On October 15, 2026, the Massachusetts Board of Fire Prevention Regulations (BFPR) voted to promulgate the next edition of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code, based on the 2024 edition of NFPA 1. Included in the new edition are provisions addressing the inspection and replacement of recalled sprinklers.
The new requirements are intended to strengthen the inspection of existing sprinkler systems and help identify recalled equipment that could affect system performance.
What Is Changing for Sprinkler Inspections?
Annual sprinkler inspections are already required in Massachusetts under NFPA 25. Under the new provisions, the sprinkler list and spare sprinklers will also need to be compared against sprinkler recalls issued by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
If recalled sprinklers are identified, the sprinkler system will be considered impaired. The local fire department must be notified of the impairment, and the recalled sprinklers must be replaced expeditiously.
Lessons Learned from the Gabriel House Fire
The new provisions were developed following the tragic July 13, 2025 fire at Gabriel House in Fall River, Massachusetts, which resulted in the deaths of 10 residents.
The code change proposal was submitted by Fall River Fire Captain Joshua Hetzler and demonstrates how lessons learned from significant fire events can lead to meaningful changes in fire protection and life safety regulations.
Code Red Consultants’ Jen Hoyt, P.E., serves as a public representative on the BFPR and voted to approve the new fire code regulations.
What to Expect Next
Although the BFPR has voted to advance the new regulations, the adoption process is not yet complete. The updated code must proceed through the remaining governmental and public hearing process before becoming effective.
Building owners and facility teams should be aware of the upcoming requirements, particularly for existing buildings with older sprinkler systems, and be prepared to address recalled sprinklers identified through future inspections.
How Code Red Consultants Can Help
As Massachusetts moves toward adoption of the new Fire Code, our team can help clients understand upcoming requirements, evaluate their impact, and develop practical solutions that balance compliance, risk, and life safety.
Code Red Consultants provides risk-informed guidance rooted in public safety, helping building owners, facility teams, and design professionals navigate evolving fire protection and life safety requirements. Our experience across code consulting, fire protection design, existing facilities, and coordination with Authorities Having Jurisdiction allows us to bring an integrated perspective to complex compliance challenges.