What is UL? UL is the Underwriters Laboratories. It is a not-for-profit organization that is the leading 3rd party certification organization in the United States. Their mission is to evaluate products in the interest of public safety.

What is a UL Standard? It is a voluntary standard that would have to be adopted by a state or local agency to be enforced. It is a minimum standard used as a basis to test products. Products that pass testing are listed and receive a mark. The product is not approved, rather it is found to be in compliance with applicable standards. It is developed through an open process wherein any interested party can become involved in its development.

What is UL 325? UL 325 is a standard that applies to garage door operators; window, valance and blind operators; vertical door operators; and most recently, electric vehicular gate operators. Originally developed in the early 1970s, its most recent release, which included electric gate operators, was issued on September 18, 1998. It is a voluntary standard that became effective March 1, 2000. Although voluntary, the Consumer Products Safety Commission is expected to help enact federal legislation that will mandate changes in the requirements of vehicular gate operators. Initially voluntary, UL 325 will be effective in the legal realm, that is, there will be no police force checking for compliance but if an accident occurs or someone is injured, rest assured there will be attorneys familiar with it.

What is the purpose of UL 325? As it pertains to electric vehicular gate operators, UL 325 addresses the issue of entrapment - getting caught in the mechanism, not getting hit by it. The gate operator must have inherent entrapment sensing.