Certifications, Approvals, & Patents
Engineering Excellence Backed by Rigorous Standards
At KiddeFenwal, quality and compliance are foundational to everything we do. Our products meet the most stringent global safety standards and hold certifications from regulatory bodies worldwide. We maintain a robust portfolio of patents that protect the proprietary technologies driving next-generation fire protection, from advanced clean agent delivery systems to intelligent detection platforms. These certifications, approvals, and innovations reflect our unwavering commitment to engineering solutions that perform reliably under the most demanding conditions, keeping people and assets safe while meeting the evolving requirements of industries and regulators around the world.
Certifications
Third-Party Verification of Safety & Performance
Tested. Validated. Trusted.
Certifications are more than credentials; they’re proof that our products have been rigorously tested by independent, accredited laboratories to meet or exceed recognized safety and performance standards. When you see a UL, FM, or ULC mark on a KiddeFenwal product, you can be confident it has undergone comprehensive evaluation for reliability, durability, and safety under real-world conditions.
KiddeFenwal products carry certifications from the world’s most respected testing organizations, demonstrating compliance with both domestic and international standards. These certifications ensure that our detection, suppression, and control technologies meet the highest benchmarks for quality and performance across diverse applications and environments.
Our commitment to certification extends across our entire product portfolio. From engineered gaseous suppression systems and pre-engineered chemical systems to precision mechanical controls and notification appliances, every KiddeFenwal solution is backed by the certifications required to protect lives and property with confidence.
Key Certifications & Testing Organizations
Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC)
FM Approvals (Factory Mutual)
Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB)
CE Marking (European Conformity)
California State Fire Marshal (CSFM):
United States Coast Guard
Canadian Coast Guard
Lloyds Register
American Bureau of Shipping
Marine Equipment Directory
Bureau Veritas
Det Norsk Veritas
ActiveFire
Approvals
Regulatory Authorization & Standards Compliance
Authorized for Use Where It Matters Most
From maritime vessels requiring U.S. Coast Guard approval to data centers demanding compliance with NFPA standards, KiddeFenwal’s extensive portfolio of regulatory approvals demonstrates our commitment to meeting the unique requirements of every industry we serve. These approvals give specifiers, installers, and end-users the confidence that our systems are not only effective but also fully compliant with the codes and regulations governing their use.
KiddeFenwal works closely with regulatory agencies worldwide to maintain current approvals and stay ahead of evolving standards. Our proactive approach to compliance ensures that our customers can specify and install KiddeFenwal systems with complete confidence in their regulatory standing.
Key Regulatory Approvals & Standards Bodies
United States Coast Guard (USCG)
USCG approval is mandatory for fire protection systems installed on marine vessels operating in U.S. waters. KiddeFenwal’s USCG-approved systems meet the rigorous requirements for maritime fire safety, protecting crew, passengers, and cargo aboard commercial and military ships, offshore platforms, and other marine installations.
International Marine Classification Societies
KiddeFenwal products hold approvals from leading international marine classification societies, including Lloyd’s Register, DNV (Det Norske Veritas), Bureau Veritas, and others. These approvals are essential for fire protection systems installed on vessels operating under international maritime regulations, ensuring compliance with the highest standards of marine safety.
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
NFPA develops and publishes codes and standards that are adopted as law by jurisdictions worldwide. KiddeFenwal systems are designed, tested, and documented to comply with key NFPA standards, including NFPA 72 (National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code), NFPA 2001 (Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems), NFPA 96 (Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations), and NFPA 17A (Wet Chemical Extinguishing Systems). Compliance with these standards ensures our products integrate seamlessly into code-compliant fire protection systems.
ISO Standards
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) develops globally recognized standards for quality management, environmental responsibility, and safety. KiddeFenwal products meet relevant ISO standards, supporting international compliance and demonstrating our commitment to consistent quality and performance worldwide.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SNAP Program
The EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program evaluates and approves fire suppression agents based on their environmental impact, ozone depletion potential, and global warming potential. KiddeFenwal’s clean agent systems use EPA SNAP-approved suppressants, including HFC-227ea, our proprietary Fluoro-K agent, and naturally occurring inert gases with zero ozone depletion and minimal environmental impact. This approval confirms that our agents are safe for use in normally occupied spaces and meet federal environmental regulations.
Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)
In addition to formal regulatory approvals, KiddeFenwal systems are regularly reviewed and accepted by local authorities having jurisdiction, including fire marshals, building officials, and insurance providers. Our technical documentation, system design support, and compliance resources help ensure smooth approval processes for projects across diverse jurisdictions and applications.
Patents
Protecting Innovation That Drives the Industry Forward
Proprietary Technologies. Competitive Advantages.
Innovation has always been at the heart of KiddeFenwal’s legacy, from Walter Kidde’s pioneering CO2 suppression systems in 1918 to today’s advanced clean agent platforms and intelligent detection technologies. Our commitment to research and development has resulted in a robust portfolio of patents protecting the proprietary technologies that differentiate our products and drive next-generation fire protection.
Patents provide legal protection for our inventions, ensuring that the innovations we develop remain exclusive to KiddeFenwal and our customers. These intellectual property rights cover critical aspects of our systems, including suppression agent delivery mechanisms, detection algorithms, control system architectures, mechanical components, and integration technologies. By protecting these innovations through patents, we secure our competitive position while continuing to invest in the research and development that keeps us at the forefront of fire protection technology.
Our patent portfolio spans multiple technology areas and reflects decades of continuous innovation across Kidde Fire Systems, Fenwal Controls, and Kidde Fire Protection. From the original patents on CO2 siphon devices that enabled rapid agent release in the 1920s to modern patents covering advanced nozzle designs, rate-compensated detection systems, and IoT-enabled monitoring platforms, KiddeFenwal’s intellectual property represents a century of engineering breakthroughs.
Our patents cover technologies that improve system performance, reduce installation costs, enhance safety, minimize environmental impact, and enable new applications for fire protection. They represent not only our past achievements but also our ongoing investment in solving the fire protection challenges of tomorrow.
Examples of KiddeFenwal Innovation
Our patented ADS technology enables smaller system footprints while protecting larger hazard areas, utilizing innovative agent delivery and piping configurations that reduce installation costs and maximize protection efficiency.
The rate-compensated heat detection mechanism at the core of DETECT-A-FIRE detectors represents a patented innovation that has set the standard for precision activation for over 65 years. This technology anticipates fire conditions by activating slightly below the set temperature during fast-rising heat events, while maintaining exact setpoint accuracy during slow heating — eliminating both false activations and delayed response.
Our IntelliSite™ platform integrates system diagnostics, remote monitoring, and IoT connectivity in a suppression industry first. These innovations enable faster response times, simplified maintenance, and enhanced system reliability.
Fenwal Controls' precision temperature sensors, gas ignition systems, and fire detection mechanisms are protected by patents covering their unique mechanical designs, calibration methods, and integration capabilities. These innovations enable OEMs worldwide to incorporate reliable, long-life control solutions into their equipment.
Quality Without Compromise
The combination of third-party certifications, regulatory approvals, and patent-protected innovations positions KiddeFenwal as a leader in fire protection technology. These credentials are not simply checkboxes, they represent a comprehensive commitment to quality, compliance, and continuous improvement that runs through every aspect of our business.
When you choose KiddeFenwal, you’re selecting solutions backed by the most recognized safety organizations, authorized by the most demanding regulatory bodies, and powered by innovations protected through one of the industry’s most extensive patent portfolios. You’re choosing engineering excellence validated by independent testing, compliance confirmed by regulatory authorities, and technologies that are advancing fire protection for the industries that power modern life.
From the hyperscale data centers protecting the world’s digital infrastructure to the commercial kitchens feeding communities to the battery energy storage systems enabling the clean energy transition, KiddeFenwal’s certified, approved, and patented technologies are on the job, protecting lives, livelihoods, and icons around the globe.
