Many are intrigued with some of the changes that have been introduced and adopted toward consistent services through the COVID-19 pandemic — everything from changes to business logistics to actually augmenting UL standards to accommodate work-from-home (WFH) staffing.
Previously and unrelated to the pandemic, UL introduced another meaningful addition to the existing UL 827 standard for central station UL listing compliance. When UL 827A was approved and adopted, this change made way for meaningful options for monitoring centers of all shapes and sizes. UL 827A permits existing UL-listed centers to earn the additional UL 827A listing that allows them to deliver hosting to other central stations. This addition provides the guidance for a UL 827A-listed central station to offer alternative structures and methods to other new or existing UL-listed central stations. The alternate choices relate to the structure, location, and implementation of their software and/or hardware, including new options on the hosting placement and the location of their servers, software, central station receivers, and telephone systems.