APRIL 12, 2013
CPSC staff participates as a non-voting member on Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Standards Technical Panel (STP) for UL 2201 Portable Engine-Generator Assemblies, which UL issued as a standard in March 2009. Staff’s primary interest is to reduce the carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning hazard associated with this product. As of June 2010, the CPSC databases contain records of at least 542 deaths from CO poisoning associated with consumers’ use of generators in the period from 1999 through 2009.
Staff recommends that requirements be developed to address consumer exposure to unsafe CO emissions. Staff also advocates the establishment of requirements for safe outdoor use of generators in rain or other wet conditions, to reduce the potential risk of shock or electrocution and to help reduce the incidence of consumers improperly using generators in indoor locations. UL 2201 currently has requirements for rainproof enclosures, weather-resistant and weather-protected receptacles, and ground-fault circuit-interrupters on 125-volt AC output circuits.
Related Regulation
Letters and Comments
- April 22, 2022
CPSC Staff Letter on the Fatal Incident involving PGMA G300-2018 Certified Generator
- November 30, 2017
CPSC Staff Comments and Ballot on BSR/PGMA G300-201x, Safety and Performance of Portable Generators
- November 30, 2017
- March 28, 2017
PGMA Letter to Members of the UL 2201 Standards Technical Panel
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February 28, 2017
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February 10, 2017
PGMA Seeks Canvass Members for proposed Revisions for PGMA's Safety Standard to Add Requirements for CO Emissions
- September 16, 2016
- March 6, 2015
- January 5, 2015
CPSC Staff Comments to PGMA Concerning Draft Safety Standard For Portable Generators
- August 19, 2014
PGMA Seeks Canvass Members for Draft Safety Standard for Portable Generators
- February 11, 2014
UL Requests Volunteers for Task Group for Portable Generators
- January 14, 2014
- January 12, 2016
- October 7, 2015
- February 17, 2015
Draft Test Method for UL 2201 Task Group for Determining CO Emission Rate of Portable Generators
- July 2, 2014
- May 13, 2014
CPSC Staff Presentation: Recommendations on Revisions to UL 2201
- March 7, 2014
Portable Generator Manufacturers’ Association Response to CPSC Staff Letter to UL
- June 12, 2013
- January 23, 2013
- December 17, 2007
CPSC Staff Comments on Request for Comments and Ballot on Subject 2201
- July 16, 2007
- March 15, 2006
- February 13, 2006
- January 31, 2005
- September 14, 2004
- October 22, 2003
- May 8, 2003
Meetings
- November 16, 2016
Presentation – Portable Generators and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- November 18, 2010
Introductory meeting with Portable Generator Manufacturers Association
- September 17, 2007