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SD 675

An Act relative to fire protection

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by John Cronin

Requires automatic sprinklers in new or majorly altered residential buildings of four+ units where adopted locally, with waivers or alternatives possible.

House concurred
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Bill Summary · SD 675

Summary: Senate Bill 675 – An Act Relative to Fire Protection

Status: House concurred; introduced February 27, 2025; referred to Public Safety and Homeland Security (Senate Docket No. 675). The bill is a proposed measure in the 2025-2026 Massachusetts General Court.

Purpose and intent

  • Establish a statewide framework to require automatic fire sprinklers in certain residential buildings undergoing new construction or major alterations, with local adoption by cities, towns, or districts.
  • Provide a mechanism for waivers or alternative fire suppression arrangements in cases where water supply is inadequate or where buildings have special characteristics (architectural/historical significance).

Key provisions

Section 1: Mandatory sprinkler requirement (subject to local adoption)

  • Applies to buildings that are:
    • Constructed after the section takes effect, or undergoes a major alteration or modification, and
    • Occupied wholly or partly for residential purposes, containing not less than four dwelling units (including lodging houses, boarding houses, fraternities, dormitories, apartments, townhouses, condominiums, hotels, motels, and group residences).
  • Local jurisdictions that accept this section must require an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with the State Building Code.
  • If a municipality determines the water supply is inadequate, the fire chief may permit an alternative or modified fire suppression system as allowed by the State Building Code.
  • Owners of buildings with approved, properly maintained sprinkler installations may be eligible for fire insurance discounts.
  • Enforcement: The fire chief must enforce the section.
  • Appeals: aggrieved parties may appeal to the Automatic Sprinkler Appeals Board (as provided in Chapter 6, Section 201) within 45 days of service of notice. The board can:
    • Grant a waiver from the section, or
    • Allow installation of a reasonable alternative, modified, or partial sprinkler system, based on building characteristics or architectural/historical significance.

Section 2: Relationship to the State Building Code

  • Nothing in the act limits the State Building Code from imposing more stringent sprinkler requirements on residential buildings.

Section 3: Exemption for projects approved prior to the effective date

  • The provisions shall not apply to construction projects that were approved by permit within one year prior to the act’s effective date.

Who is affected

  • Building owners and developers of residential properties containing four or more dwelling units.
  • Fire departments and municipal authorities responsible for enforcement and fire protection compliance.
  • Residents and tenants in affected buildings (potentially benefiting from sprinkler protection and insurance discounts).
  • Insurance providers offering fire insurance discounts for compliant buildings.
  • Affected parties seeking waivers or modifications may interact with the Automatic Sprinkler Appeals Board.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Local option: The sprinkler requirement applies only in municipalities that accept the section.
  • Enforcement and appeals: Establishes a defined process for enforcement by the local fire department and a 45-day window for appeals to the sprinkler board.
  • Effective date: Not explicitly stated in the text provided; Section 3 provides a one-year look-back exemption for permits approved before the effective date.
  • Legislative history: Similar language was previously considered (see House, No. 2290 of 2023-2024); the current bill is a new filing for the 2025-2026 session.

Potential impact

  • In jurisdictions that adopt the section, substantial expansion of automatic sprinkler requirements for larger residential structures could occur, improving life safety.
  • The waivers and alternative systems provide flexibility for unique properties or water-constrained sites.
  • Possible cost implications for construction and retrofits, offset by potential insurance premium reductions for compliant buildings.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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