[ First paragraph effective until April 13, 2009. For text effective April 13, 2009, see below.]
Section 26G. In any city or town which accepts the provisions of this section, every building of more than seventy-five hundred gross square feet in floor area or every addition of more than seventy-five hundred gross square feet in floor area shall be protected throughout with an adequate system of automatic sprinklers in accordance with the provisions of the state building code; provided, however, that in the case of said addition, such an adequate system of automatic sprinklers shall be installed in said addition only. No such sprinkler system shall be required unless sufficient water and water pressure exists. For purposes of this section, the gross square feet of a building or addition shall include the sum total of the floor areas for all floor levels, basements and sub-basements, measured from outside walls, irrespective of the existence of interior fire resistive walls, floors and ceilings. This section shall not apply to buildings used for agricultural purposes as defined in section one A of chapter one hundred and twenty-eight.
[ First paragraph as amended by 2008, 508, Sec. 1 effective April 13, 2009 applicable as provided by 2008, 508, Sec. 6. For text effective until April 13, 2009, see above.]
Every building or structure, including any additions or major alterations thereto, which totals, in the aggregate, more than 7,500 gross square feet in floor area shall be protected throughout with an adequate system of automatic sprinklers in accordance with the provisions of the state building code. No such sprinkler system shall be required unless sufficient water and water pressure exists. For purposes of this section, the gross square footage of a building or structure shall include the sum total of the combined floor areas for all floor levels, basements, sub-basements and additions, in the aggregate, measured from the outside walls, irrespective of the existence of interior fire resistive walls, floors and ceilings. This section shall not apply to buildings used for agricultural purposes as defined in section 1A of chapter 128.
[ Second paragraph effective until April 13, 2009. For text effective April 13, 2009, see below.]
In such buildings or additions, or in certain areas of such buildings or additions, where the discharge of water would be an actual danger in the event of fire, the head of the fire department shall permit the installation of such other fire suppressant systems as are prescribed by the state building code in lieu of automatic sprinklers. Automatic suppressant or sprinkler systems shall not be required in rooms or areas of a telephone central office equipment building when such rooms or areas are protected with an automatic fire alarm system. Sprinkler systems shall not be required in a one story building having a fire resistance rating as prescribed in the state building code that is used solely for offices provided the building is protected by an automatic fire alarm system. Sprinkler systems shall not be required in open-air parking structures, defined as: buildings, structures, or portions thereof, used for parking motor vehicles and having not less than twenty-five per cent of the total wall area open to atmosphere at each level, utilizing at least two sides of the structure. This section shall not apply to buildings or additions used for residential purposes.
[ Second paragraph as amended by 2008, 508, Secs. 2 and 3 effective April 13, 2009 applicable as provided by 2008, 508, Sec. 6. For text effective until April 13, 2009, see above.]
In such buildings or structures, or in certain areas of such buildings or structures, where the discharge of water would be an actual danger in the event of fire, the head of the fire department shall permit the installation of such other fire suppressant systems as are prescribed by the state building code in lieu of automatic sprinklers. Automatic suppressant or sprinkler systems shall not be required in rooms or areas of a telephone central office equipment building when such rooms or areas are protected with an automatic fire alarm system. Sprinkler systems shall not be required in open-air parking structures, defined as: buildings, structures, or portions thereof, used for parking motor vehicles and having not less than twenty-five per cent of the total wall area open to atmosphere at each level, utilizing at least two sides of the structure. This section shall not apply to buildings or additions used for residential purposes.
The head of the fire department shall enforce the provisions of this section.
[ Fourth paragraph effective until April 13, 2009. For text effective April 13, 2009, see below.]
Whoever is aggrieved by the head of the fire department's interpretation, order, requirement, direction or failure to act under the provisions of this section, may, within forty-five days after the service of notice thereof, appeal from such interpretation, order, requirement, direction or failure to act to the automatic sprinkler appeals board as provided in section two hundred and one of chapter six.
[ Fourth paragraph as amended by 2008, 508, Sec. 4 effective April 13, 2009 applicable as provided by 2008, 508, Sec. 6. For text effective until April 13, 2009, see above.]
Whoever is aggrieved by the head of the fire department's interpretation, order, requirement, direction or failure to act under the provisions of this section, may, within forty-five days after the service of notice thereof, appeal from such interpretation, order, requirement, direction or failure to act to the automatic sprinkler appeals board as provided in section two hundred and one of chapter six. The board may grant a reasonable waiver from the provisions of this section, or may allow the installation of a reasonable alternative or modified system of automatic sprinklers upon reviewing the characteristics of buildings that have architectural or historical significance.