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Non-Traditional Service Products

UL vs. FM Approvals

When it comes to fire and life safety equipment, certifications matter. Two of the most recognized are UL Listed and FM Approved. Here’s how they differ:

UL vs FM comparison

Feature	UL (Underwriters Laboratories)	FM (Factory Mutual / FM Approvals)
Founded	1894, U.S.	Early 1900s, U.S. (part of FM Global)
Primary Role	Independent safety certification for products	Certification focused on property loss prevention & risk reduction
Scope	Broad — consumer, commercial, and industrial products	Narrower — mainly industrial, high-hazard, and fire protection systems
Key Focus	Product safety and compliance with standards (e.g., NFPA, NEC)	Reliability and performance in real-world conditions; minimizing insurance risk
Common Approvals	Electrical devices, appliances, fire alarms, IT equipment, building materials	Fire sprinklers, suppression systems, detectors, industrial equipment
Marking	UL Listed / UL Recognized	FM Approved
Who Requires It	Building codes, AHJs (Authorities Having Jurisdiction), manufacturers	Industrial insurers (esp. FM Global), high-risk facility managers
Bottom Line	Ensures product is safe and code-compliant	Ensures product is tough, reliable, and proven to prevent property loss

Able Alarm and Electronic Protection, Inc operates under Able Alarm & Systems and Alacrity Alarm Services, LLC.
License information can be found under About, then License