UL 1480A

Speakers for Commercial and Professional Use

UL 1480A

Scope

1.1 These requirements cover speakers for indoor and/or outdoor use in dry, damp, wet, or underwater locations and are intended for one or more of the following:

• a) Commercial and professional audio systems providing non-emergency sound reinforcement and reproduction in accordance with the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70 (this includes equipment for institutional, industrial use);
• b) Non-fire emergency voice-warning systems in accordance with NFPA 70; examples of non-fire emergency-warning systems include, but are not limited to:
  • 1) Critical process monitoring (nuclear plant, oil refinery, hazardous chemical processing);
  • 2) Distress alert systems (help for handicapped, for life safety, for rape, for robbery);
  • 3) Crowd control in public places (sporting arena, theater, shopping mall, transportation center); and
  • 4) Non-fire emergency voice-systems covered by the Life Safety Code, NFPA 101.
• c) Underwater speakers in accordance with Article 680 of NFPA 70. An underwater speaker is not to be used in a fire alarm system or as an emergency (non-fire) voice-warning system.

1.2 These requirements do not cover the following:

a) Speakers intended for use in hazardous locations as defined in the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70; this includes speakers tested with the requirements in the Standard for Explosion-Proof and Dust-Ignition-Proof Electrical Equipment For Use In Hazardous (Classified) Locations, UL 1203;
• b) Speakers intended for personal or private consumer use; this includes speakers for household/domestic use covered by the requirements in the Standard for Audio-Video Products and Accessories, UL 1492 and the Standard for Audio/Video and Musical Instrument Apparatus for Household, Commercial, and Similar General Use, UL 6500;
• c) Speakers which are intended for commercial or professional audio applications and which employ integral active electronics; these products are covered in the Standard for Commercial Audio Equipment, UL 813; the Standard for Professional Video and Audio Equipment, UL 1419; and the commercial audio amplifier applications covered in UL 6500; and
• d) Speakers intended for security applications; these products are covered in the Standard for Local Burglar Alarm Units and Systems, UL 609; and the Standard for Household Burglar-Alarm System Units, UL 1023.
1.3 Speakers intended for use with fire alarm systems are covered by Standard for Speakers for Fire Alarm and Signaling Systems, Including Accessories, UL 1480. Speakers with integral amplifiers must comply with the requirements in UL 1480 and the Standard for Amplifiers for Fire Protective Signaling Systems, UL 1711.

1.4 Speakers intended for use with emergency and non-emergency systems and having integral amplifiers must comply with this standard in addition to the requirements in the Standard for General-Purpose Signaling Devices and Systems, UL 2017.

1.5 Speakers intended for use in air-handling spaces in accordance with Installation of Air Conditioning and Ventilating Systems, NFPA 90A, shall comply with the requirements in this standard and the requirements in the Standard for Fire Test for Heat and Visible Smoke Release for Discrete Products and Their Accessories Installed in Air-Handling Spaces, UL 2043.