32C-044 (8) ss
165 Liberty Street fl, t 6 p1''�7,y�
Springfield, MA 01103 '�I '
November 15, 1993
Dr. Jonathan Parad
Respite Manager
17 New South Street
Northampton, MA 01060
Dear Dr. Parad:
In accordance with M.G.L. Chapter III, Section 51, I conducted an
inspection of the l�rl..„# _ tre:Go®unity Mental Health Center clinic in
Northampton. "
The Massachusetts. State Building Code promulgated under CMR 780 classifies
buildings in two separate and independent ways. The first is by the construction
type, and the second is by the use group classification. The building in which
your clinic is located is classified as Type 3B construction, and the use group
for a clinic, such as this one, is classified as "B" - Business. The 5th
edition of the M.S.B.C., the governing code at this time, provides (5) five
types of construction, and (10) ten use group classifications. The use group
classifications are as follows:
A - Assembly F - Factory & Industrial M - Mercantile U - Utility
B - Business H - Hazard R - Residential
C - Educational I - Institutional S - Storage
Code requirements for each particular use group are substantially different,
depending upon the relative risk associated with each use group, and type of
construction.
During my inspection of the clinic, it appeared that rooms that would
normally be used for offices were arranged for the purpose of being used for
sleeping quarters, complete with beds and bureaus.
.t would be unlawful to change or extend the use of any building from one
use group to another without obtaining a building permit.
Section 113.1 states "It shall be unlawful to construct, reconstruct, alter,
repair, remove or demolish a structure; or to change the use or occupancy of a
building or structure, without first filing a written application with the
building official and obtaining the required permit."
-?- Nov. 15, 1993
If you so elect to utilize the building for residential, institutional,
or any other use, you must file a written application, along with (3) three
sets of plans, obtain a building permit, and upon completion, secure a use and
occupancy permit prior to occupying the building.
Please contact the local building department to address all building code
requirements, after which the required certificate of inspection can be issued
by the Department of Public Safety.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Sincerely,
Eugene
,rte
Eugene M. Novak
State Building Inspector
EMN/hsh
cy: Thomas L. Rogers, Chief of Inspections
Frank Sienkiewicz, Northampton Building Commissioner
Pat Lyons, Department of Mental Health