Public Meeting Notice  BBRS Fire Prevention and Fire Protection Advisory Committee Meeting - 6.10.26

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In accordance with the provisions of G.L. c. 30A § 20, notice is hereby given that the Board of Building Regulations and Standards 11^th Edition Fire Prevention and Fire Protection Subcommittee will be convening a meeting. 

If you need reasonable accommodation to participate in the meeting, please reach out to Cheryl Yebba at 617- 701-8711. The Agency will make best efforts to accommodate requests received in a timely manner.

In accordance with the provisions of G.L. c. 30A § 20, the Board of Building Regulations and Standards Fire Prevention Fire Protection Committee convened a regular monthly meeting on: 

Microsoft Teams Meeting June 10^th, 2026 

The topics shown below were discussed at the aforementioned meeting: 9:34 AM Chair Dave LeBlanc called the open meeting to order. 

Informational note: All votes were taken by roll call. Where each member voted in favor, the vote will be reported as unanimous.

Board Members Present

• Dave LeBlanc, Fire Protection Engineer
• Matt Bourque, Developer
• Carissa Lisee, DOL Appointee
• Luke McKneally, BBRS Member
• Steven Nocco, Municipal Building Official
• Jake Nunnemacher, BBRS Member
• Michael Yanovitch, Building Contractor
• Eric Svahn, Architect (joined at 10:40 AM)

Board Members Absent

• Tom Farland, Municipal Fire Official

DOL Staff Present

• Tammy Gropman, Executive Director
• Charles Kilb, Senior Board Counsel

1.  Reviewed, Discussed, and Voted Meeting Minutes 
2. May 27^th, 2026 – It was noted that the meeting minutes were not provided in time for meeting. 
3. Reviewed and Discussed Code Change Tracker Form
4. The committee briefly reviewed the updated code change tracker. Members discussed formatting issues with the document. 
5. Reviewed, Discussed, and Voted Assigned Code Sections with Tracked Changes
6. Chapter 9 IBC Section 904 – Chair LeBlanc discussed submitting assigned code sections at least one week before meetings, so members have time to review proposed changes in advance. Legal Counsel provided guidance regarding Open Meeting Law requiring roll-call votes for official actions. Chair LeBlanc explained that straw polls would continue to be used during discussion, followed by a single roll-call vote on an entire code section.
7. Jake Nunnmacher motioned to approve Chapter 9 IBC Section 904, seconded by Carissa Lisee. The chair opened the matter for discussion and indicated he would call for a vote once the full section has been discussed. 
8. Members continued review of Section 904 relating to alternative automatic fire-extinguishing systems. Discussion focused on 780 CMR 904.2.2, where members considered replacing references to the International Fire Code with signpost references more appropriate for Massachusetts where matters were already governed by the Fire Code. Members discussed the relationship between the building code, 527 CMR 1.00, and the International Mechanical Code, particularly for commercial kitchen hood and duct systems, and emphasized the importance of providing sufficient direction to building officials while recognizing that the determination for when a commercial hood system is required originates elsewhere in the applicable codes.
9. Members also reviewed amendments to 780 CMR 904.3.1, 904.11.3, 904.13, and 904.16, discussing the continued use of signposts in place of prescriptive requirements. Discussion included whether inspection, testing, and maintenance language should remain within each individual section or instead be addressed more generally through Chapter 1 or the Massachusetts Fire Code. Members noted that several existing Massachusetts amendments duplicated requirements already contained in referenced NFPA standards and generally favored removing redundant language while retaining references directing users to the appropriate codes and standards, including NFPA 15 and NFPA 2010.
10. Members discussed potential impacts on Chapter 1 inspection provisions resulting from relocating maintenance requirements and acknowledged that additional coordination with the BBRS may be necessary to ensure consistency throughout the code. 
11. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously. 
12. Chapter 9 IBC Section 905 – Michael Yanovitch motioned to approve Chapter 9 IBC Section 905, seconded by Matt Bourque. 
13. Members continued review of Section 905 relating to standpipe systems. Initial discussion focused on replacing International Fire Code references with Massachusetts signposts throughout the section, including provisions applicable to heliports, helistops, marinas, and boatyards. Members identified an overlooked reference within 780 CMR 905.3.6 concerning marinas and agreed that it should likewise be revised to direct users to the appropriate provisions of 527 CMR 1.00.
14. Extensive discussion centered on 780 CMR 905.4, specifically the location of roof standpipe hose connections where roof access is provided by an alternating tread device, ship's ladder, or permanent ladder permitted under IBC Section 1011.12. Members raised concerns that the current language could result in roof access points being located a significant distance from the standpipe outlet, creating operational challenges for fire department personnel during roof firefighting operations. Several alternatives were discussed, including requiring the hose connection to be located at or near the roof access point or allowing the final location to be approved by the local fire department. Members generally agreed that additional language was needed to address this circumstance while maintaining consistency with existing code provisions.
15. Members also discussed 780 CMR 905.11 regarding locking caps on standpipe outlets. Discussion focused on whether operational approval by the fire official should remain within the building code or instead be addressed through a signpost to the Massachusetts Fire Code. Members expressed differing views regarding the appropriate authority having jurisdiction for operational provisions but ultimately agreed that the requirement should be simplified by directing users to the applicable fire code provisions. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously. 
16. Chapter 9 IBC Section 909 – Jake Nunnemacher motioned to accept Section 909, seconded by Luke McKneally. 
17. Members continued review of Section 909 relating to smoke control systems. Discussion included provisions governing third-party review of smoke control rational analysis and performance-based smoke control designs, with members agreeing that independent review remains appropriate due to the complexity of smoke control modeling. Members also discussed formatting revisions intended to simplify the Massachusetts amendments while preserving the substantive requirements.
18. Members reviewed several additional amendments throughout Section 909, including revisions to 780 CMR 909.6.3, 909.12.1, 909.15, 909.16, 909.18, 909.19, 909.20, 909.21, 909.22 primarily replacing International Fire Code references with Massachusetts signposts and clarifying reporting, testing, and acceptance requirements. Members also discussed the purpose of intake duct detectors associated with stair pressurization systems, referencing previous fire incidents that demonstrated the importance of preventing smoke from being introduced into exit stairways through smoke control systems.
19. Significant discussion focused on 780 CMR 909.22 concerning maintenance of smoke control systems. Members debated whether maintenance provisions should remain within the building code or be removed in favor of signposts directing users to 527 CMR 1.00 Chapter 11, NFPA 92, and manufacturers' instructions. Several members raised concerns regarding the division of enforcement responsibilities between building officials and fire officials and whether retaining maintenance language within the building code could create overlapping jurisdiction.
20. Other members expressed concern that eliminating the language entirely could reduce awareness of important maintenance obligations. Following discussion, the committee agreed to substantially simplify the section while retaining a signpost directing users to the applicable maintenance requirements. 
21. A roll call vote was held, Michael Yanovitch opposed, none abstained, all other members voted yes. Motion passed with majority. 
22. Chapter 9 IBC Section 917 
23. Members reviewed Section 917 relating to mass notification systems. Members noted that while the 2024 International Building Code includes updated language, no Massachusetts amendments were necessary. Luke McKneally motioned to approve Chapter 9 IBC Section 917 unamended, seconded by Steven Nocoo. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motioned passed unanimously. 
24. Reviewed and Discussed Homework Assignments
    1. Members agreed that annotated markups should be circulated at least a week in advance so everyone has time to review before the meeting. The chair summarized the outstanding assignments by section, noted that 916 still needs to be finalized, and said the sprinkler section would be deferred to a later meeting. The group also discussed 916.11, where Steve’s proposed wording was circulated separately and the section was still unresolved at the end of the meeting.
25. Reviewed Future Meeting Dates
26. The committee reviewed the calendar and confirmed the June 24 and July 8 meetings, discussed a possible conflict with July 22, and then worked through several August options. Because of conflicts, the group moved the August 12 meeting to Friday, August 7, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. There was also discussion about possibly adding another July meeting, but members preferred to keep the week-ahead review process intact and focus on getting the homework sections done first.
27. Discussed Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated 48 Hours in Advance of the Meeting
28. No matters were discussed.
29. Adjournment – The next meeting is on June 10^th, 2026, at 9:30 AM.
30. Jake Nunnemacher motioned to adjourn, seconded by Michael Yanovitch. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously. 
31. Meeting adjourned at 12:24 PM.

Items Relied Upon During Open Meeting

• Agenda
• Meeting Minutes
• 2024 IBC

It is anticipated that the topics shown below will be discussed at the aforementioned meeting: 

1. Review/Discuss/ Vote Minutes of the following meeting: 
   1. May 27, 2026
2. Review/Discuss Code change tracker form
3. Review/Discuss/Vote Assigned code sections with track changes
   1. Chapter 9 IBC 2024
4. Review/Discuss Homework assignments
5. Review Future Meeting Dates
6. Discuss matters not reasonably anticipated by the chair, 48 hours in advance of the meeting

Adjournment – the next scheduled meeting is June 24, 2026