Field Evaluations

Electrical equipment operates on trust. We help evaluate its safety. Since 1894, our field evaluations have helped build a safer world. From NFL stadiums to the New Years Eve ball drop in Times Square, NYC, we empower trust in your equipment. Contact us today to see how we can help.

What is a Field Evaluation?

A field evaluation is a process whereby products that do not have a certification acceptable to the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), owner or other regulatory body can be evaluated to the applicable product safety standard(s) for the specific application and location where the product is being utilized. The process includes construction inspection for use of components, assembly and limited nondestructive testing to complete the assessment.

Requirements and Standards

United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements mandate that all electrical equipment in the workplace be certified or subjected to a complete and thorough evaluation before use (29 CFR 1910.303 and 1910.399). Additionally, many cities, counties, states and provinces have regulations requiring building, gas-fired and electrical products to be certified or evaluated. A UL field evaluation is an accepted approach by local code authorities to accomplish this required evaluation. UL’s field evaluation program meets all requirements of the ANSI/NFPA 790 and ANSI/NFPA 791 standards for competency and field evaluation procedures.

The Evaluation Process

Site-specific field evaluations help regulatory authorities determine the compliance of a product, leading to approval of the installation. UL’s evaluation process consists of documentation review, visual and mechanical inspection, suitability for installation in accordance with the adopted installation code(s) such as the National Electrical Code® (NEC®), applicable testing and an engineering report. UL’s Field Evaluation services can be requested by anyone involved with the product including business owners, manufacturers, and contractors.

Field Evaluation Product Label

A UL Field Evaluation Product Label will be applied immediately to the product if the product complies with the applicable requirements. If the product does not meet the requirements, UL will provide a detailed preliminary findings report citing each issue and applicable standard reference.

Accredited Field Evaluation Body

The UL Field Evaluation program has been accredited by the International Accreditation Service (IAS), identifier FEB-107, for all the categories of electrical products identified in NFPA 790.

Eligible Equipment for Inspection

Benefits of UL Field Evaluation Services

Quick turnaround time - Our vast network of knowledgeable experts enables you to schedule your inspection at your convenience.

Market acceptance - The UL Field Evaluation Label helps give products a smooth route to acceptance by authorities, regulators and vendors.

Affordable fee structure - Fees quoted include all travel and expenses.

Skilled auditors - Our team of technicians perform audits and inspections across a spectrum of industries. We can assist you and your company in meeting NFPA requirements.

Global field engineering technical expertise - To meet critical timelines, we serve our customers at manufacturing or installation sites around the world. Our engineering competencies comply with regulatory requirements.

Code authority confidence - Over 88% of code authorities surveyed prefer working with UL.