The 9th edition of 780 CMR, Massachusetts State Building Code, which is based on the 2015 Edition of the International Building Code (IBC) contains specific state amendments to the required construction type for hospitals, nursing homes, and convalescent homes. 780 CMR contains two separate amendments which further reiterate that hospitals, nursing homes, and convalescent homes are required to be constructed of minimally Type IB construction (2-hour rated structure) regardless of the height and area of the building. Since these provisions are more restrictive than base IBC code requirements, it is important that designers and project teams are aware of these amendments.
The following bullet points highlight these amendments:
- 780 CMR Section 407.1.1 is amended to include M.G.L. Chapter 111 Section 51 and 71, which require that all hospitals, nursing homes, and convalescent homes be constructed of at least Type IB construction:
- 407.1 Add subsection as follows:
- 407.1.1 M.G.L. requirements. Hospitals, nursing homes, and convalescent homes shall be constructed of at least Type IB construction in accordance with M. G. L. c. 111. §§ 51 and 71
- 407.1 Add subsection as follows:
- 780 CMR Section 501.1 is amended to include M.G. L. Chapter 111 Section 51, which requires that all hospitals and nursing homes (Group I-2 occupancy classifications) minimally be constructed of Type IB construction.
- 501.1 Add three notes, as follows
- Note 1: Site plans may be required to contain fire lanes in accordance with 527 CMR. Any building fire protection system is governed by 780 CMR with the exception of M.G. L. c. 148 §26 laws.
- Note 2: In 780 CMR 5.00 requirements for unsprinklered buildings may be overridden by sprinkler requirements of M.G.L. c. 148.
- Note 3: M.G.L. c. 111 §51 requires hospitals and nursing homes of at least Type IB construction.
- 501.1 Add three notes, as follows
- G.L Chapter 111 Section 51 states that no original license shall be issued to establish a hospital unless it consists of at least Type IB fireproof construction.
- No original license shall be issued to establish a hospital, except a college and school infirmary, unless it complies with the construction standards of the state building code and is of at least type I-B fireproof construction.
- G.L Chapter 111 Section 71 states that no original license shall be issued to establish a convalescent or nursing home unless it consists of at least Type IB fireproof construction.
- Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions of this section, no original license for the establishment or maintenance of a convalescent or nursing home shall be issued by the department unless the applicant for such license submits to the department a certificate that each building to be occupied by patients of such convalescent or nursing home meets the construction standards of the state building code and is of at least type I-B fireproof construction provided, however that this paragraph shall not apply in the instance of change of ownership of a convalescent or nursing home at the time of application for a license to operate a nursing home. An intermediate care facility for persons with an intellectual disability shall be required to meet the construction standards established for such facilities by Title XIX of the Social Security Act (PL89-97) and any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, and by regulations promulgated by the department
This requirement should be considered for projects where new hospitals or nursing homes are constructed, additions are made to existing buildings or a portion(s) of the building are undergoing a change in use to a higher hazard category (per the Massachusetts Existing Building Code).
If you have questions regarding how to apply these requirements to your project, please contact us at info@crcfire.com