UL 268A | UL Standards & Engagement

Smoke Detectors for Duct Application

UL Standard

Scope

00268a-000000-000000

1 Scope

1.1 These requirements cover air duct smoke detectors intended for indoor use within or protruding into a duct, or mounted in a housing with sampling tubes extending into or traversing a duct. Air duct smoke detectors are intended to be installed in ducts where the maximum air temperature inside the duct does not exceed 100°F (38°C), nor does the minimum temperature become less than 32°F (0°C), in accordance with the Standard for Automatic Fire Detectors, NFPA 72, and the Standard for the Installation of Air Conditioning and Ventilating Systems, NFPA 90A.

1.2 An air duct smoke detector unit, as covered by these requirements, is intended to detect smoke for the primary purpose of controlling blowers and dampers of air conditioning and ventilating systems to reduce the risk of panic and damage from distribution of smoke and gaseous products. Each unit consists of an assembly of electrical components, including a sensing means to detect smoke (sensing head or projected beam assembly), sampling tubes or equivalent (based on design), provision for connection to a source of power, and means for generating a signal when smoke is detected. It is not prohibited that remote control circuits be provided. A detector shall be powered from a commercial power source, separate power supply, or be connected to a control unit as part of a fire protection signaling system. Duct detectors are not intended as a substitute for open area protection.

1.3 These requirements cover detectors:

a) Intended to control air conditioning and ventilating systems,
b) Intended for control of releasing devices, such as fire and smoke dampers, or
c) Both (a) and (b).

1.4 These requirements do not cover:

a) Control units that are covered by the Standard for Control Units and Accessories for Fire Alarm Systems, UL 864, to which the air duct smoke detectors are connected.
b) Single and multiple station smoke detectors covered by the Standard for Smoke Alarms, UL 217.
c) Smoke detectors intended for open area protection or releasing device service, or both, covered by the Standard for Smoke Detectors for Fire Alarm Systems, UL 268.
d) Smoke detectors integral with combination door closers and holders, covered by the Standard for Door Closers-Holders, With or Without Integral Smoke Detectors, UL 228.
e) Commercial-resident detectors not intended for connection to a system control unit that are covered by the Standard for Smoke Detector Monitors and Accessories for Individual Living Units of Multifamily Residences and Hotel/Motel Rooms, UL 1730.

1.5 A product that contains features, characteristics, components, materials, or systems new or different from those covered by the requirements in this standard, and that involves a risk of fire or of electric shock or injury to persons shall be evaluated using appropriate additional component and end-product requirements to maintain the level of safety as originally anticipated by the intent of this standard. A product whose features, characteristics, components, materials, or systems conflict with specific requirements or provisions of this standard does not comply with this standard. Revision of requirements shall be proposed and adopted in conformance with the methods employed for development, revision, and implementation of this standard.

Summary of Topics

Summary of Topics s268A_4_sum.html

Summary of Topics

This revisions of ANSI/UL 268A dated August 18, 2020 includes Wiring, Grounding, and Related Requirements and Instructions; 3.11, Section 4, Table 5.2, 9.1.2, 9.2.1, 9.2.4, 9.3.1 – 9.3.5, 9.4.1, 9.5.2, Section 9.8, 10.1.1 – 10.1.6, 10.3.1 – 10.3.3, 10.5.1, 11.1 – 11.4, 11.6, 11.10, Section 24.3, 25.3.1(i), 36.5.1.1, 51.1, Section 51.3, 55.3(e)

Standard 268A, Edition 4 Edition Date: December 11, 2008 ANSI Approved: August 18, 2020 $505.00-$1,258.00

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Date
August 18, 2020	Redline	Revision
August 12, 2016	Redline	Revision
October 02, 2014		Revision
September 25, 2009		Revision

Date

August 18, 2020

Redline

Revision

August 12, 2016

Redline

Revision

October 02, 2014

Revision

September 25, 2009

Revision

CSDS Proposal CSDS Proposals An electronic document associated with a UL Standard for Safety or Outline of Investigation, and issued by UL to propose: A revision of a single or multiple requirement(s). A complete new edition of an existing Standard or Outline. A new Standard or Outline that has not previously been published. CSDS Proposals provide access to view the proposal and submit comments within UL's Collaborative Standards Development System (CSDS) appropriately. ×
February 03, 2023
May 23, 2022
May 29, 2020
April 24, 2020
July 01, 2016
January 21, 2016
August 01, 2014
May 08, 2009

CSDS Proposal

CSDS Proposals

An electronic document associated with a UL Standard for Safety or Outline of Investigation, and issued by UL to propose:

A revision of a single or multiple requirement(s).
A complete new edition of an existing Standard or Outline.
A new Standard or Outline that has not previously been published.

CSDS Proposals provide access to view the proposal and submit comments within UL's Collaborative Standards Development System (CSDS) appropriately.

February 03, 2023

May 23, 2022

May 29, 2020

April 24, 2020

July 01, 2016

January 21, 2016

August 01, 2014

May 08, 2009

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Bulletin Bulletins These bulletins are not used in CSDS. These are announcement and report type bulletins. ×	Summary of Topics (SOT)
April 23, 2014	View Summary of Topics m0217_7_20140423_sum.html Subject 217 (268 268A) Bulletin Dated: April 23, 2014 SUMMARY OF TOPICS The following topics were discussed at the meeting of the Standards Technical Panel for Smoke Detectors and Alarms: 1. Proposed Seventh Edition of UL 217 2. Harmonization Effort 3. Update from Polyurethane Foam Task Group 4. Update from Markings Task Group 5. Update from Nuisance Alarm Task Group 6. IRLED Light Degradation Determination 7. Aspirated Smoke Detectors 8. Discussion Concerning Batteries 9. Discussion Concerning Smoke Detectors for Semi-Trucks 10. Low Power Wireless Transmission
April 23, 2009	View Summary of Topics m0217_6_20090423_sum.html Subject 217 (268, 268A) Bulletin Dated: April 23, 2009 SUMMARY OF TOPICS The following topics were discussed at the meeting of the Standards Technical Panel for Smoke Detectors and Alarms, STP 217: 1. Discussion of International Harmonization (US adoption of ISO standards) 2. Proposal - Clarification of Smoldering Smoke Test wood stick amount and orientation - UL 217 3. Proposal - Clarification of Smoldering Smoke Test wood stick amount and orientation - UL 268 4. Discussion - Report of Task Group on Surge Immunity 5. Proposal - New Surge Tests - UL 217 6. Proposal - Addition of a reference to NFPA 302 in Scope - UL 217 7. Discussion - Report of Task Group on Alarm Thresholds 8. Discussion - Report of Task Group on Nuisance Alarms 9. Proposal - Alarm Threshold Revisions - UL 217 10. Proposal - Alarm Threshold Revisions - UL 268 11. Proposal - Addition of lower beam limits for Flammable Liquid Fuel Fire - UL 217 12. Proposal - Addition of lower beam limits for Flammable Liquid Fuel Fire - UL 268 13. Proposal - Clarification of battery removal indication for AC powered with battery back-up smoke alarms - UL 217 14. Proposal - Alternative to cleaning following Dust Test exposure - UL 217 15. Proposal - Extended Temperature Range Testing - UL 268 16. Proposal - Clarification of Test Temperature Requirements - UL 268A 17. Discussion - Smoke Alarm audible signal effectiveness in alerting individuals who are sleeping or hearing impaired 18. Discussion - Marine vs. RV smoke detector requirements: Should the requirements be consolidated due to the limited differences 19. Discussion - Legislative update 20. Proposal - Establishing standardized marking of smoke alarms 21. Proposal - Establishing standardized marking of smoke alarm packaging 22. Discussion - Report of Task Group on Smoke Profiles 23. Discussion - Recommended replacement frequency of smoke detectors 24. Discussion - Proposed new task group on multicriteria smoke detectors 25. Discussion - Requirements for Video Image Smoke Detectors 26. Discussion - Report of Task Group on markings and instructions regarding selection and installation of photo and ion detectors 27. Discussion - Report of Task Groups on new standard for aerosol test sprays 28. Proposal from Task Group 1 on aerosol test sprays (base standard) - New, proposed Standard, ANSI/UL 268X, Standard for Aerosol Sprays Used for Functional Testing of Smoke Detectors/Smoke Alarms 29. Additional STP 217 Agenda Topic regarding NFPA 72 requirements for testing wireless interconnectors 30. Additional STP 217 Agenda Topic regarding vibration and shaking units for the hearing impared 31. Additional STP 217 Agenda Topic regarding smoke detector requirements in the post-newspaper age 32. Additional STP 217 Agenda Topic regarding air sampling type smoke detectors 33. Additional STP 217 Agenda Topic regarding discussion of detectors with batteries having a 10 year life span

Bulletin

Bulletins

These bulletins are not used in CSDS. These are announcement and report type bulletins.

Summary of Topics (SOT)

April 23, 2014

View

Summary of Topics m0217_7_20140423_sum.html

Subject 217 (268 268A)

Bulletin Dated: April 23, 2014

SUMMARY OF TOPICS

The following topics were discussed at the meeting of the Standards Technical Panel for Smoke Detectors and Alarms:

1. Proposed Seventh Edition of UL 217

2. Harmonization Effort

3. Update from Polyurethane Foam Task Group

4. Update from Markings Task Group

5. Update from Nuisance Alarm Task Group

6. IRLED Light Degradation Determination

7. Aspirated Smoke Detectors

8. Discussion Concerning Batteries

9. Discussion Concerning Smoke Detectors for Semi-Trucks

10. Low Power Wireless Transmission

April 23, 2009

View

Summary of Topics m0217_6_20090423_sum.html

Subject 217 (268, 268A)

Bulletin Dated: April 23, 2009

SUMMARY OF TOPICS

The following topics were discussed at the meeting of the Standards Technical Panel for Smoke Detectors and Alarms, STP 217:

1. Discussion of International Harmonization (US adoption of ISO standards)

2. Proposal - Clarification of Smoldering Smoke Test wood stick amount and orientation - UL 217

3. Proposal - Clarification of Smoldering Smoke Test wood stick amount and orientation - UL 268

4. Discussion - Report of Task Group on Surge Immunity

5. Proposal - New Surge Tests - UL 217

6. Proposal - Addition of a reference to NFPA 302 in Scope - UL 217

7. Discussion - Report of Task Group on Alarm Thresholds

8. Discussion - Report of Task Group on Nuisance Alarms

9. Proposal - Alarm Threshold Revisions - UL 217

10. Proposal - Alarm Threshold Revisions - UL 268

11. Proposal - Addition of lower beam limits for Flammable Liquid Fuel Fire - UL 217

12. Proposal - Addition of lower beam limits for Flammable Liquid Fuel Fire - UL 268

13. Proposal - Clarification of battery removal indication for AC powered with battery back-up smoke alarms - UL 217

14. Proposal - Alternative to cleaning following Dust Test exposure - UL 217

15. Proposal - Extended Temperature Range Testing - UL 268

16. Proposal - Clarification of Test Temperature Requirements - UL 268A

17. Discussion - Smoke Alarm audible signal effectiveness in alerting individuals who are sleeping or hearing impaired

18. Discussion - Marine vs. RV smoke detector requirements: Should the requirements be consolidated due to the limited differences

19. Discussion - Legislative update

20. Proposal - Establishing standardized marking of smoke alarms

21. Proposal - Establishing standardized marking of smoke alarm packaging

22. Discussion - Report of Task Group on Smoke Profiles

23. Discussion - Recommended replacement frequency of smoke detectors

24. Discussion - Proposed new task group on multicriteria smoke detectors

25. Discussion - Requirements for Video Image Smoke Detectors

26. Discussion - Report of Task Group on markings and instructions regarding selection and installation of photo and ion detectors

27. Discussion - Report of Task Groups on new standard for aerosol test sprays

28. Proposal from Task Group 1 on aerosol test sprays (base standard) - New, proposed Standard, ANSI/UL 268X, Standard for Aerosol Sprays Used for Functional Testing of Smoke Detectors/Smoke Alarms

29. Additional STP 217 Agenda Topic regarding NFPA 72 requirements for testing wireless interconnectors

30. Additional STP 217 Agenda Topic regarding vibration and shaking units for the hearing impared

31. Additional STP 217 Agenda Topic regarding smoke detector requirements in the post-newspaper age

32. Additional STP 217 Agenda Topic regarding air sampling type smoke detectors

33. Additional STP 217 Agenda Topic regarding discussion of detectors with batteries having a 10 year life span

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Standard	Edition	Title
268	8	Smoke Detectors for Fire Alarm Systems
529	5	Smoke Detectors for Fire Alarm Systems

Standard

Edition

Title

268

Smoke Detectors for Fire Alarm Systems

529

Smoke Detectors for Fire Alarm Systems

Standards & Publications

Smoke Detectors for Duct Application

Revisions and Related Documents

UL 268A is referenced in the following list of UL Standards

Smoke Detectors for Duct Application

1 Scope

Summary of Topics

Revisions and Related Documents

Subject 217 (268 268A)

Bulletin Dated: April 23, 2014

SUMMARY OF TOPICS

Subject 217 (268, 268A)

Bulletin Dated: April 23, 2009

SUMMARY OF TOPICS

UL 268A is referenced in the following list of UL Standards

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