What is UL 904?

UL 904, also known as "Standard for Fire Rated Cabinets," is a technical standard that is used to evaluate the fire performance of cabinets and other storage equipment. This standard is developed and published by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a renowned global safety certification company. UL 904 provides guidelines and requirements for the construction, materials, and design of cabinets to ensure their ability to resist fire.

Importance of UL 904

UL 904 plays a crucial role in maintaining fire safety in various commercial and industrial buildings. Cabinets that comply with UL 904 are designed to resist fire for a specific duration, typically ranging from 30 minutes to two hours. Such fire-rated cabinets help protect valuable documents, electronic data, and other sensitive materials during a fire incident, providing ample time for evacuation and minimizing potential loss.

Evaluation Process

Under UL 904, cabinets are subjected to rigorous testing to assess their fire resistance capabilities. The evaluation process involves exposing the cabinet to predetermined fire conditions, including high temperatures and direct flames, to simulate real-world fire scenarios. During the test, parameters such as temperature rise, flame penetration, smoke generation, and structural integrity are closely monitored and evaluated. Cabinets that meet the specified criteria are granted UL 904 certification, indicating that they have successfully passed the fire resistance test.

Benefits and Applications

Fire-rated cabinets certified under UL 904 offer several benefits and find applications in various industries. These cabinets are capable of safeguarding critical business documents, backup tapes, hard drives, cash, and important records. They are commonly used in data centers, financial institutions, healthcare facilities, government organizations, and warehouses where fire protection of vital assets is paramount. Additionally, UL 904-certified cabinets also support compliance with fire safety regulations and insurance requirements.