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9th Edition MSBC - Public Hearing

Public hearings have been scheduled for the 9th Edition 780 CMR - Massachusetts State Building Code (MSBC).

At this time, it is likely that the new edition of the code will go into effect in June or July of 2017. Additionally, it is likely that projects submitting permit after the new edition goes into effect, but before January of 2018 will have the choice of complying with either the 8th or 9th Edition of the code.

For those looking to take your CSL under the new code: you may be excited to hear that BBRS intends to have the ICC publish a complete MSBC, with the base code and Mass amendments in a single document.

Updates to the MA Electrical Code

The new edition of the Massachusetts Electrical Code (527 CMR 1.00 §12) is effective! All installations for which a permit has been granted subsequent to December 31, 2016 are subject to the new regulations, which adopt and amend the 2017 National Electrical Code (NFPA-70).

The unofficial amendments are available at the following location: http://www.mass.gov/eopss/docs/dfs/osfm/cmr/5270121483561469590.pdf

NFPA 241 Plans required in Cambridge

Effective January 1, 2017, the Fire Prevention Program Manager Affidavit must be submitted for ALL projects undergoing Cambridge Fire Department review. The building owner is responsible for designating a site wide Fire Prevention Program Manager (FPPM). The affidavit can be downloaded from the following location: http://www.cambridgema.gov/cfd/permits/~/media/E20CDD415E7D42FFBE71CC1DBF08B6A0.ashx

In addition to said affidavit, all projects that are under the control of Registered Design Professionals will require the submission of a complete NFPA 241 plan detailing the safeguarding measures to be put in place during construction.

Contact us for more information on NFPA 241 plan requirements or preparation.

Boston Fire Department Hot Work Safety Certificate

The Boston Fire Department has recently released their Hot Work Safety Certificate program; certification through this program will be required in order to obtain all Hot Work Permits; effective January 1, 2017.

Registration for this 1-day program is available through NFPA: http://catalog.nfpa.org/Hot-Work-Safety-Certificate-Program-P16766.aspx

Firestopping Special inspections

With the 9th Edition MSBC will come many changes. One of the changes that will impact the commissioning process the most is the requirement for firestopping special inspections in high-rise buildings (as well as certain other buildings). In accordance with DRAFT 9th Edition MSBC §1705.17: fire-resistant penetrations and joints must be inspected by an approved firestopping special inspector.

The new special inspection requirements will drive more extensive documentation from the design team (with respect to firestopping systems); and will require either on-site witnessing of firestopping installations or destructive testing of installed firestopping systems. The cost and schedule impacts of these requirements should be considered in any projects looking to permit under the 9th Edition MSBC.

Cosentini is ready to help your project move forward as smoothly as possible. As a registered Fire Protection Engineer and International Firestop Council certified firestopping inspector, Maxwell French, PE can handle all of your firestopping inspection needs.

In addition to base code consulting services, Cosentini Associates’ Boston code group offers Smoke Control Special Inspection, Firestopping Special Inspection, Phased Occupancy planning and Construction Safety (NFPA 241) planning services throughout New England.

Boston Upholstered Furniture Regulations

The Boston Fire Department Chemist has updated the Boston Fire Prevention Code requirements for upholstered furniture installation in the city; the changes more closely match the requirements of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code (527 CMR 1.00).

Effective July 8th, 2016: furniture in fully sprinklered buildings is now requires that all layers of the furniture be tested to Cal TB117-2013. Note that the test report must specifically certify the product (with all material layers included) to the 2013 edition of TB117.

An Application For Installation of Upholstered Furniture must still be submitted and approved by the BFD Chemist: https://www.boston.gov/sites/default/files/upholstered_or_molded_seating_installation.pdf

In non-sprinklered buildings, the furniture must still be tested to Cal TB133.

City of Boston websites on the move!

The City of Boston is moving to a new web format and location; if you are having trouble finding the Boston Fire Prevention Code or accessing the BFD or ISD Permit Portals try the new links below:

Boston Fire Prevention: https://www.boston.gov/departments/fire-prevention

Inspectional Services: https://www.boston.gov/departments/inspectional-services

#boston fire department #boston inspectional services department #boston fire prevention

MSBC - New location

The online Massachusetts State Building Code (MSBC) amendments have moved to: http://www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/dps/ma-state-building-code-780-cmr.html

The new webpage contains all previous editions of the MSBC as well as the base 8th Edition MSBC amendments and subsequent amendments.

MA Energy Code Amendments Effective August 12!

Amendments to the 8th Edition MSBC Energy Provisions have been published with an effective date of August 12, 2016. A concurrency period will be provided through January 2, 2017.

More information at the following link: http://www.mass.gov/eopss/consumer-prot-and-bus-lic/license-type/buildings/amendments-to-780-cmr-effective-august-12-2016.html

#MSBC BBRS StretchEnergyCode

Catch us at SFPE Denver

Check out Cosentini Codes Up and Over! The Fire Engineering Challenges of Pulling Buildable Lots out of Thin Air at the SFPE North American C&E on Engineering For Peak Performance in Denver (September 26-27, 2016).

Boston based consultants Don Havener, PE and Max French, PE will walk through efforts to assess the fire performance and life safety of both cantilevered buildings and complete build-overs; from egress complications to structural fire modeling considering a full building burn.

Online access to IBC and other ICC Codes

If you are accustomed to accessing your building codes online, you should know that the ICC has changed the way in which they provide access to these codes. The old “Public E-Codes” hosted by Cyberregs are no longer freely available. The ICC Codes can be accessed for free at the following links:

Access to 2009 through 2015 ICC Codes: http://codes.iccsafe.org/I-Codes.html

Direct access to the 2009 IBC: http://codes.iccsafe.org/app/book/toc/2009/I-Codes/2009%20IBC%20HTML/index.html

Direct access to the 2015 IBC: http://codes.iccsafe.org/app/book/toc/2015/I-Codes/2015%20IBC%20HTML/index.html

Access to ICC standards such as ICC/ANSI A117.1: http://codes.iccsafe.org/ICC%20Standards.html

#building codes #international building code

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