What is UL 983?

UL 983, also known as the "Standard for Safety for Fire Tests of Fire Extinguishing Systems for Protection of Restaurant Cooking Areas," is a widely recognized standard in the fire protection industry. It sets forth the requirements for testing and evaluating fire extinguishing systems used in commercial kitchens.

Understanding the Purpose

The main purpose of UL 983 is to ensure that fire extinguishing systems installed in restaurant cooking areas are effective in suppressing fires that may occur during cooking operations. The standard specifies various tests and criteria that these systems must meet in order to be deemed safe and reliable.

Testing Requirements

UL 983 outlines specific testing procedures and performance requirements for fire extinguishing systems. These include heat-release rate tests, flame spread tests, and fire suppression tests. The systems are evaluated based on their ability to quickly detect and suppress fires, as well as their effectiveness in preventing re-ignition.

Compliance and Certification

Fire extinguishing systems that conform to the requirements of UL 983 can undergo a certification process. This involves thorough evaluation by an independent third-party testing laboratory accredited by UL. Once certified, the systems are assigned a UL certification mark, which indicates compliance with the standard.