1. LARGE LOSS FIRES: LESSONS LEARNED
Office of State Fire Marshal – Department of Fire Services
& Department of Public Safety
March 2009

2. GEORGETOWN 1/3/2007

3. RALEIGH, NC 2/22/2007

4. NORWICH, CT 2/26/2007

5. BEVERLY 5/3/2007

6. PEABODY 5/29/2008

7. GLOUCESTER 12/15/2007

8. ©Doug Boudrow
MARBLEHEAD 11/12/2005

9. DANVERS 4/7/2007

10. E. LONGMEADOW 9/28/2007

11. CONSHOHOCKEN, PA 8/13/2008

12. NEWTON 2/9/2000

13. DANVERS 11/26/2006

14. UXBRIDGE 7/21/2007

15. NYC 9/11/2001

16. WEST WARWICK, RI 2/20/2003

17. Be able to recount recent large loss fire incidents from this decade
OBJECTIVE
Be able to recount recent large loss fire incidents from this decade
Identify preventative fire safety tools that reduce the likelihood of similar future fire incidents.
Department of Fire Services

18. AGENDA PART I – Overview of recent significant fires
PART II – Review resulting enforcement & code issues
PART III – Prevention tools
Department of Fire Services

19. Overview of recent significant fires
PART I
Overview of recent significant fires
Department of Fire Services

20. LARGE LOSS FIRES - DEFINED
According to the NFPA: large loss fires are defined as events that lead to property damage of at least $5 million.
Department of Fire Services

21. GEORGETOWN MA
Longview at Georgetown
Department of Fire Services

22. The Building: Longview at Georgetown
Department of Fire Services

23. Georgetown: Building Construction
Department of Fire Services

24. Georgetown: Building Construction
Constructed in 2004
Apartment complex
Wood Frame with truss roof construction
Sprinkler system: NFPA 13R (No sprinkler system in the attic or concealed spaces)
Exterior:Vinyl siding
Two 12 unit buildings which were attached and offset
3 ½ stories high (top floor apt.’s had loft’s)
Department of Fire Services

25. The Fire: Jan. 3, 2007 7 Patriot Lane - Georgetown
Department of Fire Services

26. Georgetown: Cause & Origin Determination
Undetermined
Fire started on 3rd floor balcony
Spread to vinyl siding
Extended upward on exterior into attic
Department of Fire Services

27. Georgetown: The Aftermath
Department of Fire Services

28. Highlands at Dearborn Apartments
PEABODY MA
Highlands at Dearborn Apartments
Department of Fire Services

29. The Building: Highlands at Dearborn Apartment - Peabody
Department of Fire Services

30. Building Construction: Highlands at Dearborn Apartment - Peabody
Constructed in 2006
Wood frame with truss roof construction.
Sprinkler System: NFPA 13R+ (sprinklers in bathrooms, closets, some overhangs; no sprinklers in attic or concealed spaces)
Exterior: Vinyl Siding
The length of the structure was approx. 250 feet
Varying width between approximately 12 feet to 85 feet depending on location within the structure.
The structure had one story below grade and three stories above grade.
Department of Fire Services

31. The Building: Highlands at Dearborn Apartment - Peabody
Area of structure (square feet)
Basement
First (Ground)
Second
Third
Aggregate (All floors)
Department of Fire Services

32. The Fire: May 29, 2008 Highlands at Dearborn – 8 Ashford Trial Peabody
Department of Fire Services

33. Peabody: Cause & Origin Determination
Careless disposal of smoking materials
Mulch fire spread to vinyl siding
Mulch fire caused failure of gas meter bank
Extended upward on exterior into attic
Fire spread throughout attic
Department of Fire Services

34. Peabody: The Aftermath
Department of Fire Services

35. NORWICH CT
Department of Fire Services
Stonington Estates

36. Building Construction: Stonington Estates - Norwich
Constructed in 2005
Condominium complex
Wood Frame with truss roof construction
Sprinkler System: NFPA 13R (no sprinkler system in the attic or concealed spaces)
Exterior: Vinyl siding
Size: 222’ x 56’ = sq. ft/floor
3 stories, No basement
Department of Fire Services

37. The Fire: Feb. 26, 2007 102 Stonington Rd - Norwich
Department of Fire Services

38. Norwich: Cause & Origin Determination
Undetermined origin
Fire started on exterior porch
Extended to vinyl siding
Extended upward on exterior into attic
Department of Fire Services

39. RALEIGH NC
Pine Knoll Townes
Department of Fire Services

40. The Buildings: Pine Knoll Townes - Raleigh
Department of Fire Services

41. Building Construction: Pine Knoll Townes - Raleigh
Construction began in 2006 and was ongoing. Project was ¼ built out
Wood Frame with truss roof construction
Vinyl siding
Smoke detectors and sprinklers in the living spaces
Townhouse complex
2 story, 3 bedroom units, 4 units per bldg
Department of Fire Services

42. The Fire: Raleigh
Feb 22, units destroyed, 16 units damaged, 13 cars lost
Department of Fire Services

43. Fire extension: Raleigh
Department of Fire Services

44. Raleigh: Cause & Origin Determination
Discarded smoking material
Ignited landscaping products
Fire ignited the vinyl siding
Extended up ward into attic space
Wind caused fire to jump from building to building
Department of Fire Services

45. AUBURN MA Lodge at Eddy Pond (Assisted living complex)
Department of Fire Services

46. The Fire: Lodge at Eddy Pond - Auburn
669 Washington Street
January 10, 2006, 2 Alarms
Sprinklers contained the fire
Department of Fire Services

47. Building Construction: Lodge at Eddy Pond - Auburn
Recently built
Wood frame construction
Vinyl siding
60’ x 400’ x 3 stories
85 residents
NFPA 13R+ Sprinkler system (additional sprinklers in the attic)
Department of Fire Services

48. Cause & Origin Determination: Auburn
Undetermined
Fire spread up exterior
Fire spread into attic space
Fire controlled by fire sprinklers in attic
Department of Fire Services

49. Review resulting enforcement & code issues
PART II
Review resulting enforcement & code issues
Department of Fire Services

50. Code and Regulatory Analysis
3 sources for the Commonwealth of MA
MA Comprehensive Fire Safety Code: 527 CMR (“Fire Code”)
MA State Building Code: 780 CMR (“Building Code”)
MGL Chapter 148 (“Fire Prevention Laws”)
Department of Fire Services

51. This presentation is based on 7th edition
Building Code
This presentation is based on 7th edition
Department of Fire Services

52. Building Size Construction Type Use Group Access Sprinkler Protection
Department of Fire Services

53. Building Size Area Height
Table 503 “Allowable Height and Building Areas” [Handout]
Department of Fire Services

54. Building Size Calc - Example
Type VA construction
R-2 Use
NFPA 13 fire sprinkler system
100% open space (40 feet wide)
4-story
Department of Fire Services

55. Building Size Calc - Example
Table 503
12,000 square feet (4 stories w/ sprinklers – Section 504.2)
Section Frontage increase
75% of Table 503
12,000 x 0.75 = 9,000 square feet
Department of Fire Services

56. Building Size Calc - Example
Section Sprinkler increase
200% of Table 503
12,000 x 2 = 24,000 square feet
Section Allowable area per floor
12, , ,000 = ,000 square feet per floor
Department of Fire Services

57. Building Size Calc - Example
Section 506.4(2) Aggregate Building Area
Allowable area per floor x 3
45,000 sq. ft. x 3 = 135,000 square feet
For consistent size floors
135,000 sq. ft. / 4 floors =
33,750 square feet per floor
Department of Fire Services

58. Construction Type
Type I (A, B) - building elements are of noncombustible materials.
Type II (A, B) – building elements are of noncombustible materials.
Type III (A, B) - exterior walls are of noncombustible materials and the interior building elements are of any material permitted
Department of Fire Services

59. Construction Type
Type IV (HT) – heavy timber, exterior walls are of noncombustible materials and the interior building elements are of solid or laminated wood without concealed spaces
Type V (A,B) - structural elements, exterior walls and interior walls are of any materials permitted
Department of Fire Services

60. Findings
Many large residential buildings are being constructed with wood frame construction (Typically Type VA)
Many building renovations done without building permits are found to have changed construction type – resulting in mixed construction
Sometimes overlooked during building renovations
Department of Fire Services

61. Use Group Designation Assembly (A-1, A-2r, A-2nc, A-3, A-4 and A-5)
Business (B)
Educational (E)
Factory/Industrial (F-1, F-2)
High Hazard (H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4, H-5)
Institutional (I-1, I-2, I-3, I-4)
Mercantile (M)
Residential (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4)
Storage (S-1, S-2)
Utility and Miscellaneous (U)
Special Use (See Chapter 4)
Department of Fire Services

62. Use Group Designation Residential R-1: transient residential
R-2: multiple-family & townhouses of 3-dwelling+
R-3: all others including ½-family detached dwellings
R-4: certain residential care facilities
Department of Fire Services

63. Use Group Designation High Hazard Use Table 307.7(1) and 307.7(2)
[Handout]
Department of Fire Services

64. Special Use Groups 402 Covered Mall Buildings 403 High-Rise Buildings
404 Atriums
405 Underground Buildings
406 Motor-vehicle-related Occupancies
407 Group I-2
408 Group I-3
409 Motion Picture Projection Rooms
410 Stages and Platforms
Department of Fire Services

65. Special Use Groups 411 Special Amusement Buildings
412 Aircraft-related Occupancies
413 Combustible Storage
414 Hazardous Materials
415 Groups H-1, H-2, H-3, H-4 and H-5
416 Application of Flammable Finishes
417 Drying Rooms
418 Organic Coatings
419 Mobile Units
Department of Fire Services

66. Special Use Groups 420 Swimming Pools 421 Group Residence
422 Day Care Centers
423 Summer Camps for Children
424 Bulk Merchandising Retail Buildings
425 Limited Group Residence
426 Detoxification Facilities
427 Group Dwelling Units
Department of Fire Services

67. Special Use Groups Garages (Handout – Section 406)
406.1 Private (Handout - ICC Interp)
406.2 Parking Garages
406.3 Open Garages
406.4 Enclosed Garages
406.5 Motor Fuel Dispensing (see 527 CMR)
406.6 Repair Garages
Department of Fire Services

68. Building Use Designation
Single Use
Separated Mixed Use
Nonseparated Mixed Use
Occupancies may have incidental or accesory use areas [handout for 780 CMR:302.2 defining accesory]
Department of Fire Services

69. Findings
Divergent interpretations of Use/Building designations for typical multiple-family residential structures – especially related to parking garages, storage areas, and community amenities.
Finding that some architects are not investigating the use of hazardous materials to determine if within the maximum limits before H Use designation
Uses being changed without obtaining building permit
Department of Fire Services

70. Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems
780 CMR typically requires sprinklers in the entire building if triggered in
Example – “ Group H. An automatic sprinkler system shall be provided throughout all buildings having a Group H occupancy.”
This is significant amendment from model code (handout 6th edition Ch. 9 commentary)
Department of Fire Services

71. Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems
Not all fire sprinkler systems the same….
Property Protection & Life Safety
– NFPA , all buildings including mixed use and residential only
Life Safety of Occupants
– NFPA 13R-2007, single use residential buildings limited to <= 4 stories & 12,000 sq. ft. (per 780 CMR amendment)
– NFPA 13D-2007, single use residential buildings limited to <=3 dwelling units (per 780 CMR amendment)
Department of Fire Services

72. Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems
NFPA 13: Concealed Spaces Requiring Sprinkler Protection – “ All concealed spaces enclosed wholly or partly by exposed combustible construction shall be protected by sprinklers…”
NFPA 13: – “…sprinklers shall be installed under exterior roofs, canopies, or porte-cocheres exceeding four feet in width”
Department of Fire Services

73. Findings
Relatively new buildings are suffering complete fire losses – resulting in significant monetary loss and community disruption.
Building occupants generally believe the building to be protected if they see fire sprinklers.
The cost of bringing community resources to suppress and deal with large building fires is many times more than the increased cost by the developer of installing an NFPA 13 system rather than NFPA 13R.
The fire service considers large light-weight construction buildings “ticking time bombs” for the fire service and occupants. Consider that there is no detection and no suppression in the interstitial spaces when using NFPA 13R, and that many residents ignore fire alarms.
Department of Fire Services

74. Findings
Advantages of a NFPA 13 compliant system for similar structures were reinforced by a fire incident at the Lodge of Eddy Pond in Auburn MA on Jan. 10, 2006
Department of Fire Services

75. Findings
Some architects/engineers are improperly specifying the use of NFPA 13R in mixed use buildings.
Department of Fire Services

76. Findings Code change made from recommendation of State Fire Marshal –
“ Group R. An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with 780 CMR shall be provided throughout all buildings with a Group R occupancy. For Use Group R Buildings with an aggregate building area of 12,000 sf or more, the sprinkler system shall be designed and installed in accordance with NFPA 13. For the purposes of 780 CMR 903.2, the aggregate building area shall be the combined area of all stories of the building and fire walls shall not be considered to create separate buildings.”
Department of Fire Services

77. Attics and Concealed Spaces
780 CMR: Exception #3 – “ In occupancies in Group R-2 that do not exceed four stories in height, the attic space shall be subdivided by draftstops into areas not exceeding 3,000 sq. feet or above every two dwelling units, whichever is smaller.”
Department of Fire Services

78. Attics and Concealed Spaces
Department of Fire Services

79. Attics and Concealed Spaces
780 CMR: – “An opening not less than 20 inches by 30 inches shall be provided to any attic area having a clear height of over 30 inches. A 30-inch minimum clear headroom in the attic space shall be provided at or above the access opening.
IBC-2003 COMMENTARY – “Openings located within the draftstop are required to be self-closing and the opening protective must provide structural fire integrity similar to the draftstop.”
Department of Fire Services

80. Attics and Concealed Spaces
780 CMR:103.1 Maintenance – “all buildings and structures and all parts thereof, both existing and new, and all systems and equipment therein which are regulated by 780 CMR shall be maintained in a safe, operable and sanitary condition. All service equipment, means of egress, devices and safeguards…when erected, altered or repaired, shall be maintained in good working order.”
Department of Fire Services

81. Findings
Inspections of existing buildings often reveal numerous open penetrations have been made in the draft stops.
Unprotected openings can range in size from small holes for wires to 2’ x 3’ access holes with no doors
Unprotected openings in draft stops are often made by tradespeople or others, after the building is complete, to make easy access to all attic areas.
Should be included as part of 106 inspections.
Department of Fire Services

82. Findings
While it is unlikely that draft stops with no openings would completely stop fire progress in the attic, it is reasonable to conclude that an uncompromised draft stop would slow fire progress.
Draft stops may not be required if the attic has sprinkler protection. See CMR Exceptions #2 & #4.
Department of Fire Services

83. Balconies
780 CMR: Exception #3 – “Balconies and similar appendages on buildings of…Type V construction shall be permitted to be of Type V construction, and shall not be required to have a fire resistance rating where sprinkler protection is extended to these areas.” [Handout]
Department of Fire Services

84. Findings
This provision for sprinklers on combustible balconies has been overlooked on several projects
The 7th edition of 780 CMR has likely indirectly addressed this by expressly requiring balcony sprinklers per 780 CMR: [NFPA 13R] and the requirements for NFPA 13 systems in many of these buildings per 780 CMR:
Department of Fire Services

85. Combustible Exterior Siding
780 CMR Ignition Resistance – “Combustible exterior wall coverings shall be tested in accordance with NFPA 268.
Exceptions:
4. Exterior wall coverings on exterior walls of Type V construction.”
Department of Fire Services

86. Combustible Exterior Siding
780 CMR: Fire Resistance Ratings – “Exterior walls shall be fire-resistance rated in accordance with Tables 601 & The fire-resistance rating of exterior walls with a fire separation distance of greater than five feet shall be rated for exposure to fire from the inside. The fire resistance rating of exterior walls with a fire separation distance of five feet or less shall be rated for exposure to fire from both sides.”
Department of Fire Services

87. Findings
The combustible siding was allowed on many of the residential fires because Type V construction was used and/or the buildings had fire separation distances of more than five feet.
The combustible siding was a direct factor in the spread/development of fire in the subject incidents.
Department of Fire Services

88. Findings
The combustible vinyl siding allows the fire to quickly extend up the side of the structure to the attic soffits.
Buildings 50 feet to several hundred feet away have sustained radiation damage and exposure fire damage created by flying embers landing in bark mulch for landscaping.
The spread of fire from the landscaping materials to the vinyl siding was generally uninhibited due to their close proximity.
Department of Fire Services

89. Findings
DFS/DPS staff will look at recommendations to the BBRS for consideration of removing ignition testing waivers for plastic siding used on Type V construction that appear in the national and state codes. (780 CMR: )
BBRS will need to consider if it is beneficial or feasible to specify minimum vertical distances between the bottom of combustible siding and combustible landscaping.
Department of Fire Services

90. Exterior Attic Soffit Construction
Findings: DFS/DPS staff will research national code modifications of other States and make recommendations to BBRS for consideration of specifying combustibility and/or fire-resistance rating limitations for attic soffit construction.
Findings: The rapid fire spread in several of the subject fires was a result of the fire burning quickly through vinyl soffit sheating and rapidly extending into the attic space.
Department of Fire Services

91. Fire Walls
705.3 Materials. Fire walls shall be of any approved noncombustible materials.
Exception: Buildings of Type V construction.
Department of Fire Services

92. Fire Walls
[handout]
705.6 Vertical Continuity. Fire walls shall extend from the foundation to a termination point at least 30 inches (762 mm) above both adjacent roofs.
Exceptions:
4. In buildings of Type III, IV and V
construction, walls shall be permitted to terminate
at the underside of combustible roof sheathing or
Department of Fire Services

93. Fire Walls 705.6 (cont’d) decks provided:
4.1. There are no openings in the roof within four feet (1220 mm) of the fire wall,
4.2. The roof is covered with a minimum Class B roof covering, and
4.3. The roof sheathing or deck is constructed of fire-retardant-treated wood for a distance of four feet (1220 mm) on both sides of the wall or the roof is protected with e inch (15.9 mm) Type X gypsum board directly beneath the underside of the roof sheathing or deck, supported by a minimum of two-inch (51 mm) nominal ledgers attached to the sides of the roof framing members for a minimum distance of four feet (1220 mm) on both sides of the fire wall.
Department of Fire Services

94. Findings
The term “fire wall” and “fire separation wall” are often confused. The two types of walls are not interchangeable.
Department of Fire Services

95. Findings
Fire resistance rating directories do not typically distinguish between “fire walls” and “fire separation walls”. It is important that the architect/engineer not only specify the required fire resistance rating of a wall assembly, but also establish if a true fire wall is required and specified per the provisions of 780 CMR.
Because of the 780 CMR fire wall continuity requirements, the same fire-resistance rated design approach would need to be continuous for the entire height of the wall.
Department of Fire Services

96. Findings
Many of the directories for fire resistance rated walls specify limitations that must be met (i.e. maximum height)
National and State building code making committees should revisit the waiver of parapets for fire walls – a feature required in early building codes to combat conflagrations from occurring.
Department of Fire Services

97. Fire Suppression Water Flows
780 CMR: Group R
“An automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with 780 CMR [NFPA 13, NFPA 13R, NFPA 13D] shall be provided throughout all buildings with a Group R occupancy.”
Department of Fire Services

98. Fire Suppression Water Flows
NFPA 13: – “The minimum water supply requirements for a sprinkler system shall be determined by adding the hose stream allowance to the water supply for the sprinklers.”
NFPA 13:Table (500gpm Extra Hazard; 250 gpm Ordinary Hazard; 100 gpm Light Hazard)
Department of Fire Services

99. Fire Suppression Water Flows
NFPA 13R:A – “Other rules from NFPA 13 such as …hose stream demand…are not intended to be referenced by [NFPA 13R:] ”
Department of Fire Services

100. Findings
As NFPA 13 addresses only the fire sprinkler system design, the standard does not require provisions for fire flows.
As such systems are meant for occupant life safety, NFPA 13R does not require consideration of fire flows in the water supply calculations.
Traditionally, the requirements for outside fire flow are within the scope of the fire code. Where developed in 527 CMR, BBRS could consider the addition of correlating notes in Chapter 9 of 780 CMR.
Department of Fire Services

101. Fire Department Apparatus Access
Traditionally, the requirements for FD apparatus access are within the scope of the fire code. BBRS could consider the addition of correlating notes in Chapter 5 of 780 CMR.
Department of Fire Services

102. Building Access for Fire Department
780 CMR:506.2 Frontage increase – “Every building shall adjoin or have access to a public way to receive an area increase for frontage. Where a building has more than 25% of perimeter on a public way or open space having a minimum width of 20 feet (6096 mm), the frontage increase shall be determined in accordance with the following:
Department of Fire Services

103. Building Access for Fire Department
If = Allowable area increase (%)
F = Open frontage (feet)
P = Perimeter length (feet)
W = Width of open frontage (feet) **>20 ft.
*Note Errata at
Department of Fire Services

104. Findings
780 CMR:Table 503 Limits the size that a building can be built by limiting the area per floor, the number of stories, and the height. The limits specified by the table can be increased in certain situations by providing open spaces around the building (“frontage increase”)
Department of Fire Services

105. Findings
Interpretation of the 780 CMR criteria for what is considered “open space” is divergent.
The building code commentary for the 2003 IBC explains that added open frontage is intended to give building trade-offs for buildings that have increased access for fire department use.
Department of Fire Services

106. Findings
The IBC 2003 commentary indicates that areas occupied as public streets and parking lots are qualified for the frontage increase.
Interpretations are divergent on the impact of steep grades, landscaping, or other similar impediments, on a space’s qualification for frontage increases.
Site layout is often decided way in advance of building permit application.
Department of Fire Services

107. Findings
DFS/DPS staff will look at recommendations to the BBRS for consideration of adding fire department input into the open space provisions that appear in the national and state codes. (780 CMR:506.2)
Department of Fire Services

108. MA Comprehensive Fire Safety Code (527 CMR)
Applies to all new & existing situations
Department of Fire Services

109. Fire Department Access
527 CMR: Buildings of Habitable Occupancy – “Each building built for residential occupancy after the approval of 527 CMR (9/1/93) shall include a suitable paved access for fire apparatus on at lease one side of the structure. In addition, a clear, unobstructed way shall be provided from such fire apparatus access point to all exits of such building.”
Department of Fire Services

110. Fire Department Access
527 CMR: 10.03(10)(a) – “The head of the fire department shall require and designate public or private fire lanes as deemed necessary for the efficient and effective use of fire apparatus. Fire lanes shall have a minimum width of 18 feet.”
Department of Fire Services

111. Findings
Even with sites that comply with the minimum requirements for fire apparatus access, direct access for additional apparatus may be lost once initial responding fire department apparatus were positioned.
DFS staff will look at recommendations to the BFPR for consideration of adopting model development planning standards.
Department of Fire Services

112. Fire Suppression Water Flows
Findings: Some FD’s were experiencing insufficient water at subject fires to apply master streams to the burning structure.
Findings: DFS staff will look at recommendations to the BFPR for consideration of adopting model development planning standards.
Department of Fire Services

113. Fire Prevention Laws MGL Chap. 148
Section 26I – “In a city…which accepts the provision of this section, any building hereafter constructed or hereafter substantially rehabilitated so as to constitute the equivalent of new construction and occupied in whole or in part for residential purposes and containing not less than four dwelling units including, but not limited to…apartments…shall be equipped with an approved system of automatic sprinklers…”
Department of Fire Services

114. Findings
Findings: Where adopted, the fire sprinkler installation needs to be installed in accordance with the standards referenced in 780 CMR and the head of the fire department enforcing this provision needs to determine an “adequate” system.
Department of Fire Services

115. PART III
Prevention tools
Department of Fire Services

116. Construction Control & Design Responsibilities
780 CMR:116 Construction Control requires involvement of registered professionals [Handout]
Professional taking design responsibility – not the role of the code official
Make sure the people are properly registered
Submitted documents should have “wet stamp” with date and signature per statute
PE must stamp every page per PE Board
MA licenses individual architects/engineers not companies
Department of Fire Services

117. Findings
Multiple-board discussions and rulings are necessary to address Construction Control (BBRS, BFPR, PE, Architect)
Project participants change responsible architect/engineer in middle of project
Design architect/engineer is never established
Installing contractors submit documents that have been reviewed by an architect/engineer that is not the responsible architect/engineer
Architects/engineers not properly registered or following license regulations
Department of Fire Services

118. Code Summary (recommended)
Explains the designer’s methodology and basis of the building arrangement and overall fire protection requirements to the code official
Department of Fire Services

119. Often done up front but not updated as changes are made in the project
Findings
Many of the summaries are “cookie cutter” and reference irrelevant codes/standards
Often done up front but not updated as changes are made in the project
Department of Fire Services

120. Chapter 34 Analysis
Applies to renovations, alterations, and additions to existing buildings that are subject to Construction Control
Determination of applicability based on the size of the overall building, not just the change.
Answers questions as to what fire safety features are required as a result of the changes.
The Fire Department, in addition to the Building Official, is charged with reviewing the Chapter 34 analysis as it relates to fire safety concerns (Chapter 9 and Chapter 4).
Department of Fire Services

121. Findings
Some code officials are inadvertently not requiring submittal of this helpful and code required analysis
Department of Fire Services

122. Community Development Proceedings
Many communities have been successful in addressing local fire department access and fire flow concerns through code official recommendations at local special permit/appeal hearings.
Department of Fire Services

123. Submit code change proposals to ICC, NFPA, etc.
Code Development
These are your codes.
Both 780 CMR and 527 CMR are changed frequently based on public comments.
Anyone can submit public comments to the Boards and attend Board meetings.
There is a Fire Prevention Fire Protection (FPFP) subcommittee of the Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS).
Submit code change proposals to ICC, NFPA, etc.
Department of Fire Services

124. Interpretation Disputes
Questions can be sent to BBRS and BFPR, as applicable, to see if the board could issue an interpretation
The Building Code Appeals Board is an avenue for parties aggrieved by a decision of the building official or, in some cases, the fire official.
Department of Fire Services

125. CONTACTS Office of the State Fire Marshal
Massachusetts Department of Fire Services
PO Box 1025
1 State Road
Stow MA 01775
(978) (fax)
Fire Department Assistance
North of Mass Pike: (978)
South/Along Mass Pike:
(978)
Fire Code Concerns: (978)
Building Code Assistance:
Department of Fire Services