How to contact a nationally recognized testing laboratory

Fire and building officials are confronted from time to time with the need for professional product, equipment, process or chemical testing, inspection and evaluation services. The model codes refer to the term “nationally recognized” testing laboratories, but give little selection guidance.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) maintains a list of its “nationally recognized testing laboratories.” The labs on its list may be retained to determine that specific equipment and materials meet consensus-based safety standards. They can provide the assurance that these products are safe for use in the U.S. workplace.

Testing laboratories selected from the list also may be used to evaluate products, equipment, processes, materials or chemicals to verify compliance with model building and fire codes and standards. The code official has the authority to approve a testing laboratory from this list or other test facilities not on the list.

OSHA nationally recognized testing laboratories