Statutes, codes, and regulations
Code of Massachusetts Regulations
Department 780 CMR - STATE BOARD OF BUILDING REGULATIONS AND STANDARDSChapter CHAPTER 1 - SCOPE AND ADMINISTRATIONPart PART 1 - SCOPE AND APPLICATION
Section SECTION 101 - GENERAL
Subsection 101.4 - Referenced Codes and Standards

780 CMR, ch. 1, pt. 1, 101, 101.4

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Current through Register 1538, January 3, 2025
Subsection 101.4 - Referenced Codes and Standards

Referenced Codes and Standards include the specialized codes of M.G.L. c. 143, § 96 and other codes and regulations listed in sections 101.4.1 through 101.4.16, 780 CMR 35.00: Referenced Standards, and 780 CMR 51.00: Massachusetts Residential Code, and shall be considered part of 780 CMR to the prescribed extent of each such reference.

Work regulated by the specialized codes of M.G.L. c. 143, § 96 shall be designed, installed, and inspected by individuals authorized to do so in accordance with the specialized codes. However, the impact of work regulated by the specialized codes of M.G.L. c. 143, § 96 and other codes and regulations on work governed by 780 CMR and within the jurisdiction of the building official, shall be subject to inspection by the building official.

101.4.1Gas and Fossil Fuel Burning Appliances. Reference to the International Fuel Gas Code shall be considered reference to 248 CMR: Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters. Gas fired appliances are governed by 248 CMR. Oil fired appliances are governed by 527 CMR 1.00: Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code.
101.4.2Mechanical. The installation of mechanical systems shall generally be governed by the International Mechanical Code - 2021 ("IMC"). The scope of this adoption shall be governed by Sections 101 and 102 of the IMC, no other aspect of Chapter 1 of the IMC is adopted. However, this adoption shall not be deemed to apply to work governed by the Specialized Codes pursuant to M.G.L. c. 143, § 96, including but not necessarily limited to sheet metal work as defined in M.G.L. c. 112, § 237. Notwithstanding this adoption, where a conflict exists between the IMC and any other provision of 780 CMR (including any other referenced standards or codes adopted therein), compliance with 780 CMR shall be required.
101.4.3Plumbing and Gas. Reference to the International Plumbing Code or International Fuel Gas Code shall be considered reference to 248 CMR: Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters.
101.4.4Property Maintenance. The International Property Maintenance Code is not adopted. Reference to the International Property Maintenance Code shall be considered reference to 780 CMR and within the jurisdiction of the building official.
101.4.5Fire Prevention and Protection. Certain areas of this code are intended to ensure buildings and structures are protected from fire and other dangerous conditions. Where applicable, 527 CMR 1.00: Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code may govern such matters. Nothing in this section is intended to alter or expand the current respective jurisdiction of the building official or the fire official. The building official shall enforce 780 CMR and the fire official shall enforce 527 CMR 1.00. In this regard, 780 CMR and its adopted standards may reference specific sections of the 2021 International Fire Code ("IFC"), except that retroactive requirements of the IFC are not adopted. Where a specific section of the IFC is referenced, that section shall not apply if it would overlap or conflict with a specific provision of 527 CMR 1.00. Where possible, 780 CMR shall provide a specific reference to applicable portions of 527 CMR 1.00. However, citations to specific provisions of 527 CMR 1.00 are provided solely as an advisory to assist users of these codes, as said provisions are not governed by 780 CMR and are subject to their own independent enforcement and appellate provisions. Readers should note that 527 CMR 1.00 may be changed after the effective date of this code, thus any references are subject to change The following statutes are generally enforced by the head of the fire department, whose decisions would be appealed through the automatic sprinkler appeals board:
1. M.G.L. c. 148, § 26A1/2: certain high-rise buildings constructed prior to 1/1/1975;
2. M.G.L. c. 148, § 26G: certain non-residential structures that exceed 7,500 square feet;
3. M.G.L. c. 148, § 26G1/2: bars, nightclubs, dance halls, and discotheques with a capacity of 100 or more persons; and
4. M.G.L. c. 148, § 26H (if adopted through local option): lodging or boarding houses with six or more persons boarding or lodging.

The following statute is enforced by the head of the fire department, and shall be appealed through the Building Code Appeals Board:

5. M.G.L. c. 148, § 26A: certain high-rise buildings The following statute is enforced by the head of the fire department, and shall be appealed through a court of competent jurisdiction:
6. M.G.L. c. 148, § 26I (if adopted through local option): certain multiple dwelling units Where a statute requires enforcement by a building official but no appellate language is provided, decisions of said official shall be appealed to a court of competent jurisdiction and not the Building Code Appeals Board
101.4.6Energy. 780 CMR 13.00 Energy Efficiency shall apply to all matters governing the design and construction of buildings for energy efficiency.

Exception: Where a municipality has adopted the Stretch energy code or Specialized opt-in energy code then 225 CMR 23.00 shall apply.

101.4.7Architectural Access. Any reference in 780 CMR to accessibility shall be considered reference to 780 CMR 11.00 and to 521 CMR: Architectural Access Board. 521 CMR is enforced by the building official.
101.4.8Environmental Protection. See 310 CMR: Department of Environmental Protection and 314 CMR: Division of Water Pollution Control.
101.4.9Elevators. Any reference in 780 CMR to elevators and conveying systems shall be considered reference to 780 CMR 30 as amended, and to 524 CMR: Board of Elevator Regulations.
101.4.10Electrical. Any reference in 780 CMR to the International Electrical Code shall be considered reference to 527 CMR 12.00: Massachusetts Electrical Code (Amendments).
101.4.11Sheet Metal. See 271 CMR: Board of Examiners of Sheet Metal Workers.
101.4.12International Residential Code. Any reference in 780 CMR to the International Residential Code shall be considered reference to 780 CMR 51.00 through 115.00
101.4.13Transit and Commuter Rail Stations. Such stations shall comply with 780 CMR and NFPA 130-2014, chapters 2, 3, 4, and 5. Any references to NFPA 101 and NFPA 220 shall mean reference to 780 CMR. Where conflict exists between 780 CMR and the referenced standard, compliance with the referenced standard shall be required.
101.4.14Residential Contracting. Residential contracting is regulated by M.G.L. c. 142A and 201 CMR 18.00. See the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation for more information"
101.4.15International Swimming Pool and Spa Code. The design and construction of swimming pools, spas and hot tubs shall comply with 780 CMR 3109: Swimming Pool Enclosures and Safety Devices as amended, and to the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code - 2021. The scope of this adoption shall be governed by Section 101.2 of the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, however, the remainder of Chapter 1 of that code is not adopted.
101.4.16Existing Buildings. See 780 CMR 34.00: Existing Building Code and the provisions of the 2021 International Existing Building Code as amended. 780 CMR 34.00 shall apply to matters governing the repair, alteration, change of occupancy, addition to and relocation of existing buildings. The building official enforces the Existing Building Code as amended.

780 CMR, ch. 1, pt. 1, 101, 101.4

Amended by Mass Register Issue 1532, eff. 10/11/2024.
Amended by Mass Register Issue 1535, eff. 11/6/2024.