38A-115 (3) I will need to inspect the building to confirm the existing conditions. If the conditions do not
require fire doors, I will authorize removal of the automatic closers.
There may be other codes and regulations that pertain to this building. My jurisdiction only extends to
the state building code.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. You can reach me at (413) 587-1240 or by
email at IhasbrouckCcilnorthamptonma.gov.
Respectfully,
Louis Hasbrouck
Building Commissioner
City of Northampton
Iasbrouck(a�city.northampton.ma.us
cc Sara McNally
Beth Tedeschi
r.
City of Northampton
Massachusetts
' DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING INSPECTIONS
212 Main Street • Municipal Building
' Northampton, MA 01060 ssN..........
Regina Gerrick
The Community Builders, Inc.
95 Berkeley Street 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02116
December 15, 2015
re: Exterior doors, 72 Musante Drive Unit B
38A-115
Dear xx,
I have reviewed the building code as it relates to the exterior doors serving unit B at 72 Musante
Drive.
The building was constructed in 2008, in accordance with the 6th edition of the Mass building code. The
current code is the 8th edition. There have been many changes to the code in the interim.
The term fire door or fire rated door refers to a door that will resist the spread of fire for a specified
amount of time. A fire rated door assembly includes the door panel, the doorjamb and a mechanism that
automatically closes the door.
Those doors were specified as fire doors in the original plan. The 6th edition code required rated doors in
certain fire rated walls. It is not clear whether fire rated doors were required in those exterior walls, but they were
specified on the original plans.
The 8th edition of the Massachusetts State Building Code states:
"102.6 Existing Structures
The legal occupancy of any structure existing on the date of adoption of this code shall be permitted to continue
without change, except as is specifically covered in this code or as deemed necessary by the building official for
the general safety and welfare of the public.
102.6.1 Laws in Effect
Unless specifically provided otherwise in this code, and narrow to the provisions of this code, any existing building
or structure shall meet and shall be presumed to meet the provisions of the applicable laws, codes, rules or
regulations, bylaws or ordinances in effect at the time such building or structure was constructed or altered and
shall be allowed to continue to be occupied pursuant to its use and occupancy, provided that the building or
structure shall be maintained by the owner in accordance with this code....
102.6.3 Less Stringent
In cases where the provisions of this code are less stringent than the applicable codes, rules or regulations,
bylaws or ordinances at the time of such construction or substantial alteration, the applicable provisions of this
code shall apply, providing such application can be reasonably demonstrated to not result in danger to the public,
as determined by the building official."
The 8th edition code would not require fire doors in a dwelling unit such as unit B. Other doors in that
building (those leading from a dwelling unit into a common hallway) do need to be fire doors, but the exterior
doors in unit B that open directly to the outside of the building and are not part of a common means of egress do
not. As such, automatic door closers are not required by the state building code.