or computer storage devices. For over 90 years, UL has developed test methodologies that evaluate and rate the performance of a range of self-contained, movable devices, including file cabinets, single- and double-door safes, and single-lid containers. Ratings reflect the type of media these devices are intended to protect, the length of time they can withstand exposure to heat, and an optional test to evaluate protection against impact.

UL tests subject all six sides of these devices to various test conditions. Using a furnace chamber, fire engineers expose the device to the temperature conditions specified in the test Standard for the applicable class rating: Class 350 for paper products, Class 150 for magnetic tapes and Class 125 for flexible disks. Classified products appear in a searchable, up-to-date UL product directory, referenced by more than 2,500 authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) and code officials annually.

Products and standards

UL tests and certifies to the current editions of the following Standards:

• UL 72, Test for Fire Resistance of Record Protection Equipment
• UL 687, Test for Burglary-Resistant Safes

The UL advantage

In 1918, UL wrote the original test standards for record protection equipment that are still recognized and referenced today by manufacturers, businesses, consumers and inspectors around the world. UL maintains an online certification database (www.ul.com/database), searchable by category control number (CCN) and other parameters such as company name, location and file number. The database provides complete, up-to-date information on the specific performance features of certified devices.

Flexible services

Global manufacturers can work directly with UL during product development to collect preliminary test data for devices with new configurations and/or fire-resistant materials. This collaboration saves valuable financial resources and speeds time-to-market. UL also provides reliable, onsite Follow-Up Services to determine each product's continued compliance with certification requirements. Periodic, unannounced inspections at the manufacturer's facility assure all parties that ongoing production consistently meets applicable standards. UL Follow-Up Services are a critical element in maintaining the integrity of the UL Mark.