The difference between UL Listed and FM Approved starts with the certifier. UL Listed means the model is listed by UL Solutions after testing to a UL standard, with ongoing factory follow-up inspections; FM Approved means FM Approvals certified it after testing and a facility audit, followed by surveillance audits. Both are credible, but neither replaces checking the exact model in the official directory, a SABER certificate of conformity, or acceptance by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).
Key takeaways
- Both marks rest on product testing and production surveillance; they differ in the certifier, its standards and who asks for them. Property insurers may have their own requirements, which can call for FM Approval.
- Certification applies to a model and configuration, not a brand: check the model number, sizes, ratings and conditions of use in the directory.
- Verify UL listings in UL Product iQ with a free account, and FM Approvals in the FM Approval Guide.
- In NFPA standards, “approved” means acceptable to the AHJ, so neither mark is Civil Defense acceptance.
- A UL or FM certificate does not replace the SABER certificate of conformity, and SABER does not replace the listing your specification requires.
In this article
- What UL Listed means
- What FM Approved means
- UL Listed vs FM Approved: comparison
- Certification applies to the model, not the brand
- How to verify a listing or approval, step by step
- LPCB Certification: What It Is and How to Verify It
- How UL and FM relate to SABER conformity
- Which should your specification require?
- Documents to request from suppliers for each item
- Matching checklist by equipment category
- Common reasons material submittals are rejected
- Common mistakes and what drives cost
- How AZEIDK helps
- FAQ
What UL Listed means
UL Solutions is a US certification organization. A UL Listed product is a model whose representative samples were tested to the UL standard for its category, such as UL 199 for sprinklers or UL 448 for centrifugal fire pumps.
UL Follow-Up Services then verify continued production of the certified product. Inspections are normally unannounced, and marked products may not ship until the initial production inspection is passed. UL states that all current versions of its marks, including the newer enhanced and smart marks, remain valid.
Listed, Classified or Recognized Component?
A Recognized Component certification covers a part intended for a larger UL Listed end product, not a standalone product, and its conditions of acceptability govern its use; using it outside them can void the certification. UL Classification is a separate category, so read its scope before treating it as a listing.
What FM Approved means
FM Approvals is a third-party testing and certification body for property loss prevention products. Industry sources describe it as the testing arm of the property insurer FM, known as FM Global until July 2024. After a manufacturer request, it tests the product and audits the factory, then issues a report, the FM APPROVED mark and a listing in the Approval Guide.
Surveillance audits of manufacturing facilities are required to keep the approval, and FM Approvals publishes its examination standards for free download, including FM 1311 for split-case centrifugal fire pumps. An FM Approval can cover a whole product or system, or a single performance characteristic, so read its scope rather than relying on the logo.
In NFPA terms, “approved” is not an FM Approval
NFPA standards define “approved” as acceptable to the AHJ, and “listed” as equipment in a list published by an organization acceptable to the AHJ that inspects production periodically and states that the product meets designated standards or suits a specified purpose. An FM Approved product is therefore listed by FM Approvals, while acceptance rests with the AHJ, which on Saudi projects is usually the General Directorate of Civil Defense, the body that monitors and enforces the building code’s fire prevention and protection requirements.
NFPA 13, for example, requires materials and devices essential to sprinkler system operation to be listed, without naming a listing organization.
UL Listed vs FM Approved: comparison
| Aspect | UL Listed | FM Approved |
|---|---|---|
| Certifier | UL Solutions | FM Approvals |
| Basis | UL standards, such as UL 199 for sprinklers and UL 448 for fire pumps | FM Approval standards, such as FM 1311 for split-case fire pumps |
| Production surveillance | Follow-Up Services, normally unannounced | Initial facility audit, then surveillance audits |
| Official directory | UL Product iQ | FM Approvals Approval Guide |
| Who asks for it | Specifications and AHJs that require listed equipment | Specifications, AHJs that require listed equipment, and some property insurers |
| What it is not | Not Civil Defense acceptance or a SABER certificate | Not Civil Defense acceptance or a SABER certificate |
Certification applies to the model, not the brand
A catalog line such as “our products are UL and FM approved” is not enough. Directories list specific models with their sizes, ratings and conditions of use, and a model may be listed by one certifier only, or in one size, finish or orientation only.
- Sprinklers: check the model number, K-factor, temperature rating, orientation and finish against the listing record.
- Fire pumps: check that pump size, rated capacity and speed appear in the listing, and that the controller is listed for fire pump service; see our NFPA 20 fire pump guide.
- Fire alarm systems: confirm that detectors and modules appear on the panel manufacturer’s compatibility list, as our fire alarm panel buying guide explains.
- Recognized components: confirm that the end product containing them is listed and the conditions of acceptability are met.
How to verify a listing or approval, step by step
- Ask the supplier for the manufacturer, exact model number, UL file number or FM certificate number, datasheet and installation instructions.
- For UL, open UL Product iQ with a free account, search by file number, category code or keyword, confirm the model appears under the correct category, and read that category’s guide information.
- For FM, search the Approval Guide by certificate number, product name or category, and confirm the manufacturer, model and ratings.
- Compare the directory ratings and conditions of use with the submittal and design.
- On delivery, match the mark and model number on the product with the approved submittal.
- If anything is unclear, ask the certifier; UL’s customer experience center confirms certification validity on request.
- File a dated copy of the search result with the SABER conformity certificates.
LPCB Certification: What It Is and How to Verify It
LPCB, the Loss Prevention Certification Board, is an independent UK third-party certification body for fire and security products and services, operated by BRE Global as part of the BRE Group. Certification is not a one-off sample test. It covers testing and evaluation, a factory production control audit, and ongoing surveillance audits that decide whether the certificate is maintained. Certified products are then listed in the official RedBook. For a deeper look, read our LPCB certification guide for fire protection equipment.
LPS standards and the link to EN 54
LPCB certifies against established British, European and international standards as well as its own Loss Prevention Standards (LPS). Examples include LPS 1014, which covers firms that design, install, commission and service fire detection and alarm systems, and LPS 1181, a series of fire growth tests for cladding and sandwich panel systems. For alarm products, many LPCB certificates are based on parts of the EN 54 series. An LPCB certificate for a combined sounder and beacon, for example, names EN 54-3 for the audible function and EN 54-23 for the visual function. See our EN 54 fire alarm standard guide for more.
How to check a listing on RedBookLive
- Go to redbooklive.com and search using the product, company, certificate number or standard filters.
- Enter the certificate number from the datasheet or the certificate copy, or scan the QR code printed on the certificate.
- Match the manufacturer name and model number exactly against the product you are being offered.
- Review the standard and its edition, the scope of certification, the certificate dates and its issue number.
- Read the certificate appendix for the approved settings, such as tone selections or visual coverage category.
A certificate covers a specific model and configuration
A certificate applies only to the models listed in its appendix and in the configuration stated there. A sounder beacon, for instance, may be approved only at certain tone settings and a specific coverage category, and any model or setting outside that scope is not covered.
In Saudi Arabia, an LPCB certificate does not replace local conformity requirements. Many products fall under technical regulations issued by the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO), with conformity certificates completed through the SABER platform according to the product category. The technical regulation for fire control materials and equipment, for example, requires a certificate of conformity from a SASO-notified body for extinguishing equipment and fire pumps, while excluding fire alarm and firefighting systems from its scope. Check which regulation applies to each product before supply.
How UL and FM relate to SABER conformity
The Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) requires products sold in Saudi Arabia to be registered on SABER, the electronic platform of the Saudi Product Safety Program (SALEEM). Fire extinguishing equipment, fire pumps, extinguishing agents and their parts and fittings fall under the Technical Regulation for Fire Control Materials and Equipment, which requires a certificate of conformity from SASO or a SASO-accepted conformity assessment body under Type 3 conformity assessment, and does not name UL or FM marks as a substitute.
A product certificate is registered for each product or model, and a shipment certificate, valid for 90 days, is issued for every consignment before shipping. The regulation text excludes fire alarm and firefighting systems, which fall under the Saudi Fire Protection Code (SBC 801), but SASO’s guide lists fixed extinguishing systems as covered, so confirm each product’s status with the conformity assessment body. Our SABER and SALEEM update has the details.
| Track | What it proves | Issued by |
|---|---|---|
| UL listing or FM Approval | The model was tested for a defined purpose and production is monitored | UL Solutions or FM Approvals |
| SABER certificate of conformity | The product meets the technical regulation before entering the Saudi market | SASO or an accepted conformity assessment body |
| Facility safety license | The installed system meets the code and Civil Defense requirements | Civil Defense, through the Salamah platform |
Which should your specification require?
Start from the consultant’s approved specification, then the insurance policy if the insurer requires FM Approval. Good wording reads: “UL Listed or FM Approved for the intended use, with the exact model supplied shown in the official directory at material submittal.”
Some specifications also accept Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB) certification or, for fire alarm equipment, the EN 54 series. Do not mix routes in one system without checking compatibility; see our LPCB certification guide and EN 54 guide.
Documents to request from suppliers for each item
- A compliance statement against each specification clause, showing what complies and what deviates.
- A datasheet with the exact model number and ratings.
- Listing evidence: the UL file number and category, or the FM certificate number, with a dated copy of the directory record.
- The manufacturer’s installation instructions, since listings are tied to conditions of use and installation.
- For fire alarm devices, the compatibility list for the specified control panel.
- For pumps, the certified shop test curve and driver and controller data.
- SABER certificates of conformity for products within the Technical Regulation for Fire Control Materials and Equipment.
- Good practice: warranty terms and operation and maintenance manuals at submittal stage, not at handover.
It is good practice for the contractor and consultant to keep a submittal register that records, for each item, the model, the listing or certificate number, the date it was checked and the approval status, so any change of model or supplier shows up before it reaches site.
Matching checklist by equipment category
| Category | Common standards | Match in the record | Frequent rejection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sprinklers | UL 199; FM 2000; FM 2008 for early suppression, fast response (ESFR) sprinklers | Model, K-factor, temperature rating, response type, orientation, finish | Finish or orientation not covered by the listing |
| Control and alarm valves | UL 262 gate valves; FM 1120/1130 gate, FM 1112 butterfly, FM 1210 swing check, FM 1041 alarm check, FM 1021 dry pipe valves | Type, size range, pressure rating, end connections, trim | Pressure rating below system pressure |
| Pumps and controllers | UL 448 pumps; FM 1311, 1319, 1312 or 1371 by pump type; UL 218, FM 1321 and FM 1323 controllers; FM 1333 diesel drivers | Rated flow, pressure and speed; controller listed for fire pump service; voltage and power | An FM 1311 certificate offered for an end-suction pump |
| Fire alarm devices | UL 268 smoke detectors; FM 3010 systems, FM 3230 smoke, FM 3210 heat, FM 3150 audible appliances; or EN 54 per specification | Model and base; appearance on the panel compatibility list | Detector not on the panel compatibility list |
| Cables | UL 1424 types FPL, FPLR and FPLP; UL 2196 circuit integrity cables | Cable type for the route; for circuit integrity cable, the whole listed system including supports | FPLR offered where a fire-resistive cable is required |
For pumps, note that UL 448 covers stationary centrifugal fire pumps in general, while FM has a standard per pump type, so FM 1311 applies only to split-case pumps; see our fire pump selection, design and approvals guide.
For cables, UL 1424 covers cables for power-limited fire alarm circuits, including FPLR for risers and FPLP for plenums; these are not fire-resistive cables. Circuit integrity cables listed to UL 2196 are installed to the manufacturer’s instructions, and their listing carries specific support requirements, as our fire alarm cables and circuit integrity guide explains.
Common reasons material submittals are rejected
Beyond the general certification mistakes covered in our UL Listed vs FM Approved guide, these rejections recur in material submittals:
- A listing route the specification does not accept, such as a UL listing where FM Approval is specified.
- Alarm devices missing from the compatibility list of the panel specified for the project.
- Datasheet ratings that differ from the directory record.
- No certificate of conformity for a product within the technical regulation.
Cost is driven by the listing route required (UL, FM or both) and the models it offers, system-level listings such as circuit integrity cables, and the verification and documentation effort.
Common mistakes and what drives cost
- Accepting brand-level UL and FM claims without checking the model in the directory.
- Treating a recognized component as a listed end product, or supplying a size or finish the listing does not cover.
- Mixing devices from different approval routes without official compatibility lists.
- Assuming an FM Approval means Civil Defense acceptance, or that a UL listing removes the need for SABER.
- Relying on old certificate copies instead of a live directory search.
Cost is driven mainly by the route required (UL, FM or both) and the models it offers, system-level listings, insurer requirements, and the effort to verify and document submittals.
How AZEIDK helps
AZEIDK provides technical selection of systems and equipment and technical supply of fire safety systems, reviewing datasheets and catalogs and verifying that each proposed model complies with the project requirements and approved specifications. Our products page shows the brands available within our supply scope, including TYCO, Victaulic, Jack Pump, AFC and Context Plus, and we recommend checking every model’s approval in its datasheet and the official directory.
See also our guide to UL Listed and FM Approved equipment and our update on UL and FM fire pump approvals.
FAQ
Is FM Approved better than UL Listed?
Neither is better in absolute terms. Both certifiers test to published standards and monitor production; they differ in the organization, its standards and who asks for each mark. What matters is that the mark matches your specification and insurance policy, and the exact model is in the directory.
Is a UL or FM certificate enough to sell a product in Saudi Arabia?
No. Fire control equipment covered by the technical regulation needs a SABER product certificate of conformity from SASO or a SASO-accepted body, then a shipment certificate for each consignment. A UL listing or FM Approval is a separate specification requirement, and the regulation does not name it as a substitute.
How do I check that a product is really UL Listed?
Open UL Product iQ with a free account and search by file number, category code or company name. Confirm the model supplied appears under the correct category, and read the guide information. If it is missing, ask the supplier for the correct file number or contact UL.
What is the difference between UL Listed and UL Recognized?
A UL Listed product is a complete product tested for its intended use. A Recognized Component is a part meant to be built into a larger listed product, with conditions of acceptability that govern its use. On its own, it is not acceptable where a listed product is required.
Does FM Approved mean Civil Defense has accepted the product?
No. In NFPA standards, “approved” means acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction, while an FM Approval is a third-party certification of testing and production surveillance. Acceptance in Saudi Arabia goes through the Saudi Fire Protection Code and Civil Defense, which can use listings as evidence.
Is it enough that the brand is certified?
No. Listings and approvals cover specific models with defined sizes, ratings and conditions of use, and one manufacturer may sell both listed and unlisted models. Ask for the exact model number, check it in the official directory, and match it with the datasheet and the product delivered.
Need the approvals on your equipment list checked? Send us the model list and the project specification, and our engineers will review the datasheets and each item’s compliance with the specification. Contact the AZEIDK team
