Standard for Safety for Ultraviolet (UV) Germicidal Equipment and Systems

Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL)
Standards Development Organisation:
Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
Working Program:
View the UL work program
Designation Number:
ANSI/CAN/UL 8802
Standard Type:
National Standard of Canada - Domestic
Standard Sub-Type
Joint Canada-U.S. National Standard
Standard Development Activity:
New Standard
ICS code(s):
91.160.10
Status:
Proceeding to development
SDO Comment Period Start Date:
SDO Comment Period End Date:
Posted On:

Scope:

The requirements in this proposed new standard apply to ultraviolet germicidal irradiation equipment and systems emitting uncontained UV and intended for use in commercial and industrial environments and installed in accordance with the U.S. National Electrical Code (NEC), ANSI/NFPA 70 and in accordance with the Canadian Electrical Code, Part I (CEC), CSA C22.1.

These requirements cover:

Germicidal systems – intended to expose surfaces within an unoccupied area with ultraviolet (UV) energy where the exposure dose would otherwise pose a risk of personal injury to occupants. System components include UV emitters, switches, sensors and other controls acting as site or equipment safeguards. The installation and operating instructions are considered an integral system component. A system may also include devices that produce visible light.

Upper-room germicidal equipment – intended for use while a space is occupied. The UV risk is mitigated by a fixed installation at a minimum height above the floor as well as directional baffling to minimize direct emissions towards the occupied space. The effectiveness of these safeguards is confirmed by a photobiological risk assessment.

UV emitters – intended for use either as stand-alone  components of upper-air equipment or a germicidal system.

Project need:

To establish requirements for equipment and systems that use ultraviolet (UV) energy primarily for UV germicidal applications. Mitigation of the UV overexposure risk to humans would be accomplished by a combination of site and equipment safeguards. UV emitter assemblies and germicidal systems are intended for use only in unoccupied spaces. A combination of switches, sensors and other controls act to ensure that the treated space is vacant before the system can be engaged, and also ensures that the space remains vacant for the duration of the treatment cycle. The effectiveness of these safeguards is confirmed by a safeguard assessment. This proposal is intended to address the personal injury considerations from UV overexposure, but it would be used in conjunction with the Canadian Luminaire standard, CSA C22.2 No. 250.0, to address the fire and shock considerations for the upper-room equipment and UV emitter assemblies.

Note: The information provided above was obtained by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) and is provided as part of a centralized, transparent notification system for new standards development. The system allows SCC-accredited Standards Development Organizations (SDOs), and members of the public, to be informed of new work in Canadian standards development, and allows SCC-accredited SDOs to identify and resolve potential duplication of standards and effort.

Individual SDOs are responsible for the content and accuracy of the information presented here. The text is presented in the language in which it was provided to SCC.