AHAM Announces Unattended Cooking Fire Project

The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) October 7 shared basic aspects of a proposed test on electric coil element cooktops with the panel for UL 858, Standard for Safety for Household Electric Ranges.

Wayne Morris, AHAM vice president, technical operations and standards, preempted a discussion on fire mitigation strategy proposals by stating that his organization is planning to submit a proposal to both UL and CSA by the end of 2014.

He described the work-in-progress test as centering on the prevention of common cooking oil ignition fires in an easy-to-understand and repeatable manner.

One attendee asked about how the review and approval process for proposals worked, and a UL representative said that since AHAM has members on the standards technical panel, the proposal would be discussed with industry members and UL staff so likely would not need the formation of an advanced group for review.

Another meeting attendee pressed for additional details on the proposal. Morris responded, “We believe that the simpler we can make the test, the better it will be.” He added that in many cases, English is not the user’s primary language, so language needs to be direct in regards to the oil, pan(s), heating setting, and timing.

A manufacturer representative asked if the proposal would include glass and/or ceramic cooktops. Morris replied that there was on-going work by CPSC, so those types of cooktops would be addressed later.

The same day, the organization released a description of the plan:

“…a test procedure to evaluate sensors and other devices that will prevent cookware from reaching the ignition temperatures associated with common cooking oils. This new test procedure initially will apply to electric cooktop requirements, helping to reduce the potential for surface cooking fires. The industry will prioritize standards development for electric coil ranges and cooktops, which represent the majority of cooking-fire-related incidents. In parallel with collaborating with UL and CSA on this important phase, technical and product safety experts in AHAM member companies will be working together to determine how similar tests and requirements ultimately can be applied to radiant glass ceramic, induction, and gas cooktops and ranges.”

Learn more at www.aham.org/ht/a/GetDocumentAction/i/74829.

Watch a video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIjd4CAXdaA.