32A-124 57 King St 13D denial 2013-07-15Bruce Coldham
Coldham and Hartman Architects
49 South Pleasant Street
Amherst, MA 01002
July 15, 2013
Re: 57 King Street
Map 32A-124
Dear Mr. Coldham,
I have reviewed your request to install an NFPA 13D sprinkler system in the residential portion of the mixed use building at 57 King Street in Northampton. I have denied your request
for a 13D system. I will require a sprinkler system installed in accordance with NFPA 13R throughout the residential space.
The 8th Massachusetts State Building Code 780 CMR chapter 34, in sections 302.1 (prescriptive compliance method) and 1001.1 (work area method for additions) require that work on the
addition comply with the code requirements for new construction. Chapter 9, table 902.3 note 9 (a) requires that a sprinkler system in a mixed use building be installed in accordance
with NFPA 13. This would result in a NFPA 13 system installed only in the newly constructed area of the residential unit.
As we previously discussed, I am willing to grant a code modification in accordance with chapter 1, section 104.10 to allow an NFPA 13R system throughout the residential portion of
the building as an alternative to the NFPA 13 system required only in the area of new construction. I believe that an NFPA 13R system throughout the residential portion of the building
will provide a higher level of safety without the prohibitive expense of an NFPA 13 system only in the new portion of the unit.
In accordance with the Massachusetts State Building Code 780 CMR chapter 1 section 113 and G.L. C. 143 §100, you have the right to appeal this decision to the State Building Code Appeals
Board. I have included information on the appeals process and an application.
Feel free to call me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Louis Hasbrouck
Building Commissioner
City of Northampton
lhasbrouck@city.northampton.ma.us
(413) 587-1240
cc Jack Finn
Duane Nichols