etector (? ) shown on the
left and the kitchen represented to the right.

If true length of x is less than or equal to 20 feet, then a photo electric smoke detector must be utilized. The true
length of x is the actual distance from the centerline of the ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted smoke detector to
the nearest edge of fixed, smoke-producing appliance.






















780 CMR: STATE BOARD OF BUILDING REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS
THE MASSACHUSETTS STATE BUILDING CODE


708
780 CMR - Sixth Edition
1/19/01



















Plan view of an open plan layout with the ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted smoke detector (? ) shown on the
left and the kitchen represented to the right.

If true length of x is less than or equal to 20 feet, then a photo electric smoke detector must be utilized. The true
length of x is the actual distance from the centerline of the ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted smoke detector to
the nearest edge of fixed, smoke-producing appliance.

Question 4: Are bedrooms now the only areas in which smoke detectors are required to be located?

Answer 4: No. 780 CMR 3603.16.10 defines all required smoke detector locations.


780 CMR: STATE BOARD OF BUILDING REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS

APPENDIX B


11/27/98
780 CMR - Sixth Edition
709
Question 5: 780 CMR 3603.16.7 titled Secondary electric power states that all household fire warning systems
shall have secondary (standby) power supplied from monitored batteries in accordance with the
household fire warning equipment requirements of NFPA 72. Does this mean that all smoke detector
systems must have a battery room providing standby power?

Answer 5: No. Single and multiple station, hard-wired smoke detectors that are ac primary powered are now
available with attached, replaceable battery and similar to battery-only single station smoke detectors,
the battery is monitored via the detector circuitry.

For alarm panel systems (listed control unit with automatic detectors and occupant notification
appliances), the monitored battery schemes tested and listed via the manufacturers compliance to NFPA
72, suffice.

Question 6: 780 CMR 3603.16.10 (5) states that fixed temperature heat detectors shall be installed in accordance
with the requirements of 780 CMR 3603.16.4. Does this mean that as of March 1, 1998, heat detectors
are required in one- and two-family dwellings controlled by the requirements of 780 CMR Chapter 36 of
the Sixth Edition of the Code?

Answer 6: No. As of March 1, 1998, heat detectors are still not required by 780 CMR Chapter 36 of the Sixth
Edition of the Code as 780 CMR 3603.16.4 is currently RESERVED , thus, at this time and until 780
CMR 3603.16.4 is otherwise amended, heat detectors are not required by Chapter 36 of the Sixth
Edition of the Code.

Question 7: 780 CMR 3603.16.13 requires that an existing one- or two-family dwelling be provided with a
household fire warning system for new construction when one or more sleeping rooms are added or
created in the existing dwelling. What constitutes a bedroom under this Section?

Answer 7: The State Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS), as the Agency promulgating the
Massachusetts State Building Code, is the AUTHORITY HAVING JURISDICTION (AHJ)
regarding the interpretation of regulations of the State Building Code and has determined that it is the
responsibility of the building owner or the agent of the building owner to identify any new or newly
created bedrooms or other space USES. If submitted plans and/or narratives that describe the work
intended identify such new additions or newly created spaces as other than bedrooms then 780 CMR
3603.16.13 does not apply (note that it is the REGULATED COMMUNITY and not the
REGULATOR who identifies, on plans and/or narratives submitted as part of the building permit
application to the Building Department, if a bedroom is being added or created).

1
Note that although NFPA 72-1996 is titled the National Fire Alarm Code, NFPA 72 is a national reference
standard and where Massachusetts State Building Code regulations explicitly differ from the requirements set forth in
the reference standard, the requirements of the State Building Code govern.