June BBRS Meeting Minutes Highlights

Listed below are line item highlights from the June BBRS meeting

• MGL 148 26 G and its relationship to BOA and whether the law is being consistently enforced throughout the Commonwealth.
• Fire Marshal voiced concern since BBRS has no legal enforcement.  BBRS legal staff stated within rights to ask for review since its enforcement requires a building a permit to achieve compliance with the law.  Letter sent to fire sprinkler board for feedback on its enforcement.

• July’s BBRS meeting canceled and August possibly canceled too.  No meetings scheduled until replacements are hired.
• Chief Anderson discussed early retirement impact on BBRS.  Several members of DPS staff choose states early retirement package.
• Once/twice a month BBRS sends out e-memo updates.  Get your email address to Kim S to be included in distribution list.  DPS Website will have all e-memos posted (after staff is filled)
• Window industry rep tells how glass reflects/absorbs sunlight in reference to the Whitman MA case last year where adjacent building caught on fire from reflected sunlight.  Members asked questions on window manufacturing, installation, etc.  Industry will let BBRS know of any changes to window regs so no action needed now for proposed 9th edition.
• 9th edition amendments.
  1. State Fire Marshal rep spoke that MA amendments from the 5th to 8th edition of SBC should be carried forward as they have in the past.
  2. Fire area like 5th to 8th edition for aggregate area and not IBC fire area.
  3. Larger buildings with limited fire protection under current propose code.
  4. NFPA 13 rollback of bigger buildings with less sprinklers (not fully sprinkled).
  5. New Proposal could have buildings with no sprinklers.  Current code addresses these concerns.
  6. Lodging house maintain guest (current code) and not rooms (as the newly proposed code) since rooms can have multiple people in them.
  7. SFM rep reads DFS recommendation changes submitted.
  8. Vote to move forward BBRS staffs comments without incorporating all DFS comments.
  9. Still public hearing to discuss other DFS comments.
  10. Voted to move proposed 9th edition forward to public hearing.
  11. Discussion on other sections of proposed 9th edition.  Positive vote to move forward all proposals to public hearing.
• Former Chairman Brian Gale was recognized for his service to BBRS and was awarded a letter of recognition from BBRS.
• Richard Crowley was appointed Chairman and Tom Perry (BO from Barnstable) was appointed vice-chairman.