Overview
- The Massachusetts Board of Fire Prevention Regulations voted Thursday to adopt updated code language that will be added to the next Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code.
- The new rules require building owners to check for recalled sprinkler heads during annual inspections, notify their local fire department if recalled equipment is found, and promptly replace those heads.
- Local fire departments will be able to order interim fire protections until recalled components are removed, and the code adds limits on hot work when winds exceed 15 miles per hour plus hot-work retraining every three years.
- The change follows the July 2025 Gabriel House fire in Fall River, where investigators said a recalled sprinkler head failed to activate and 10 residents died, and it responds to CPSC warnings that many recalled heads remain in service.
- Publication of the code in early 2027 will determine enforcement timing and could push similar national code updates, while owners of assisted living and other buildings will face new inspection, replacement and compliance costs.