Code of Massachusetts Regulations
780 CMR - STATE BOARD OF BUILDING REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS
Chapter CHAPTER 34 - EXISTING BUILDING CODE
Part 1 - SCOPE AND APPLICATION
Section 307 - SMOKE ALARMS
Subsection 307.2 - Fire Protection Systems in R-2 Uses Which are not Currently Equipped with Sprinklers

Universal Citation: 780 CMR MA Code of Regs 307.2

Current through Register 1543, March 14, 2025

When 780 CMR 34.00 requires a smoke detection system in an R-2 Use and does not additionally require an NFPA 13, 13R, or 13D sprinkler system to be installed throughout the building, then subsections 307.2.1 through 307.2.3.1 shall apply.

307.2.1 Heat Detection. If a building fire alarm system is provided, a heat detector shall be provided inside each dwelling unit within six feet of the entrance door servicing common exit areas. The heat detectors shall be connected to the building fire alarm system and cause a general alarm throughout the building upon activation. This shall also apply to the R-2 Use of a mixed use building.

EXCEPTION: Buildings containing three units or fewer and not provided with a building fire alarm system that comply with 307.2.3.1.

307.2.2 Common Area Detection. If a building fire alarm system is provided, smoke detectors shall be provided in the common areas of the building. The common area detectors shall be connected to the building fire alarm system and cause a general alarm throughout the building upon activation. This shall also apply to any common area servicing the R-2 Use of a mixed use building.

EXCEPTION: Buildings containing three units or fewer and not provided with a building fire alarm system that comply with 302.10.3.1.

307.2.3 Dwelling Unit Detection. Interconnected dwelling unit smoke detection shall sound within that dwelling unit only.

EXCEPTION: For buildings of three stories or fewer used exclusively as R-2 Use with six or fewer dwelling units and with at least two means of egress serving each dwelling unit, the fire detection system may comply with the all of the following requirements:

1. Interconnected dwelling unit smoke detection shall sound within that dwelling unit only.

2. Area smoke detection shall be provided throughout common uses spaces including shared means of egress.

3. Heat detection shall be provided inside each dwelling unit within six feet of doors serving common areas.

Upon activation of either the common area smoke detection or the heat detection, a general alarm shall be sounded throughout the building.

307.2.3.1 Buildings with Three Dwelling Units or Fewer. In buildings containing 3 or fewer dwelling units which are not protected with sprinklers and which are not provided with a building fire alarm system, each dwelling unit shall have additional interconnected smoke alarm/detector on the stairway side of all doors leading to common interior stairways. If there is a common basement, a separate interconnected system of smoke detectors/alarms, including smoke detectors/alarms on the stairway side of all doors leading to interior stairways, shall be provided to serve the basement level only.

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