Case Studies

Agency Certifications and Approvals

A manufacturer of exhaust hoods wanted their new product line certified before an upcoming industry show. In addition, their hoods with exhaust dampers had failed UL 710 tests and the hoods’ exhaust air flows were too high.

Developed and implemented a test and certification plan which met their industry show deadline. During the pre-testing, helped change the design and construction of the exhaust dampers and hoods to comply with UL 710 requirements and achieve the lower exhaust air flows the manufacturer had expected.

A major manufacturer of fire and smoke dampers needed to comply with revised agency standards and other requirements. With numerous approved product lines and models, a detailed evaluation, testing, and obsolescence plan was required.

Reviewed the manufacturer’s files for all their approved product lines and models. Determined the products and models that needed to be recertified or withdrawn. Selected the product/model samples for recertification, conducted retesting and evaluation to comply with the new requirements, and obtained product certifications for continued listings.

Standards and Codes

Created a new UL category for these products:

• Developed the appropriate UL certification requirements for the hood and duct accessories.
• Conducted product evaluation, including testing, for the manufacturer.
• Prepared the certification documentation.
• Established the first UL certification for this manufacturer.

UL now has 19 companies listed for this product category.

Created a new UL category for these products:

• Researched and developed UL certification requirements for ductless hoods.
• Conducted extensive product evaluation and testing for electrical, fire, and environmental/health safety.
• Worked closely with the NFPA-96 Technical Committee to address this new technology in that standard.
• Established the first UL certification for this manufacturer.

UL now has 5 companies listed for this product category.

Regulatory Compliance

Gained building official’s approval of the exhaust hoods by working with the ICBO Mechanical Code officials:

• Met with ICBO code officials to explain the hood listing requirements.
• Proposed the code changes to address the requirements.
• Proactively participated in the code hearings for acceptance of the proposal.

Ensured that the needed standard and code changes occurred:

• Worked closely with AMCA and key damper industry representatives to prepare proposals, which resulted in updates of NFPA standards 90A and 92A & B.
• Helped update ICBO and other Mechanical Codes to address the new dynamic fire damper and smoke damper listing information for their operation under air flow and at elevated temperatures.
• Proactively participated in the NFPA 90A and 92A & B Technical Committee meetings and the ICBO and other code change processes to explain and support the proposed updates.

Business Development

Established business operations in India:

• Researched and conducted a fact-finding mission and feasibility study to explore India's market potential.
• Worked with various industry and government organizations in both the USA and India, and obtained required government approvals.
• Prepared and implemented a business plan and established local offices in Bangalore, New Delhi, and Mumbai.
• Participated proactively in sales & marketing activities in both the USA and India, trained the staff, and supported business growth.

Training and Seminars

A wide range of professionals associated with fire and smoke dampers needed to know about the changes in UL standards and requirements for testing and certification of dynamic fire and smoke dampers.

Provided knowledge transfer to the damper industry, fire safety professionals, mechanical engineers, contractors, and others:

• Developed customized presentations and wrote technical papers and articles to explain the new testing and certification requirements in the UL 555 & 555S standards, including the listing information.
• Conducted presentations and seminars at AMCA, ASHRAE, and NFPA meetings and published papers and articles in the ASHRAE and NFPA Journals and in the SMACNA publication.

Provided manufacturers, consultants, mechanical engineers, food service chains and other independent operators, contractors, AHJs, and utilities with compliance information about CKV products:

• Delivered presentations tailored to various audiences to explain:
  • testing and certification requirements in standards UL 710, UL 1046, UL 1978, UL Subject 762, and UL 197 (now UL 710B)
  • listing information for these products
  • installation and other requirements in NFPA-96, ICBO & other model codes (now ICC codes).
• Conducted seminars at NAVM, NAFEM, NRA-MAECO Group, ASHRAE, EPRI, and ICBO-ES meetings.
• Wrote and published related papers and articles in the ASHRAE and NFPA Journals and in the FCSI publication.

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