02-385 C.M.R. ch. 920
Chapter 920 Used Standard - Fire Safety
SUMMARY: The purpose of this chapter is to set forth requirements that will assure reasonable fire safety to the occupants by reducing fire hazards and by providing measures for early detection.
All manufactured homes, regardless of the date of manufacture, shall meet the following requirements. They are:
1. At least one smoke detector (which may be a single station alarm device) shall be installed in the home in the following locations:
A. A smoke detector shall be installed on any wall in the hallway or space communicating with each bedroom area between the living area and the first bedroom door unless a door separates the living area from that bedroom area, in which case the detector shall be installed on the living area side as close to the door as practical. Homes having bedroom areas separated by any one or combination of communication areas such as kitchen, dining room, living room, or family room (but not a bathroom or utility room) shall have at least one detector protecting each bedroom area.
B. When located in hallways, the detector shall be between the return air intake and the living area.
C. The smoke detector shall not be placed in a location which impairs its effectiveness.
D. Smoke detectors shall be labeled as conforming with the requirements of Underwriters Laboratory Standards No. 217, Third Edition, 1985, as amended through October 8, 1985, for single and multiple station smoke detectors.
E. Each smoke detector shall be installed in accordance with its listing on a wall or ceiling. If installed on a wall, the top of the detector shall be located 4 inches to 12 inches below the ceiling. However, when a detector is mounted on an interior wall below a sloping
ceiling, it shall be located 4 inches to 12 inches below the intersection on the connecting exterior wall and the sloping ceiling (cathedral ceiling). The required detector(s) shall be attached to an electrical outlet box and the detector connected by permanent wiring method into a general electrical circuit. There shall be no switches in the circuit to the detector between the over-current protection device protecting the branch circuit and the detector. The smoke detector shall not be placed on any circuit protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter.
All manufactured homes constructed before June 15, 1976, are "grandfathered" from meeting flame spread limitations, except work that is performed to meet the requirement of this code shall not be exempt. The requirements are:
1. Ceiling interior finish shall not have a flame spread rating exceeding 75.
2. Walls and ceilings adjacent to enclosing a furnace or water heater shall have an interior finish with a flame spread rating not exceeding 25. Sealants and other trim material 2 inches or less in width used to finish adjacent surfaces within this space are exempt if supported by framing members or by materials having a flame spread rating not exceeding 25.
3. Exposed interior finishes adjacent to the cooking range shall have a flame spread rating not exceeding 50.
4. Kitchen cabinet doors, countertops, backsplashes, exposed bottoms, and end panels shall have a flame spread rating not to exceed 200.
5. Finish surfaces of plastic bathtubs, shower units, and tub or shower doors shall not exceed a flame spread of 200.
6. No burner of a surface cooking unit shall be closer than 12 horizontal inches to a window or an exterior door.
All manufactured homes, regardless of the date of manufacture, will meet the following requirements. They are:
1. The bottom and sides of combustible kitchen cabinets over cooking ranges to a horizontal distance of 6 inches from the outside edge of the cooking range shall be protected with at least 5/16-inch thick gypsum board or equivalent limited combustible material. One-inch nominal
framing members and trim are exempted from this requirement. The cabinet area over the cooking range or cooktops shall be protected by a metal hood with not less than a 3-inch eyebrow projecting horizontally from the front cabinet face. The 5/16-inch thick gypsum board or equivalent material which is above the top of the hood may be supported by the hood. A 3/8-inch enclosed air space shall be provided between the bottom surface of the cabinet and the gypsum board or equivalent material. The hood shall be at least as wide as the cooking range.
2. The metal hood will not be required if there is an oven installed between the cabinet and the range.
3. Ranges shall have a vertical clearance above the cooking top of not less than 24 inches to the bottom of combustible cabinets.
All manufactured homes, regardless of the date of manufacture, shall meet the following requirements. They are:
1. Carpeting shall not be used in a space or compartment designed to contain only a furnace and/or water heater. Carpeting may be used in other areas where a furnace or water heater is installed, provided that it is not located under the furnace or water heater.
EFFECTIVE DATE: December 12, 1990
EFFECTIVE DATE (ELECTRONIC CONVERSION): January 11, 1997