Massachusetts Fire Safety Commission / Automatic Sprinkler Appeals Board

Massachusetts Fire Safety Commission
Automatic Sprinkler Appeals Board

Board Members - May 13, 2009

The Fire Safety Commission is statutorily charged with promulgating all rules and regulations for the implementation of a statewide plan for the installation of automatic sprinklers in all buildings and structures of more than seventy feet in height. The Fire Safety Commission is composed of nine members. Contact the Commission at (978) 567-3181.

The Automatic Sprinkler Appeals Board (ASAB) of the Commission, a five member hearing board, conducts hearings for persons seeking relief from orders or requirement of the head of the fire department, issued pursuant to M.G.L. c. 148 sections 26A ½, 26G, 26G ½, and 26H. For ASAB hearings, the presence of the appellant, and the head of the fire department or designee/agent is strongly recommended. To request an appeal application, or for further information, please call the ASAB Administrative Assistant at (978) 567-3181.

Filing ASAB Appeals: All appeals must be filed within 45 days (calendar days) after receiving service of notice of the head of the fire department’s determination. All appeals require the submission of the formal application form (8 copies), a copy of the head of the fire department’s written determination, a written explanation of relief request, and a $100.00 file fee.

For additional information about hearings before the Board, please see the following two memorandums issued by the board:

Memorandum - August 8, 2003 

Memorandum - August 23, 2005 

Special Alert:

The Sprinkler Appeals Board hears appeals of determinations issued by heads of fire departments relating to the new sprinkler requirements relating to nightclubs, dance halls, discotheques, bars and similar entertainment facilities in existing buildings (M.G.L. c. 148, s.26G1/2). To assist persons who are seeking information about this new law the Board has provided the following information:

ASAB Jan. 10, 2005 Advisory 

ASAB Appeal Application & Instructions 

Changes to MGL C148 s 26G Sprinkler Law Take Effect Jan 1, 2010.

• The Automatic Sprinkler Appeals Board has issued guidance on recent amendments to M.G.L. c. 148, s. 26G (Chapter 508 of the Acts of 2008) which requires enhanced sprinkler protection in certain buildings which total more than 7,500 gross square feet in floor area. These changes to the law take effect January 1, 2010.
  • ASAB Official Approved 26G Guidance  

Recent Significant ASAB Decisions Relating to New Sprinkler Law:

ASAB CASE #05-23: 91 Manville Street, Leicester (M.G.L. c.148,s.26G1/2) :   The Board determined that a facility used for "organized private dining events" was not subject to the retrofit sprinkler requirements of M.G.L. c. 148, s.26G1/2. The Board established 7 specific characteristics that should be present for such buildings to be exempt from the enhanced sprinkler requirements of the new law. The Board also noted that statute allows for "temporary use" of certain buildings as a nightclub, dance hall, discotheque or bar or similar entertainment purpose without the need for sprinklers if a permit is issued by the head of the fire department in consultation with the building inspector who may set the terms and conditions to protect against fire and preserve public safety.

ASAB # 05-18, 63 Webster Street, Fall River (M.G.L. c.148, 26G1/2):   This case presented an establishment that featured characteristics of both a restaurant (which is specifically exempt from the law) and a bar. The Board established a two-part analysis of the building's characteristics to determine if such "combination" establishments, or portions thereof, are subject to the new sprinkler requirements of M.G.L. c. 148, s.26G1/2.

Additional Copies of Automatic Sprinkler Appeals Board decisions relating to sprinkler requirements of MGL c.148, s.26G1/2 for nightclubs, dancehalls, discotheques, bars and similar uses

05-03, 1422 Elm Street, W Springfield   05-05, 63 Park Ave, W Springfield   05-06, 68 Field Street, Brockton   05-07, 25 Mill Street, Springfield   05-13, 463-465 Breckwood Blvd, Springfield  05-14, 1055 Auburn Street, Whitman  05-18, 63 Webster Street, Fall River  05-19, 826 Plymouth Ave., Fall River  05-20, 72 West Street, Foxborough  05-21, 64 Common Street, Barre  05-22, 67 Scott Road, Fitchburg   05-23, 91 Manville Street, Leicester  05-30, 226 East Main Street, Fall River  05-35, 439 Martine Street, Fall River   05-36, 455 Oak Street Brockton   05-40, 3 Hadley Street, South Hadley   05-41, 33 Progress Avenue, Springfield  05-43, 1315 Main Street, Acushnet   005-44, 164-166 Main Street, Acushnet   05-51, 425 Broadway, Saugus   05-54, 13 Cross Street, East Bridgewater   05-64, Gillespie Road, Charlton   05-66, 85 Sampson Road, Charlton  05-71, 176 Garden Street, Agawam   05-74, 56 Creeper Hill Road, Grafton  05-75, 65 Glendale Street, Easthampton  05-86, 5 Fitzpatrick Way, Hull   05-95, 46 Clinton Street, Chelsea  05-103, 242 Spencer Avenue, Chelsea  05-109, 35 Fourth Street, Chelsea   05-145, 50 Pleasant Street, Norton  05-148, 70 Beacon Street, Somerville  05-177, 474 Moody Street, Waltham  06-15, 203 Carriage Shop Road, Falmouth  06-29, 141 Cabot Street, Beverly   06-31, 25 Hayward Street, Hopkinton  06-42, 194 Front Street, Scituate  06-47, 95 Lumber Street, Hopkinton  06-64, 43 Church Street, Salem  06-67, 292 Green Street, Clinton  06-82, 114 Mystic Ave, Medford  06-98, 565 Boylston Street, Boston  06-100, 321 Winthrop Street, Medford  06-104, 19 Washington Street, Medford  06-112, 88 Sleeper Street Boston, MA  06-129, 130 Brighton Ave, Boston  06-130, 138 Brighton Ave, Boston  06-134, 13 Victory Street, Adams  06-135, 486 Concord Street, Framingham  06-137, 77R Rocky Neck Avenue, Gloucester  06-141, 896 Hartford Tpk, Shrewsbury  06-152, 562 Broadway, Malden   06-166, 58 Lowell Street, Peabody  06-180, 45 Belmont Street, Northborough  06-188, One Eighth Street,, Pier 6, Charlestown  06-181, 35 Solomon Pond Rd, Northborough  06-194, 19 Weed Street, Marborough  07-05, 3-5 Church Street, Greenfield  07-11, 125 Windkist Farm Rd, North Andover  08-02, 16 South Main Street, Millbury

Globe Dry Fire Sprinkler Recall
On August 1, 2007, State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan issued an administrative order to Fire Chiefs regarding the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commision and Globe Fire Sprinkler recall of Globe Model J Series Dry Fire Sprinklers.