Finding UL Listed and Certified Fire-Rated Products with UL Product iQ^®

A: Most assemblies can be found by searching with specific parameters, including:

• Keyword.
• Design number.
• Fire-rated design details assembly type.
• Construction group.
• Product name.
• Hourly rating.
• Protection type.

A: The combination of parameters used in a search can lead to too many or too few search results. These suggestions can help broaden or narrow your search results:

• Leave the hourly rating blank. Sponsors of the tested designs typically want to achieve the highest rating possible, and the materials you would like to specify might have a higher hourly rating than you require.
• Be precise when entering the manufacturer’s name. If you are unsure, try using the keyword box.
• Keywords are only useful if the word or its derivative is contained within the design. Trade names or abbreviations such as “drywall,” “TJI,” “CMU,” “wide flange” and the like will not work.
• Examples of useful keywords include:
  • “Siding,” “stucco” and “exterior” for walls with exterior finishes.
  • “Damper” for designs tested with dampers.
  • U300, U400, etc., for finding a fire-rated joint based on a wall series type.

A: Yes. The ratings for walls and partitions apply when either face of the assembly is exposed to fire unless indicated otherwise in a specific design.

A: The fire-resistive designs and UL-certified materials for walls and partitions are investigated to UL 263, which addresses fire-resistive requirements only. The scope of UL 263 does not address whether a wall or partition is used on the interior or exterior of a building.

UL 263 addresses the testing of wall assemblies that are asymmetrical by describing the differing components on each side of the studs to accommodate the interior and exterior of the building. These walls and partitions are typically evaluated in a manner where the interior face of the assembly is exposed to the fire, unless otherwise specified in the individual designs. For asymmetrical walls that have been evaluated where the exterior face of the assembly is exposed to fire, UL designs will state “Rating Exposed to Fire on Exterior Face”, “Rating Exposed to Fire on Either Face” or equivalent wording. In these cases, the design also identifies the construction items, such as facing, veneers or cladding required to achieve that fire resistance rating.

The ratings for symmetrical walls apply when either face of the assembly is exposed to the fire. Exterior cladding and other local code required materials may be added to symmetrical wall designs with gypsum panels attached to either wood studs or steel studs for use in exterior wall applications, provided the additional materials do not jeopardize the existing rating, as determined by the Authority Having Jurisdiction.

Where symmetrical or asymmetrical walls are used on the exterior of a building, additional requirements applicable to exterior walls, such as those regulating insulation, exterior cladding and weather protection should apply. The Authority Having Jurisdiction should be consulted to ensure compliance with these other code requirements applicable to exterior walls.