Underwriters Laboratories Publishes First Safety Standard for Portable Generators

Underwriters Laboratories Publishes First Safety Standard for Portable
Generators

NORTHBROOK, Ill., March 4 /PRNewswire/ --Underwriters Laboratories (UL), an
independent product safety certification and leading standards development
organization, today announced the publication of UL 2201, a Standard for
Portable Engine-Generator Assemblies. Prior to this standard, there was no
voluntary safety standard for portable generators sold in the United States.

Portable generators offer an alternative source of electricity during
temporary power outages and have become a vital tool during severe storm
recovery. However, when not used properly or when used indoors, these devices
may present potential safety risks to consumers. These risks include, but are
not limited to, carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning from the toxic engine exhaust,
electric shock or electrocution, and fire.

"UL is committed to making the world a safer place. That's why we are
publishing the first safety standard for portable generators," said Robert
Williams, vice president of standards for UL. "Portable generators are
becoming more popular for consumers, so it is important for the industry to
manufacture and market portable generators that have been tested for
foreseeable hazards."

According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), the estimated
number of portable generators in U.S. households grew from 9.2 million units
in 2002 to 10.6 million units in 2005. The number of deaths associated with
portable generators has increased annually since 1999. The CPSC reported at
least 365 generator-related deaths between 1990 and 2005, many of them after a
hurricane or other major storm.

"Portable generators are commonly used during and after storms; however,
consumer-grade generators typically are not weatherproof and can pose the risk
of electrocution and shock when used in wet conditions," said Williams. "UL
2201 will help to mitigate the safety hazards related to poor weather
conditions. We are prepared to test and certify generators that can operate
safely outdoors under the real-world conditions consumers will experience."

UL performance requirements will permit safe outdoor use of UL-LISTED portable
generators during storms or poor weather conditions, as well as require clear
usage labels that may help reduce the known risks of CO poisoning and
electrocution.

As the leading safety testing and certification organization in North America,
UL has conducted product safety testing for nearly 115 years. Each year, 21
billion UL Marks appear on more than 19,000 types of products - from the
shingles to the storm windows to garage doors - all of which have been
evaluated to meet nationally recognized safety standards. The UL Mark means
the product has been certified for safety regarding foreseeable hazards that
include electric shock, fire and mechanical hazards.

UL is prepared to begin evaluating portable generators to UL 2201 effective
immediately. For more information, visit www.ul.com.

About Underwriters Laboratories
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) is an independent product safety certification
organization that has been testing products and writing Standards for Safety
for over a century. UL evaluates more than 19,000 types of products,
components, materials and systems annually with 20 billion UL Marks appearing
on 72,000 manufacturers' products each year. UL's worldwide family of
companies and network of service providers includes 64 laboratory, testing and
certification facilities serving customers in 98 countries. For more
information, visit: http://www.UL.com/newsroom.

Media Contacts
Joseph Hirschmugl
Underwriters Laboratories
Phone: +1.847.664.1058
E-mail: Joseph.F.Hirschmugl@us.ul.com

Chris Suttile
GolinHarris for UL
Phone: +1.312.729.4224
Email: csuttile@golinharris.com

SOURCE Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.

Media, Joseph Hirschmugl of Underwriters Laboratories, +1-847-664-1058,
Joseph.F.Hirschmugl@us.ul.com; or Chris Suttile of GolinHarris,
+1-312-729-4224, csuttile@golinharris.com, for Underwriters Laboratories