4.2        Approved Testing Laboratories for Electrical Systems

All equipment and materials shall be tested and labeled by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. A current list of recognized laboratories should always be available on the following website, and should be regularly referred to for updates: MD Fire Marshal - Code Enforcement, Approved Contractors, & Regulations

Background:

Electrical Testing Laboratories are qualified private organizations that meet the requirements in 29 CFR 1910.7 to perform independent (i.e., third-party) safety testing and product certification, and thereby receive OSHA recognition. To be recognized by OSHA, an organization must: (1) Have the appropriate capability to test and evaluate products for workplace safety purposes; (2) be completely independent of the manufacturers, vendors, and users of the products for which OSHA requires certification; (3) have internal programs that ensure proper control of the testing and certification process; and (4) establish effective reporting and complaint handling procedures (29 CFR 1910.7(b)).

Any testing laboratory that is listed or otherwise recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, National Voluntary Laboratories Accreditation Program (NVLAP), International Accreditation Service, Inc., or the International Code Council, is automatically accepted by the Office of the Fire Marshal and MDOT MAA.