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Insights Category: Code Updates

The 9th Edition of 780 CMR, which is an amended version of the 2015 International Building Code, is on the cusp of adoption. It’s been a long time coming and just recently the state released the official adoption date. The 9th Edition will go into effect on October 20, 2017. The final amendments to the Code will be available from the state bookstore (https://www.sec.state.ma.us/spr/sprcat/catidx.htm) on that date. It is also expected that an unofficial electronic copy of the amendments will be available on the Office of Public Safety and Inspections’ website within a few days of adoption (http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/government/oca-agencies/dpl-lp/opsi/ma-state-building-code-780-cmr.html). Once 9th Edition is promulgated, there will be a shortened concurrency period through December 31, 2017 where either the 8th or 9th Edition may be utilized. The effective date is based on when the permit package is submitted to the municipality. As of January 1, 2018, the 9th Edition will solely be adopted. Any permit packages after this date will be required to comply with the 9th Edition provisions, unless a variance is granted by the Building Code Appeals Board.

Contact us at info@crcfire.com if you’re interested in us coming into your office for a Significant Changes in the 9th Edition presentation. A focus will be given to those code changes which will be most impactful on the design, cost, and schedule of your future projects.

On Thursday, September 7th, members of the Board of Fire Prevention Regulations (BFPR) voted in favor of the adoption of a new edition of 527 CMR 1.00, Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code.

Code Basis

The newly adopted code is based on the 2015 Edition of NFPA 1, Fire Code with Massachusetts specific amendments. The amendments have been submitted for approval by the state secretary and can be found here: MA Amendments to NFPA 1

Date of Adoption

The effective date for the use of the code will be Monday, January 1, 2018. Specific hot work requirements will go into effect on July 1, 2018 and will be discussed in a future blog post.

Have questions on how this affects your design project or existing building? Contact us with questions about the implications of the code change!

The 9th Edition of 780 CMR, which is an amended version of the 2015 International Building Code, is on the cusp of adoption. Code Red Consultants attended the Board of Building Regulations & Standards (BBRS) meeting on September 12th to get the latest information. Here’s what we learned:

  • The 9th Edition is expected to be adopted on October 9, 2017.
  • There will be a shortened concurrency period until December 31, 2017 where either the 8th or the 9th Edition may be utilized. The effective date is based on when the permit package is submitted.
  • As of January 1, 2018, the 9th Edition will be solely adopted.
  • The latest amendments to the 9th Edition can be found here: http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/government/oca-agencies/dpl-lp/opsi/proposed-amendments-to-regulations-.html Note that this version is from February 2017 and therefore changes should be anticipated in final adopted version.

We understand this is big news and doesn’t give much time to prepare for the impending new code adoption. Contact us at info@crcfire.com if you’re interested in us coming into your office for a Significant Changes in the 9th Edition presentation. A focus will be given to those code changes which will be most impactful on the design, cost, and schedule of your future projects.

An often-overlooked code reference on laboratory projects in the City of Boston is to NFPA 45, Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals. Most design professionals that practice in Massachusetts on laboratory projects are aware that 527 CMR, The Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Code deletes Ch. 26, which references NFPA 45. However, the City of Boston Fire Prevention Order 86-1 requires compliance with NFPA 45 for laboratory projects within its jurisdiction.

CLICK HERE to access the Boston Fire Department Laboratory Regulation Guide

Where Does it Apply?

The City of Boston Fire Department Laboratory Regulation Guide defines a laboratory as the following:

Laboratory Definition- Laboratory shall mean a building, room, or workplace designed and/or used for the development, conduct, or observation of scientific, including but not limited to the medical chemical, physical, or biological disciplines, experimentation or research, including non-routine testing, analysis, experimentation, or other similar activities that involve the use or storage of hazardous materials as defined by Section 20.02 (c) of the City of Boston Fire Department Fire Prevention Code. Specifically excluded from this definition are classroom laboratories, dark rooms, autoclave rooms, pharmacies, drug stores, physician’s offices or the offices of other direct-care health providers, hospital or health care dispensaries, or other facilities providing medication directly to patients.

What is NFPA 45?

NFPA 45 is a standard that covers the protection of laboratory scale operations within buildings. It utilizes a methodology to compartmentalize the building in to separate fire areas with a prescribed amount of chemical hazards located within each area. It’s similar to the control area methodology required under 780 CMR, the Massachusetts State Building Code. There are notable differences including,

  • Area restrictions depending on the class of laboratory unit utilized
  • Requirement for a second means of egress from laboratories exceeding 1,000 SF
  • Quantity regulations on individual sized containers as well as a limitation on the density of chemicals per 100 SF.

How does it relate to Control Areas?

Similar to control areas, the maximum allowable quantities of chemicals per Laboratory Unit decrease depending on its level above grade and hazard classification. Laboratory Units are classified as Class A (high-hazard), Class B (moderate fire hazard), Class C (low fire hazard) and Class D (minimal fire hazard). Table 5.1.1, and 10.1.1 of NFPA 45 outlines the size, separation, height allowance, and quantity limitations requirements for Laboratory Units based on its classification. Further fire protection and life safety requirements are also dependent on the hazards present in the Laboratory Unit.

Since both the control area requirements of 780 CMR and NFPA 45 requirements (via the Boston Fire Prevention Regulations) are applicable to laboratory projects in the City of Boston, the most restrictive requirements of the two codes should govern the design.

Please feel free to contact us if you need help in applying these requirements on your project.

Status Update on the 9th Edition of 780 CMR

Today, the BBRS provided an update on the status of the 9th Edition of 780 CMR. The amendments to the 9th Edition are still under final internal legal review by the state. This legal review has taken longer than expected and therefore the planned adoption date of July 1, 2017 has come and gone. Once this legal review is completed, the code will be filed with the Secretary of State and the promulgation date will be determined. At this point, the anticipated promulgation date will be either late August or early September. This adoption will still include the planned concurrency period.

The major effect this will have on projects going forward is that the end of the concurrency period will still be continue to be January 1, 2018. This will lead to a concurrency period of approximately 4 months, as opposed to the previously determined 6-month concurrency period. Projects which are permitted prior to the promulgation date will require compliance with the 8th Edition, or a variance must be sought to utilize the 9th Edition. Project permitted during the concurrency period will have the option of complying with either the 8th Edition or the 9th Edition. Once the concurrency period has concluded, the 9th Edition must be utilized for all projects moving forward, unless a variance is sought to utilize the 8th Edition.

Code Basis

The next edition of the code will be based on the 2015 NFPA 1, Fire Code with Massachusetts Amendments. The 2015 NFPA 1 is one code edition newer than the previously adopted 2012 version of the code.

Next Steps

The code has been submitted through the formal review process via the Building Code Coordination Council (BCCC) and Executive Order 562, which was Governor Baker’s order to review each code and regulation to reduce redundancy. The adoption of the 2012 NFPA 1 on January 1, 2015 previously underwent this review, and therefore this upcoming review should not be as time consuming. After review from the BCCC, the code will be submitted to The Executive Office for Administration and Finance (A&F) and with their approval, a public hearing will be held thereafter.

Public Hearing and Comments

The code has yet to be approved for the public hearing period, however comments can be submitted to the Board of Fire Prevention Regulations (BFPR) at any time via email, in writing, or in person. A sample code change form can be found on the BFPR website at http://www.mass.gov/eopss/docs/dfs/osfm/cmr/publicproposalform.pdf

Date of Adoption

The adoption date is still up in the air but the intent is for the code to be promulgated before the end of the year.

Have questions on the preliminary amendments to the code and how they may affect your facility? Contact us with questions about the implications of the code change!

The 9th Edition of the State Building Code was recently approved by the state and its adoption is right around the corner, expected in July 2017. In March, the Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) held two public hearings to allow testimony by interested parties on the code or any proposed amendments. Once the public comment period closes on April 10th, the BBRS will convene to review any remaining public comments and to make final revisions to the code prior to promulgation. When the final contents are approved, the 9th Edition is expected to have an effective date on or around July 1, 2017. A concurrency period, where the code user may choose to design under the 8th or 9th editions of the Code (no mixing of provisions allowed), will be in effect immediately and will last 6 months ending on or around January 1, 2018. After this time, projects will be required to be designed and constructed under the 9th Edition unless a state variance is granted. The applicable code edition for a particular project is based on the date that the building permit is applied for.

The new 9th Edition will be a modified version of the 2015 I-Codes including the 2015 International Building Code (IBC), 2015 International Existing Building Code (IEBC) and the 2015 International Mechanical Code (IMC). There are a number of noteworthy, impactful changes within the 2015 IBC including fire service access elevators and open egress stairs:

1. Fire Service Access Elevators – Under the 8th Edition, all high-rise buildings (roofs ≥ 70’ above grade) are required to be served by a one fire service access elevator (FSAE). A FSAE lobby must be accessed directly from the elevator and stair. Under the 9th Edition, the FSAE will now only be required in buildings with occupied floors > 120’ above fire department vehicle access. Additionally, at least 2 FSAEs, or all elevators (whichever is less), must be provided. The stair located adjacent to the FSAE lobby must also be accessed from a 2nd means other than the lobby (i.e. a corridor or the balance of the floor).

2. Use of Exit Access Stairway for Egress – The 8th Edition limited the use of open stairways as means of egress elements only when connecting no more than 2 adjacent stories with no interconnection to other floors. Stairs that connect more than 2 stories are now permitted to be used for egress under the 9th Edition including (1) stairs protected by draft curtains/closely spaced sprinklers, and (2) stairs located within atriums. These options will be beneficial for architects designing larger occupant load assembly buildings such as college campus centers where the balance between interconnectivity and egress was always a challenge.

Want to learn more about these code changes and how they will impact your futures projects? Contact us at info@crcfire.com to schedule a customized presentation for your team.

Effective Sunday, January 1, 2017, the Cambridge Fire Department will begin formally enforcing requirements associated with NFPA 241, Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition Operations. A completed Fire Prevention Program Manager (FPPM) Identification Form will be required to accompany all CFD permit applications in 2017. Furthermore, a unique, in-depth Construction Fire Safety Plan will also be required to accompany each building permit application for both new construction and renovations. Free access to the NFPA codes and standards can be found here: http://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards.

What does this mean for you? If you plan to submit plans to the Cambridge Fire Department after January 1st then you must identify a designated FPPM specific to that project. When the project includes the stamp of a Registered Design Professional (RDP), which includes but is not limited to: modification or installation of fire protection or fire alarm systems, ground-up construction, major demolition, etc., then you must also supplement your permit submission with a Construction Fire Safety Plan that depicts your proposed fire protection and life safety mitigation throughout the life of your project.

More information can be found on the Cambridge Fire Department’s website: http://www.cambridgema.gov/cfd

The Massachusetts Board of Fire Prevention Regulations recently adopted a new electrical code.

Code Basis

The newly amended Massachusetts Electrical Code is based on the 2017 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70) with Massachusetts specific amendments.

Date of Adoption

The new code went into effect on January 1, 2017.

Amendments

The amendments to the Massachusetts Electrical Code can be found on the Massachusetts Board of Fire Prevention Regulations page under the Fire Code (527 CMR) link. The link below can also be followed to access the amendments.

http://www.mass.gov/eopss/docs/dfs/osfm/cmr/2017.pdf

The base code of NFPA 70 (2017) can also be viewed for free here: http://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards?mode=cod…

Compliance with Executive Order 562

Back in March of 2015, Governor Baker issued the Executive Order which required all state regulations to be reviewed to ensure they were mandated by law or essential to the health, safety, environment, or welfare of the citizens of the Commonwealth. The Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters were in the midst of regulatory changes when this Order took place, and therefore had to review 248 CMR prior to their adoption.

Public Hearing and Promulgation

The Executive Order review process was commenced in August of 2015, and after the approval process, new amendments were released for public hearing in July of 2016. The public hearing was held on October 5, 2016 during which public comment was accepted by the Board. The Board finalized these changes during the October 28th meeting and the new amendments were promulgated on January 27, 2017.

Code Changes of Note

The following code changes were reviewed and have been deemed to be of potential significance to ongoing design projects:

  • Increased allowances for single user toilet rooms in Restaurants and Commercial/Business areas
  • Architectural features to limit the requirement of interceptors, separators, or holding tanks at overhead doors
  • Use of Gender Neutral toilet fixtures in lieu of separate male/female toilet fixtures

Single User Toilet Room Allowances

The Board increased the allowances for single user toilet rooms as follows:

  • Restaurants previously required separate male and female toilet fixtures when the square footage of the space was greater than 1,200 sf or the combined occupants served (employees and patrons) was 20 or more individuals. The limit has now been increased to 2,000 sf and a maximum of 20 individuals.
  • Business and commercial buildings previously required separate male and female toilet fixtures when the square footage of the space was greater than 1,2000 sf. The limit has now been increased to 2,000 sf and a maximum of 20 individuals.

Eliminating the Use of Interceptors, Separators, or Holding Tanks

The board previously required a variance to omit the requirement for floor drains connected to interceptors, separators, or holding tanks where overhead doors were provided in a commercial building but were not intended to be used by motor vehicles. This variance typically required bollards (or similar architectural features) which prevented motor vehicles to enter the space. 248 CMR 10.09 now permits the use of architectural features such as bollards to omit the requirement without the need to file a variance.

Gender Neutral Bathroom Allowance

Gender Neutral Bathrooms are now permitted to be utilized in lieu of separate male/female toilet fixtures in certain instances. In order to be utilized as a Gender Neutral, or unisex bathroom, the bathroom is required to be a single user bathroom, and either (1) all of the required toilet fixtures serving the space are required to be placed in single user, gender neutral bathrooms, or (2) an equal number of the required fixtures for each gender are placed in single user bathrooms. For example, if four male and four female toilets and sinks were required, if a single female toilet and sink were placed in a gender neutral bathroom, a single male toilet and sink would also be required to be placed in a gender neutral bathroom. For the purpose of determining the required number of fixtures, each of the single user bathrooms would be counted towards a gender. Signage designating the bathrooms as Gender Neutral, or as Unisex (depending on the owner’s preference) is permitted.

Refer the following link for a full list of the amendments as well as Frequently Asked Questions: http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/licensee/dpl-boards/pl/