Portable Generators (Last Updated 10/23/2007)
As part of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) strategic goal to reduce carbon monoxide poisoning deaths, CPSC staff is participating in development of the first voluntary safety standard for portable generators, Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 2201, Portable Engine-Generator Assemblies, to address hazards associated with the typical use of these products, primarily issues related to CO poisoning. Through the UL Standards Technical Panel (STP) that is developing UL 2201, staff recommended that requirements be developed to address the following:
Consumer exposure to unsafe CO emissions;
- Safe outdoor use of generators in rain or other poor weather conditions to reduce the potential risk of shock or electrocution;
- Cautionary markings for the product, packaging, and instructions to adequately warn consumers of the CO and electrocution hazards and inform them of the appropriate safety measures; and
- Satisfactory engine operability when used in cold, damp weather which induces ambient icing.
At present, the draft standard includes requirements only for cautionary markings to address the CO poisoning hazard. Until the standard is finalized, UL has issued an Outline of Investigation for portable generators which establishes UL certification requirements. The UL Outline includes requirements for labeling to alert consumers of the dangerous CO poisoning hazard, which was recommended by CPSC staff. The Outline also includes other warning and advisory information, as well as requirements to permit safe use in rain (rainproof enclosure, while-in-use receptacle covers, and ground-fault circuit-interrupters on all AC output circuits).
As of June 2005, 274 CO poisoning deaths associated with portable generators had been reported to CPSC from 1990 through 2004. Of these 274 fatalities, 172 occurred in the years 1999 through 2004. Typical incident scenarios include the use of generators in basements or crawlspaces, in attached garages, within the living spaces in the home, or in close proximity to the home.
Former CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton directed the CPSC staff to undertake a thorough review of the status of portable generator safety. The staff has collected market information, analyzed incident data pertaining to the CO poisoning hazard, characterized the health hazard posed by generator engine CO emissions, and is exploring options to reduce the risk associated with the use of these products.
Additional Information
Safety Alerts:
Fact Sheets:
Regulatory Activities
- Portable Generators; Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; Comments CC 07-3-1 through CC 07-10 (as of February 15, 2007)
- Portable Generators; Final Rule; Labeling Requirements - CORRECTION, January 18, 2007; CPSC Federal Register Notice
- Portable Generators; Final Rule; Labeling Requirements, effective May 14, 2007, January 12, 2007; CPSC Federal Register Notice. See CORRECTION immediately above.
Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Portable Generators; Request for Comments and Information, December 12, 2006
- Final Rule: Labeling Requirements for Portable Generators, December 2006; CPSC Commission Briefing Package
- Portable Generators: Staff Briefing Package for ANPR, Staff Review of Portable Generator Safety, October 2006
Voluntary Standard and Code Activities
Correspondence to Underwriters Laboratories
December 17, 2007. CPSC Staff Comments on Request for Comments and Ballot on Subject 2201, Portable Engine Generator Assemblies, dated November 2, 2007Correspondence to Underwriters Laboratories
July 16, 2007. CPSC Staff Comments on Proposal for UL 2201 Edition 1, Portable Engine Generator Assemblies, dated May 11, 2007Correspondence to Underwriters Laboratories
March 15, 2006. CPSC Staff Comments on UL’s Draft Outline of Investigation, 2201 Portable Engine-Generator AssembliesCorrespondence to Underwriters Laboratories
February 13, 2006. CPSC Staff Comments on UL’s Draft Outline of Investigation, 2201 Portable Engine-Generator AssembliesCorrespondence to Underwriters Laboratories
January 31, 2005. Re: Request for Comments on UL correspondence dated December 10, 2004 pertaining to Subject 2201 Portable Engine Generator Assemblies- Correspondence to Underwriters Laboratories
September 14, 2004. Re: Request for Comments on UL correspondence dated May 21, 2004 pertaining to Subject 2201 Portable Engine Generator Assemblies- Correspondence to Underwriters Laboratories
October 22, 2003. Re: Request for Comments on the Proposed 1st Edition of the Standard for Portable Engine-Generator Assemblies, UL 2201 (Ref: Comment resolution matrix for UL 2201, which provides the comments and dispositions, agreed upon by those attending the July 15-16 UL 2201 STP meeting)- Correspondence to Underwriters Laboratories
May 8, 2003. Re: Request for Comments on the Proposed 1st Edition of the Standard for Portable Engine-Generator Assemblies, UL 2201, and Ballot for ANSI Recognition
Contact Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
For further information concerning draft UL 2201 Standard for Portable Engine-Generator Assemblies, please contact Diana Pappas Jordan at Diana.Pappas.Jordan@us.ul.com
Contact CPSC
For additional information or to comment, please contact cpsc-os@cpsc.gov
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