reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 19 - Bonds for Blasting Permits; Filing Fee

Section 19. Before the issue of a permit to use an explosive in the blasting of rock or any other substance as prescribed by the department, the applicant for the permit shall file with the clerk of the city or town where the blasting is to be done a bond running to the city or town, with sureties approved by the treasurer thereof, for such penal sum, not exceeding ten thousand dollars, as the marshal or the officer granting the permit shall determine to be necessary in order to cover the risk of damage that might ensue from the blasting or its keeping therefor; provided, that the marshal or the officer granting the permit may determine that a single and blanket bond in a penal sum not exceeding fifteen thousand dollars is sufficient to cover the risk of damage from all blasting operations of the applicant, either under the permit so issued or under future permits to use explosives in blasting operations. The bond shall be conditioned upon the payment of any loss, damage or injury resulting to persons or property by reason of such blasting or keeping. Such applicant shall pay to said clerk at the time of filing of the said bond the fee provided by clause (15) of section thirty-four of chapter two hundred and sixty-two.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 20 - Actions on Bonds; Employee of Permittee; Pro Rata Payment of Claims

Section 20. Action on a bond filed under the preceding section may be brought by any person to whom loss, damage or injury has resulted by reason of such blasting or keeping, and shall be brought in the name of, and for the use and at the cost and expense of, such person; but in no event shall action be brought on the bond for personal injury of an employee of the person receiving the permit. If claims on any bond are established to an amount greater than the penal sum thereof, such claims shall be paid pro rata to the amount of the penal sum, and executions shall issue accordingly.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 20a - Bond for Blasting Operations in More Than One Place

Section 20A. If the applicant for a permit to use an explosive in the blasting of rock or any other substance desires to conduct blasting operations in more than one city or town in the commonwealth he may, instead of filing a bond with the clerk of each city or town in which such operations are to be conducted, file a bond with the state treasurer in the penal sum of twenty thousand dollars, running to the commonwealth, with sureties approved by the state treasurer, and for such additional penal sum as the marshal shall determine to be necessary to cover the losses, damages or injuries that might ensue to persons or property by reason thereof. The provisions of sections nineteen and twenty shall apply to said bond and actions thereon so far as applicable.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 20b - Certificate of Competency to Conduct Blasting Operations; Application; Fee; Examination; Issuance; Duration; Expiration; Renewal; Duplicate; Restrictions Regarding Persons Subject to Restraining Order Issued Pursuant to Chapter 209a

Section 20B. No person shall conduct blasting operations unless he holds a certificate of competency issued by the department. Any person desiring to obtain a certificate of competency to conduct blasting operations shall make application to the department. A fee, the amount of which shall be determined annually by the commissioner of administration under the provision of section three B of chapter seven for the filing thereof, shall accompany each application, half of which shall be for the examination and half of which shall be for the certificate if issued. The application shall be in such form and contain such information as the state fire marshal may require. Within three months after the date of receipt of his application, the applicant shall be examined as to his experience and ability to conduct blasting operations, and if found by the examiner to be qualified, he shall forthwith be issued a certificate of competency. Said certificate shall be valid throughout the commonwealth until the date of birth of the licensee occurring more than twelve months but not more than twenty-four months after the effective date of such license and may be renewed after its expiration without examination upon the payment of a fee, as determined pursuant to the aforementioned chapter seven. If any such license or the renewal thereof expires in an even year, any subsequent renewal shall expire on the next anniversary of the licensee's date of birth occurring in an even year. If any such license or renewal thereof expires in an odd year, any subsequent renewal shall expire on the next anniversary of the licensee's date of birth occurring in an odd year. A license issued to a person born on February twenty-ninth shall, for the purposes of this section, expire on March first. Licenses not renewed at the expiration date shall become void, and shall after one year be reinstated only by reexamination of the licensee. A notice of the date of expiration of a license shall, at least thirty days prior to such date, be sent to the licensee. If the applicant fails to qualify, five dollars of the fee paid with his application shall be refunded to him. A holder of a certificate of competency to conduct blasting operations whose certificate is lost, misplaced or stolen may obtain a duplicate certificate from the state fire marshal upon the payment of a fee as determined under the aforementioned provision.
The marshal shall not issue or renew a certificate of competency and shall suspend a certificate of competency of any person who is the subject of a restraining order issued pursuant to chapter 209A while that order is in effect.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 21 - Enforcement of Laws and Regulations Relative to Blasting

Section 21. The superior court shall have jurisdiction in equity, upon the petition of the commonwealth or of a city or town, to enforce the laws of the commonwealth and the regulations of the board relative to the blasting of rock, stone or other substance with any explosive.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 22 - Injuries From Explosives Kept or Transported Contrary to Statutes or Regulations

Section 22. Whoever suffers injury by the explosion of an explosive which is being kept or transported contrary to the provisions of this chapter or of the regulations of the board may recover damages therefor in tort against the persons who so violate said provisions or regulations.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 23 - Keeping and Use of Inflammable Fluids; Permit; Fee

Section 23. Except as otherwise provided by rules and regulations of the board of fire prevention regulations, no volatile inflammable fluid except an amount not exceeding one quart contained in an approved safety can and no non-volatile inflammable fluid except an amount not exceeding ten gallons for domestic use shall be kept, used or stored in any part of any building used for habitation, and no volatile inflammable fluid in quantity exceeding one gallon contained in an approved safety can, and no non-volatile inflammable fluid in quantity exceeding thirty gallons, shall be kept, used or stored, except in the tank of an automobile, motor boat or stationary engine, within fifty feet of any building used for habitation, unless a permit has first been obtained therefor from the head of the fire department under such terms and conditions as he may prescribe. A fee of not more than fifty cents may be charged for any permit granted under the authority of this section.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 24 - Keeping and Handling of Fire Menace Material; Carpenter or Paint Shop in Habitation

Section 24. No part of any building used for habitation nor that part of any lot within fifty feet of any building so used shall, except as permitted by section twenty-three, be used for the storage, keeping or handling of any article or material that is or may become dangerous to the public safety as a fire menace, and no part of any such building shall be used as a carpenter shop or paint shop, nor for the storage, keeping or handling of excelsior, shavings, sawdust, cotton, paper stock, feathers or rags, except under such terms and conditions as the head of the fire department may prescribe in writing.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 25 - Use of Salamanders or Stoves for Drying Materials

Section 25. No salamander or stove for drying any construction material shall be used in any building except under such conditions as may be prescribed by the board; and no such salamander or stove shall be set upon a wooden floor unless it is raised above the floor at least four inches and set upon brick or other incombustible material in a bed of sand at least two inches thick, spread upon the floor and covering an area of at least two feet in all directions larger than the area of the salamander or stove.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 25a - Second Hand Space Heaters; Unvented Space Heaters

Section 25A. No person shall sell, offer for sale or install a secondhand space heater, or a secondhand portable stove which uses kerosene, range oil or number 1 fuel oil for fuel. No person shall install or use in a building which is used in whole or in part for human habitation an unvented space heater which uses oil as a fuel. No person shall sell or offer for sale, or install, use or maintain in a building which is used in whole or in part for human habitation, an unvented space heater using natural or propane gas fuel unless the appliance meets the standards for use and installation as promulgated by regulations of the board of fire prevention regulations. Whoever violates this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than $100.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 25b - Unvented Liquid Fired Space Heaters; Use or Sale Prohibited

Section 25B. No person shall use, allow to be used, sell or offer for sale any unvented liquid fired space heater. As used in this section, ''space heater'' includes portable space heater, parlor heater, cabinet heater, room heater and any similar heater having a barometric fed fuel control and its fuel supply tank located less than forty-two inches from the center of the burner and means the type of heating appliance adapted for burning kerosene, range oil or number one fuel oil and used principally for the heating of the space in and adjacent to that in which such appliance is located. Whoever violates any provision of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 25c - Sale of Decorating Candles; Rules and Regulations

Section 25C. The board shall make rules and regulations relating to the sale of decorating candles which are designed to reignite after they are apparently extinguished, which rules may specifically prohibit the sale of any such candles which it deems to be a fire hazard.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 25d - Manufacture and Sale of Children's Clothing and Sleepwear; Rules and Regulations

Section 25D. The board shall make rules and regulations relating to the manufacture and sale of sleepwear and clothing for children up to and including size fourteen, which rules and regulations may specifically prohibit the sale or manufacture of any such clothing or sleepwear which it deems to be a fire hazard.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 25e - Residential Gas Appliances; Sale or Installation

Section 25E. As used in this section, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:—
''Gas appliance'', any furnace, air conditioner, heater, refrigerator, stove, range, dishwasher, clothes dryer, clothes washer, or other such device, which uses a gaseous fuel other than propane for the operation thereof, and which is manufactured after June first, nineteen hundred and eighty-eight and is automatically ignited by a means other than an intermittent ignition device, but not including a water heater which heats water for domestic use, a kitchen heating range or a space heater.
''Automatic gas appliance'', any furnace, air conditioner, heater, refrigerator, stove, range, dishwasher, clothes dryer, clothes washer, or other such device, which uses a gaseous fuel other than propane for the operation thereof, and which is manufactured after the effective date of this section, and is automatically ignited by an intermittent ignition device, but not including a water heater which heats water for domestic use, a kitchen heating range or a space heater.
''Residence'', any building or structure in this state used principally for dwelling purposes, including, but not limited to single and multiple family dwellings or residences of any nature, including apartments, apartment buildings, apartment projects, condominiums and manufactured homes, but not including hotels or motels.
''Intermittent ignition device'', a device which ignites an automatic gas appliance to begin normal operation thereof, and which is activated only at the time such automatic gas appliance is to be so ignited.
It shall be unlawful to:—
(a) Sell or offer for sale by advertisement or otherwise or display for sale of gas appliances for use in, or in connection with, a residence.
(b) Install or cause to be installed a gas appliance in a residence.
(c) Import into the commonwealth a gas appliance for use in, or in connection with, a residence.
(d) Deliver in the commonwealth after sale or pursuant to a contract for a sale of a gas appliance for use in, or in connection with, a residence.
(e) Sell or display for sale an automatic gas appliance, for use in, or in connection with a residence, unless such automatic gas appliance is labeled in a manner visible to the purchaser or prospective purchaser with the words ''intermittent ignition''.
Any violation of the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars for each such violation; provided, however, that each day of a continuing violation shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 26 - Installation of Automatic Equipment on Order of Marshal

Section 26. Any basement of a mercantile establishment, any building used in whole or in part for the business of woodworking, or for the business of manufacturing or working upon wooden, basket, rattan or cane goods or articles, or tow, shavings, excelsior, oakum, rope, twine, string, thread, bagging, paper, paper stock, cardboard, rags, cotton or linen, or cotton or linen garments or goods, or rubber, feathers, paint, grease, soap, oil, varnish, petroleum, gasoline, kerosene, benzine, naphtha or other inflammable fluids or compounds, and any building used in whole or in part for the business of keeping or storing any such goods or articles except in such small quantities as are usual for domestic use or for use in connection with and as incident to some business other than such keeping or storing, shall, upon the order of the marshal, be equipped with automatic sprinklers; provided, that no such order shall apply to any building unless four or more persons live or are usually employed therein above the second floor.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 26a - Automatic Sprinklers in High Rise Buildings; Enforcement; Appeals

Section 26A. Every building or structure of more than seventy feet in height above the mean grade shall be protected with an adequate system of automatic sprinklers in accordance with the provisions of the state building code, except that sprinklers shall not be required to be installed in patient rooms in hospitals.
The head of the fire department shall enforce the provisions of this section.
Whoever is aggrieved by the head of the fire department's interpretation, order, requirement, direction or failure to act under the provisions of this section, may, within forty-five days after the service of notice thereof, appeal from such interpretation, order, requirement, direction, or failure to act, to the board of appeals as provided in the state building code and section twenty-three of chapter twenty-three B.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 26b - Automatic Fire Warning and Smoke Detection Systems in Certain Buildings; Enforcement; Appeals

Section 26B. Every building or structure not exceeding seventy feet in height above the mean grade erected or substantially altered to be occupied for residential purposes shall be protected with an approved automatic fire warning system in accordance with the provisions of the state building code. Such system shall include the features of automatic smoke detection in conjunction with the approved fire detection devices.
The head of the fire department as defined in section one shall enforce the provisions of this section.
Whoever is aggrieved by the head of the fire department's interpretation, order, requirement, direction or failure to act under the provisions of this section, may, within forty-five days after the service of notice thereof, appeal from such interpretation, order, requirement, direction, or failure to act, to the board of appeals as provided in the state building code and section twenty-three of chapter twenty-three B.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 26c - Certain Public Accommodations; Automatic Smoke or Heat Detectors

Section 26C. Apartment houses containing six or more dwelling units, hotels, boarding or lodging houses, or family hotels which are not regulated by section twenty-six A or twenty-six B shall be equipped with automatic smoke or heat detectors as provided by the rules and regulations of the board of fire prevention regulations.
The head of the fire department as defined in section one shall enforce the provisions of this section.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 26d - Definitions Applicable to Secs. 26d to 26f

Section 26D. As used in this section and sections twenty-six E and twenty-six F the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:—
''Approved monitored battery power smoke detector'', shall be a smoke detector which is activated by a battery power source provided that the battery is monitored to assure that the following conditions are met:
(a) a distinctive audible trouble signal is given before the battery is incapable of operating the device for alarm purposes, and that such audible trouble signal is produced at least once every minute for seven consecutive days, and
(b) the unit is capable of producing an alarm signal for at least four continuous minutes at the battery voltage at which a trouble signal is normally obtained followed by seven days of trouble signal operation, and
(c) the monitored batteries meeting these specifications are clearly identified on the unit near the battery compartment.
''Approved primary power smoke detector'', shall be a smoke detector which is activated by being permanently wired to a source of alternating current electric power or connected to a source of alternating current electric power by an underwriter's laboratory approved cord with a strain relief and plug retainer; provided, that:
(a) all power supplies shall be sufficient to operate the alarm signal for at least four continuous minutes, and
(b) all such detector systems shall be installed in accordance with the Massachusetts Electrical Code.
''Common hallway'', a common corridor or space separately enclosed which provides common access to the required exitways of the residential building or structure.
''Separate sleeping area'', shall mean the area or areas of the dwelling unit in which the bedrooms, or sleeping rooms, are located. Bedrooms, or sleeping rooms, separated by other use areas such as kitchens or living rooms, but not bathrooms, shall be considered as separate sleeping areas.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 26e - Residential Buildings or Structures; Installation of Smoke Detectors

Section 26E. (a) All one and two family dwellings occupied in whole or in part for residential purposes and not regulated by section twenty-six A or twenty-six B shall be equipped with approved smoke detectors. Owners of such buildings or structures shall install either an approved monitored battery powered smoke detector or an approved primary power smoke detector on each level of habitation and on the basement level; provided, however, that the head of the fire department shall allow the installation of approved monitored battery powered smoke detectors. Such approved smoke detectors shall be installed in the following manner; an approved smoke detector shall be installed on the ceiling of each stairway leading to the floor above, near the base of, but not within each stairway and an approved smoke detector shall be installed outside each separate sleeping area.
(b) Buildings or structures occupied in whole or in part for residential purposes and containing not less than three nor more than five units and not regulated by section twenty-six A, twenty-six B or twenty-six C shall be equipped with approved smoke detectors. Owners of such buildings or structures shall install either an approved monitored battery powered smoke detector or an approved primary power smoke detector outside each separate sleeping area; provided, however, that the head of the fire department shall allow the installation of approved monitored battery powered smoke detectors; and provided, further, that in all common hallways and basements of said residential buildings or structures a series of interconnected approved primary power smoke detectors shall be installed.
(c) For the purposes of this section, approved primary power shall mean an alternating current primary source of electric power furnished by an electric power or light company municipally operated or operating under the authority of the department of telecommunications and energy which is the primary source of electricity or is a secondary source but is permanently wired thereto and will become operational upon the failure of the primary source of power.
(d) The head of the fire department shall enforce the provisions of this section. The provisions of section thirty shall not apply to this section.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 26f - Residential Buildings or Structures; Equipping With Smoke Detectors Upon Sale or Transfer

Section 26F. All buildings or structures occupied in whole or in part for residential purposes and not regulated by sections twenty-six A, twenty-six B or twenty-six C shall, upon the sale or transfer of such building or structure, be equipped by the seller with approved smoke detectors as provided in section twenty-six E.
The head of the fire department shall enforce the provisions of this section. The provisions of section thirty shall not apply to this section.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 26f1/2 - Carbon Monoxide Alarms Required in Certain Residential Structures; Regulation; Inspections; Enforcement

Section 26F1/2. (a) Every dwelling, building or structure, including those owned or operated by the commonwealth, occupied in whole or in part for residential purposes, that: (1) contains fossil-fuel burning equipment including, but not limited to, a furnace, boiler, water heater, fireplace or any other apparatus, appliance or device that burns fossil fuel; or (2) incorporates enclosed parking within its structure shall be equipped by the owner with working, approved carbon monoxide alarms in conformance with the requirements of the board of fire prevention regulations; provided, however, that such requirements shall include, but not be limited to, a requirement that a landlord or superintendent shall install either approved monitored battery-powered alarms or approved electrical wiring alarms as defined by the board, as are required to make the alarms operational at the beginning of any rental period by lease or otherwise and shall maintain and, if necessary, replace batteries or such battery-operated or electric hardwired carbon monoxide alarms annually thereafter to insure their continued operability.
(b) The board of fire prevention regulations shall promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to effectuate this section including, but not limited to, the type, installation, location, maintenance and inspectional requirements of carbon monoxide alarms.
(c) Every dwelling, building or structure, occupied in whole or in part for residential purposes, shall, upon sale or transfer of such dwelling, building or structure, be inspected by the head of the fire department for compliance with the requirements of this section.
(d) The state building code may impose stricter carbon monoxide alarm requirements for new construction or dwellings, buildings, or structures substantally renovated so as to constitute the equivalent of new construction. Every such dwelling building or structure, occupied in whole or in part for residential purposes, shall, upon sale or transfer of such dwelling, building or structure, be inspected by the head of the fire department for compliance with the carbon monoxide alarm requirements of the state building code in effect on the date of the issuance of the relevant building permit.
(e) The head of the fire department shall enforce this section.
(f) The department of public health shall promulgate such rules and regulations as may be necessary to effectuate subsection (a) into the state sanitary code as established under section 127A of chapter 111.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 26g - Automatic Sprinkler Systems Required for Buildings and Structures Totaling More Than 7,500 Gross Square Feet

Section 26G. Every building or structure, including any additions or major alterations thereto, which totals, in the aggregate, more than 7,500 gross square feet in floor area shall be protected throughout with an adequate system of automatic sprinklers in accordance with the provisions of the state building code. No such sprinkler system shall be required unless sufficient water and water pressure exists. For purposes of this section, the gross square footage of a building or structure shall include the sum total of the combined floor areas for all floor levels, basements, sub-basements and additions, in the aggregate, measured from the outside walls, irrespective of the existence of interior fire resistive walls, floors and ceilings. This section shall not apply to buildings used for agricultural purposes as defined in section 1A of chapter 128.
In such buildings or structures, or in certain areas of such buildings or structures, where the discharge of water would be an actual danger in the event of fire, the head of the fire department shall permit the installation of such other fire suppressant systems as are prescribed by the state building code in lieu of automatic sprinklers. Automatic suppressant or sprinkler systems shall not be required in rooms or areas of a telephone central office equipment building when such rooms or areas are protected with an automatic fire alarm system. Sprinkler systems shall not be required in open-air parking structures, defined as: buildings, structures, or portions thereof, used for parking motor vehicles and having not less than twenty-five per cent of the total wall area open to atmosphere at each level, utilizing at least two sides of the structure. This section shall not apply to buildings or additions used for residential purposes.
The head of the fire department shall enforce the provisions of this section.
Whoever is aggrieved by the head of the fire department's interpretation, order, requirement, direction or failure to act under the provisions of this section, may, within forty-five days after the service of notice thereof, appeal from such interpretation, order, requirement, direction or failure to act to the automatic sprinkler appeals board as provided in section two hundred and one of chapter six. The board may grant a reasonable waiver from the provisions of this section, or may allow the installation of a reasonable alternative or modified system of automatic sprinklers upon reviewing the characteristics of buildings that have architectural or historical significance.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 26h - Lodging or Boarding Houses; Automatic Sprinkler Systems

Section 26H. In any city or town which accepts the provisions of this section, every lodging house or boarding house shall be protected throughout with an adequate system of automatic sprinklers in accordance with the provisions of the state building code. No such sprinkler system shall be required unless sufficient water and water pressure exists. In such buildings or in certain areas of such buildings, where the discharge of water would be an actual danger in the event of a fire, the head of the fire department shall permit the installation of such other fire suppressant systems as are prescribed by the state building code in lieu of automatic sprinklers. The head of the fire department shall enforce the provisions of this section.
For the purposes of this section ''lodging house'' or ''boarding house'' shall mean a house where lodgings are let to six or more persons not within the second degree of kindred to the person conducting it, but shall not include fraternity houses or dormitories, rest homes or group residences licensed or regulated by agencies of the commonwealth.
Any lodging or boarding house subject to the provisions of this section shall be equipped with automatic sprinklers within five years after acceptance of this act by a city or town.
Whoever is aggrieved by the head of the fire department's interpretation, order, requirement or direction under the provisions of this section, may within forty-five days after the service of notice thereof, appeal from such interpretation, order or requirement to the board of appeals of the fire safety commission as provided in section two hundred and one of chapter six.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 26i - Multiple Dwelling Units; New Construction; Automatic Sprinkler Systems

Section 26I. In a city, town or district which accepts the provisions of this section, any building hereafter constructed or hereafter substantially rehabilitated so as to constitute the equivalent of new construction and occupied in whole or in part for residential purposes and containing not less than four dwelling units including, but not limited to, lodging houses, boarding houses, fraternity houses, dormitories, apartments, townhouses, condominiums, hotels, motels and group residences, shall be equipped with an approved system of automatic sprinklers in accordance with the provisions of the state building code. In the event that adequate water supply is not available, the head of the fire department shall permit the installation of such other fire suppressant systems as are prescribed by the state building code in lieu of automatic sprinklers. Owners of buildings with approved and properly maintained installations may be eligible for a rate reduction on fire insurance.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 27a - Shutting Off, Disconnection, Obstruction, Removal or Destruction, of Fire Protection Devices; Permit; Report; Violation of Statute; Enforcement

Section 27A. Except as hereinafter provided, no person shall shut off, disconnect, obstruct, remove or destroy, or cause or permit to be shut off, disconnected, obstructed, removed or destroyed, any part of any sprinkler system, water main, hydrant or other device used for fire protection or carbon monoxide detection and alarm in any building owned, leased or occupied by such person or under his control or supervision, without first procuring a written permit so to do from the head of the fire department of the city or town wherein such building is situated, which permit such head is hereby authorized to issue subject to such terms and conditions as, in his judgment, protection against fire and the preservation of the public safety may require. This section shall not prevent the temporary shutting off or disconnection or partial removal of such a system, main, hydrant or other device for the purpose of making necessary repairs or preventing freezing or other property damage; provided, however, that the head of the fire department is notified immediately of such emergency action. The head of the fire department shall also be notified when the system, main, hydrant or other device is placed back in service. Violation of this section shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than one year or by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars, or both. The supreme judicial and superior courts shall have jurisdiction in equity to enforce compliance with the provisions of this section.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 27b - Piling Snow on Fire Hydrants; Penalty

Section 27B. No person other than an employee in the service of the commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof or in the service of an independent contractor acting for the commonwealth or any such subdivision shall pile, push or plow snow or ice on or against any fire hydrant or other similar device used for fire protection which is located in any public or private way so as to conceal such hydrant or device or cover any outlet thereof. Whoever violates this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 28 - Regulations to Prevent Fire Hazards and Fires

Section 28. The board shall make such rules and regulations, and the head of the fire department shall make such orders or rules not inconsistent therewith, as may be necessary to promulgate a comprehensive fire safety code for the following purposes:
(1) to prevent or remedy any condition in or about any building, structure or other premises or any ship or vessel which may tend to become a fire hazard or to cause a fire.
(2) to provide adequate safety requirements for the protection of the public in the event of a fire in or about any building, structure or other premises or any ship or vessel, including the regulation of fire drills for theaters, schools, hospitals and elderly housing complexes.
(3) to provide for the safe storage, use, handling and manufacturing of corrosive liquids, oxidizing materials, toxic materials or poisonous gases.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 28a - Reports of Violations of Building Laws

Section 28A. The head of the fire department or any person designated by him who, in the performance of his official duties, observes any condition which he believes to be a violation of any provision of the state building code or any amendments thereto, shall report the same to the authority charged with the enforcement of such provision.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 28b - Buildings With Canine Guards; Reports

Section 28B. The board shall by rule require, and the head of the fire department shall make such orders or rules not inconsistent therewith, that any person having control of a mercantile, commercial or industrial establishment wherein canine guards are maintained shall notify the head of the fire department of the district, city or town within which such establishment is located of the name, address and telephone number of the person who supplies or controls such canines.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 29 - Application of Orders to Occupant or Owner; Payment for Cost of Changes in Premises; Maximum Expenditure

Section 29. If buildings or other premises are owned by one person and occupied by another under lease or otherwise, the orders of the marshal or head of the fire department shall apply to the occupant alone, except where the rules or orders require the making of additions to or changes in the premises themselves, such as would immediately become real estate and be the property of the owner of the premises. In such cases the rules or orders shall affect the owner and not the occupant; and unless it is otherwise agreed between the owner and the occupant, the occupant whose use of the premises has caused the making of such additions or changes, in addition to his rent or other payments, shall, after the additions or changes are made, pay a reasonable per cent of the cost thereof annually to the owner of the premises. No rule or order shall be made or enforced which requires an expenditure by the owner or occupant of more than five per cent of the last annual assessed valuation of the land and buildings to which such rule or order relates. The provisions of this section shall not apply to any rule or order adopted or issued pursuant to sections thirty–eight B through thirty–eight I.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 30 - Violations; Notice and Enforcement of Orders or Regulations

Section 30. Violation of any lawful rule, order or regulation of the board or of any lawful order of the marshal or lawful rule or order of the head of a fire department, punishment whereof is not otherwise provided for, shall be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars for each day during which such violation continues after actual notice of the regulation, rule or order. Such notice may be given by personal service or by posting the same in a conspicuous place on the premises affected thereby. The superior court shall have jurisdiction in equity to enforce any lawful rule, order or regulation of the board, or any lawful order of the marshal or rule or order of the head of a fire department, upon application respectively of the marshal or the head of the fire department.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 30a - Unlawful Tampering, Etc. With Notice of Violation; Punishment

Section 30A. Whoever unlawfully tampers with, changes, mutilates, destroys, or otherwise removes, from a building or structure, any notice of violation affixed under the provisions of section thirty, shall be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars or by imprisonment in jail for not more than one month, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 31 - Appeals to Marshal

Section 31. Any person aggrieved by any act, rule, order or decision of the head of a fire department, or other person or persons acting or purporting to act under authority derived from this chapter, except section five, or any rule or regulation thereunder, may appeal to the marshal, who shall make all necessary and proper orders thereon, but only in so far as the appeal presents a direct question of fire or explosion hazard. Such appeal shall be filed with the marshal not later than ten days following the act, rule, order or decision appealed from.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 32 - Sharing Information by Insurers; Liability of Insurer or Arson Squad; Confidential Information

Section 32. The marshal or police or fire department or other appropriate law enforcement agency may request an insurance company to share information relative to an investigation concerning a loss due to fire of suspicious or incendiary origin, and to furnish other relevant materials, such as insurance policies, policy premium records, and history of previous claims. The marshal or any of the aforementioned departments or agencies shall, upon request, share the information so acquired with the marshal, department, or agency, as appropriate, requesting the same.
If an insurance company has reason to suspect that a fire loss to its insured's real or personal property was caused by incendiary means, the company shall furnish the marshal or any of the aforementioned departments or agencies with all relevant material acquired during its investigation of the fire loss, cooperate with the marshal or any of the aforementioned departments or agencies, and take such action as the marshal or any of the aforementioned departments or agencies may reasonably request. Any other person may, by obtaining a court order, inspect records of such insurance company pertaining to the policy and the loss. Such insurance company may request access to information gathered by the marshal or any of the aforementioned departments or agencies in an investigation into such fire loss of suspected incendiary origin.
In the absence of fraud, malice or criminal act, no insurance company, or person who furnished information on its behalf, or any duly licensed insurance agent or broker, or any employee of such agent or broker, through whom the policy was issued nor any member of the local municipal arson squad of the fire or police department shall be liable for damages in a civil action or subject to criminal prosecution for any conduct reasonably undertaken pursuant to the provisions of this section.
A public official receiving information furnished pursuant to this section shall hold such information in confidence until such time as its disclosure is required in a criminal or civil proceeding, or, if such information is subject to sections thirty–eight B through thirty–eight I, until such information becomes a public record in accordance with section thirty–eight I. Any public official or employee of an insurance company may be required to testify to any information in his possession regarding the fire loss of real or personal property in any civil action in which any person seeks recovery under a policy against an insurance company for the fire loss. Every insurance company adjusting a fire loss of one thousand dollars or more shall forward forthwith to the marshal a written statement of the amount of such adjustment on building and contents.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 33 - Duties and Powers of Marshal

Section 33. The marshal shall study fire hazard and fire prevention and all matters relating thereto, hear suggestions and complaints from all persons and from all cities and towns, advise with the officers of such cities and towns and make suggestions to the general court and to the cities and towns looking to the improvement of the laws, ordinances and by-laws relating to fire departments, construction of buildings, building or fire limits, use and occupation of buildings and other premises, protection of existing buildings, fire escapes and other life-saving devices, segregation and licensing of trades dangerous by reason of fire hazard, and all other matters relating to fire prevention and fire hazard.
The marshal may order the head of a fire department to assist, in his jurisdiction and may order the director of the division of fire safety to assist, in carrying out the provisions of this chapter.
2023 Massachusetts General Laws › Part I - Administration of the Government › Title XX - Public Safety and Good Order › Chapter 148 - Fire Prevention › Section 34 - Violation of Statutes

Section 34. Except as otherwise provided, any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be liable to a fine of one hundred dollars, or, in case of a continuing offence after notice of such violation, to a fine of not more than one hundred dollars for every day during which the violation continues.