UL Solutions Inc. (NYSE: ULS), a global leader in applied safety science, today announced the development of a new Global Fire Science Center of Excellence in Northbrook, Illinois, enhancing the company’s global leadership position in the fire safety, security, and building and construction markets.
The Global Fire Science Center of Excellence will be located on UL Solutions’ 110-acre campus north of Chicago and will include both new construction and modernization of existing fire science laboratories.
“Fire safety testing represents the very core of our business, deeply intertwined with our founding principles,” said Jennifer Scanlon, president and CEO of UL Solutions. “From the beginnings of our company more than 130 years ago, public safety has guided our business, and fire safety still stands as a cornerstone of our mission of working for a safer world.”
The Global Fire Science Center of Excellence will address critical customer safety and sustainability industry needs with enhanced research capabilities, as well as testing and certification services for commercial and residential sprinklers, pipes, fittings, valves, fire extinguishers, firefighting foam, exterior walls and perimeter fire barrier systems. The facility will also provide verification services for fire protection systems, helping customers mitigate risk, meet building codes and insurance requirements, and support efforts to protect property and safeguard lives. The enhanced facility will test building and fire safety products from Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North America intended for sale worldwide.
The facility will also include a dedicated research and development hub for applied R&D services and science-based guidance in product safety areas for interested parties such as manufacturers, consultants, trade associations, industry groups and standards development committees. This proactive approach will enable the industry to minimize risks associated with new product development and accelerate innovation timelines.
UL Solutions provides a recognized and trusted benchmark for evaluating the fire resistance of products, materials and systems, which is crucial for public safety and regulatory compliance across industries. The UL Mark on a product signifies that it meets applicable requirements, providing confidence to consumers, building inspectors, designers, architects and authorities alike.
“With experience going back more than a century as a global leader in fire safety testing, UL Solutions has amassed extensive knowledge and expertise,” said Karine Johnfroe, vice president and general manager of the Built Environment group at UL Solutions. “Combining this knowledge and expertise with our new state-of-the-art Global Fire Science Center of Excellence will allow us to continue helping customers innovate for the next generation.”
