By Lawrence Berman, Berman Adjusters

The Massachusetts Board of Fire Prevention Regulations

Most people in the real estate industry are not aware of this State Board. However, the regulations which it proposes and enforces has a direct bearing on all buildings located within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The board held its first meeting in January 1946 and as such, Massachusetts was the first state to create a uniform fire code.

In 1994, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts embarked upon a reorganization of the Office of Public Safety. As a result of that action, the Department of Fire Services was created in July 1996. The Fire Services Commission now has the responsibility of selecting a state fire marshal as opposed to the prior system of appointment by the governor. Stephen D Coan is presently the State Fire Marshal and prior to being appointed to that position, had been the director of the Fire Training Academy, which is a nationally recognized facility located in Stow, Mass.

The Board of Fire Prevention Regulations, pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 22D Section 4, is a state regulatory board charged with promulgating the Massachusetts Fire Prevention Regulations, 527 CMR 1-50 (also known as the Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code). The purpose of this code is to prescribe the minimum requirements and controls to safeguard life, property and public welfare from the hazards of fire and explosion created by the storage, handling or use of substances, materials or devices or from other conditions hazardous to life, property and the public welfare.

The Board of Fire Prevention Regulations is comprised of 14 members in total with these members being appointed by the governor for a term of six years. The state fire marshal is a member who serves in an ex officio position. Along with the state fire marshal, the board is made up of three fire chiefs (chief of department) which must come from the Fire Chiefs Association of Massachusetts, a member of the Massachusetts Fire Prevention Association, four registered professional engineers, a representative of the public, a graduate chemist, an inspector of wires, a representative of the blasting industry and a licensed electrical contractor.

This board meets the first Thursday of every month in a meeting which is open to the public. The public has an opportunity to address the board to present any comments or proposed amendments to regulations at two statutory public hearings which are held each year. The board also holds public hearings at other times throughout the year, as deemed necessary in order to amend or repeal any regulations.

If you have any questions regarding the board and/or any fire prevention regulations, please contact Maura Ware, legal counsel and executive secretary to the board, Department of Fire Services, P.O. Box 1025, State Rd., Stow, MA 01775. Any persons interested in requesting formal interpretations of the board or to have proposed amendments that they would like the board to consider, should address their concerns in a letter to chairman of the board, V. Carlisle Smith, at the above address. Hopefully, this information will be helpful to people in the real estate industry.

< Previous Article >