Green Bay, Wisconsin – May 23, 2026: IFSA is issuing a product advisory following a May 15, 2026 public notice from UL Solutions warning of fire sprinklers (model GL5651) manufactured by Fujian Guangbo Fire Equipment Co. Ltd. in China that bear unauthorized UL certification marks. These products have not been evaluated to applicable safety standards and may pose serious risks in the event of a fire.
UL Solutions has recommended that any suspect GL5651 fire sprinklers be removed from service immediately and replaced with properly certified products.
What We Know
The affected fire sprinklers bear an unauthorized UL certification mark and are labeled:
- Brand marking: GLOBE
- Model: GL5651
- Year: 2024
- Temperature: 155°F / 68°C
- Unauthorized marks: UL Mark and LPC certification mark
These products (see Figure 1) were not manufactured by Globe or its parent company Victaulic and were never authorized to carry UL or LPC certification marks.
Figure 1
How to Tell the Difference
Authentic Globe GL5651 automatic fire sprinklers can be distinguished from counterfeits in several ways:
- On authentic sprinklers, the date code appears on the deflector (the circular metal plate), not on the frame.
- Authentic Globe sprinklers do not use an O-Ring seal.
- Authentic GL5651 sprinklers do not carry the LPC certification mark.
- Globe was acquired by Victaulic in 2019 and had discontinued the “GLOBE” marking by 2024. Any GL5651 from 2022 or later bearing a “GLOBE” mark should be treated as suspect.
Why Certification Matters
Automatic fire sprinklers are life safety devices. Certified sprinklers are tested to confirm they activate at the correct temperature, deliver proper water distribution, and resist corrosion over time. A counterfeit or non-certified fire sprinkler may fail to activate, discharge at the wrong temperature, or deliver inadequate coverage. The consequences can be fatal.
What to Do
If you have purchased or installed GL5651 fire sprinklers bearing the above markings, take the following steps:
- Do not install suspect sprinklers. Remove any already in service and replace them with properly certified products.
- Contact your supplier and request documentation verifying the product’s certification status.
- Notify the local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) and the relevant certification body.
- Report the product to IFSA using our confidential reporting system (see below).
Report to IFSA
IFSA maintains a confidential reporting system for counterfeit and non-certified fire protection products. Your report helps protect the industry and the communities it serves.
Report a Counterfeit or Non-Certified Product
Full UL Solutions Notice
The complete UL Solutions public notice (reference 24PN-0056) is available at: https://www.ul.com/news/ul-solutions-warns-unauthorized-ul-marks-fire-sprinklers