Kerry Bell

Primary Designated Engineer
UL

Over the course of his 30-year career with UL, Kerry Bell has been recognized as a leader in the development and implementation of Codes and Standards for fire sprinklers and sprinkler system equipment.  He is well known and highly respected by the Sprinkler Industry, the Code Development Community and the Regulatory Community for his technical expertise in fire suppression systems.

Mr. Bell has actively applied his fire protection engineering education and experience in evaluating sprinklers and related equipment to advance the state-of-the-art in active fire suppression.  He has made innumerable contributions through leadership in the application of improved and new technology to develop UL Safety Standards for fire sprinklers and related fire sprinkler system equipment.  Of particular note are the contributions he made to the development and implementation of requirements for plastic sprinkler piping.

Mr. Bell has readily shared his knowledge throughout his career, through active participation and leadership in technical and professional organizations.  He has been recognized by UL, as well as by other organizations, in various ways for his accomplishments and contributions.

Mr. Bell has served as an active member of more than two-dozen national and international technical committees involved with the development of standards and codes for sprinklers and related sprinkler system equipment.  His standing in the Codes and Standards Community was underscored by his appointment to serve as a member of the prestigious National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards Council.  The 13 members of the NFPA Standards Council serve as the final arbiter for the issuance of the internationally recognized NFPA Codes and Standards.  This appointment reflects NFPA's respect for Mr. Bell's important, effective, sound and unbiased contributions, over many years, to the development of NFPA Codes.

Mr. Bell has been called upon on numerous occasions to take responsibility for addressing some of the most challenging issues and opportunities facing UL.  When the long-term performance of polymer sprinkler seals came into question, Mr. Bell assumed leadership for developing an understanding of the fundamental performance and failure characteristics of the materials, and worked closely with Industry, Government and Regulatory Authorities to bring about successful resolution of the situation that might otherwise have become extremely contentious.

Mr. Bell also served in a lead role in developing design criteria for UL's David Gratz Fire Test Center at Northbrook, Illinois.  This facility has served, through nearly a decade of use, to help position UL as the world's premier fire suppression testing organization.

Mr. Bell has served as a mentor and teacher, freely sharing his knowledge and providing leadership through technical advice and direction to others both at UL and elsewhere.  He has always focused on UL's Mission of Public Safety as his first priority in all of his activities and in all of his relationships to Underwriters Laboratories Inc.