Lee Dosedlo

Founding Member, William Henry Merrill Society
UL Corporate Fellow

Lee Dosedlo joined Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) in June 1963 and began his 42-year career at UL's facility in Chicago. He initially conducted investigations on fire protection building materials and systems including fire doors, fire resistive walls, insulated record protection safes and structural building columns. In addition, Mr. Dosedlo conducted tests on hydraulic equipment for fire suppression systems, including fire pumps, sprinkler system devices and underground piping products.

After he transferred to UL's Northbrook facility, Mr. Dosedlo led the initiative to develop Safety Standards for solid fuel heating and venting products during the energy crisis. When the U.S. Fire Administration initiated action to save lives in residential occupancies, Mr. Dosedlo represented UL on the NFPA task force to develop a new Standard for Safety for testing and certifying residential fire sprinklers.

Under UL's executive training program, Mr. Dosedlo was transferred to UL's Electrical Engineering Division to manage a section of engineers that were responsible for testing information technology equipment, commercial cooking equipment, power tools and conveyor systems. During 1989, Mr. Dosedlo was appointed to the Chief Engineer's Office, and subsequently to the position of global chief engineer for testing and certification until he retired in 2005.

Mr. Dosedlo received UL's Professional Engineer Award for developing the UL Standard for Safety for Residential Fire Sprinklers and certifying the first UL Listed residential sprinkler. Based on U.S. Fire Administration statistics, these sprinklers have saved hundreds of lives during residential fires in single-family dwellings and lodging facilities. Mr. Dosedlo also received UL's Professional Engineer Award for developing the Standard for a unique "on-off" fire sprinkler that automatically stops the flow of water when it senses that the fire is extinguished.

Mr. Dosedlo authored many technical papers published both internally and externally. In addition, he reviewed all technical papers published for UL staff under the oversight of the Chief Engineer's Office.

Mr. Dosedlo was a registered Professional Engineer in several states. He was appointed to represent UL on outside technical committees that develop standards published by other organizations both nationally and internationally as an element of the global product safety system. He was recognized by the National Fire Protection Association with a Life Membership Certificate for serving 35 years on NFPA technical committees.

As the global chief engineer for testing and certification, together with the regional chief engineers, Mr. Dosedlo provided technical direction and oversight for the UL family of companies on a global basis to facilitate staff technical competence, consistency in application of certification requirements, management of the UL Mark program, compatibility of UL certification requirements with applicable installation codes, UL's data acceptance policy, and product certification program management.

To help drive consistency, integrity and engineering quality, Mr. Dosedlo established UL's Primary Designated Engineers organization, and he developed/maintained the UL staff technical competency criteria and database.

Mr. Dosedlo, revered Corporate Fellow, passed away on June 9, 2007.