cityofboston.gov - Official Web Site of the City of Boston - Thomas M. Menino, Mayor

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Fire Alarm System Permitting

The following information is necessary for review to begin, and must be submitted.

Plans with device locations, room labels and scale noted.
Plans should be submitted as fire alarm layer only. Where more than one type of visual
appliance is specified, the candela of each should be noted as a subscript to the device on
the drawings. A riser diagram is required for each system.
Manufacturer's cut sheets for all equipment.
Manufacturer’s cut sheets are checked for UL listing, compatibility and to double-check
battery calculations. Be sure this information is available.
Complete Battery calculations back to main panel.
All initiating devices and notification appliances should be included. If this is an addition
to an existing system, the ability of the existing panel to accept the addition of a zone or
devices should be shown.
Narrative describing scope of work and basis of design.
The narrative should briefly but completely address the scope of work being done. This
should also state the type of occupancy per 780 CMR, chapter 3 (use groups) as well as the
code which the fire alarm system is designed under. If the designer is taking advantage of
exceptions within the State Building Code, this should be addressed here.
Sequence of Operations for alarm system.
This will describe how the initiating devices report an alarm condition to the building
occupants and/or the fire department. Additional controls by the fire alarm system,
such as elevator recall and smoke control should be addressed.

Plans will be assigned a “document number” which is used for internal tracking purposes
only. All contact or information between an applicant and the Boston Fire Department
concerning a set of plans should always reference the assigned document number.
Locations requesting a Masterbox installation must have the designer or installer contact
Superintendent Patrick O’Rourke, 617-343-2060, prior to beginning installation.

Permits are valid for one year after approval. Contact the Fire Prevention Division for extensions.

Important Safety Information from the Boston Fire Department

It is important that you take the following actions to minimize your risk of injury due to fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.

Important Safety Information from the Boston Fire Department
Candle Usage Guidelines, Definitions and Application for Candle Usage in a Place of Assembly

Effective November 1, 2011 the Boston Fire Department will require that the use of candles in a Place of Assembly be permitted as defined in the attached document.

Candle Usage Guidelines, Definitions and Application for Candle Usage in a Place of Assembly
New Requirements for Antifreeze Solutions in Sprinkler Systems

On July 1, 2011 the Boston Fire Department was directed by the State Fire Marshal’s Office to enforce the provisions of NFPA 25 published in March 2011, pertaining to the testing and replacement of noncompliant antifreeze solutions in existing antifreeze filled sprinkler systems.

New Requirements for Antifreeze Solutions in Sprinkler Systems
New Crowd Manager Regulations

According to 527 CMR 10.13 effective June 1, 2011 a trained crowd manager must be present in any Nightclub, Bar, Discotheque, or Dance Hall with an occupant load of 100 or more persons during all hours when the facility is open to patrons.

Mass. Dept. of Fire Services Information on Crowd Manager Designation