USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1952-1954 > Part 37
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FLOOR JOISTS: shall not be less than 2"x6" up to an 8' span, 2''x8" up to a 12' span, 2"x10" up to a 14' span, 2"x12" up to an eighteen foot (18') span, or of material of equal strength. Joists shall be set not more than 16" on centers. Spans of more than eight feet (8') shall be bridged once, of more than twelve feet (12') twice. Ends of joists shall not be notched more than one-fourth of their depth, except with the approval of the Commissioner. (The rule for bridging and notching includes Platforms and Piazzas.) Joists under partitions running parallel to them shall be doubled. In frame construction every opening exceeding three feet (3') in width, in a bearing partition shall be trussed. Stair stringers must be at least two inches (2") thick, shall be placed not over eighteen (18") on centers. All floors shall be double boarded. All walls and partitions going through floors shall be fire-stopped with masonry or with wood not less than two inches (2") thick nominal dimension. Studding of outside walls and bearing partitions shall be not less than 2"x4" set 16" on centers. Balloon frame shall not be used on walls more than 14' high, measured from the sill. Bal- loon frame shall have ledger boards not less than 1"x6" set into the
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studs, and shall be thoroughly fire-stopped at each floor level. Stud- ding of nonbearing partitions shall rest on a shoe not less than 2" thick. Corner posts shall be not less than 4"x6" and may be built up. All corners shall be braced with diagonal braces, extending out at least two bays of studding. Bearing partitions 8' or over in height shall have at least one row of horizontal bracing in each story of the same size as the studs. All joist headers more than two and one half feet (21/2') long shall be doubled and spiked together, or be at least four inches in thickness. All joists support- ing headers shall be doubled and spiked or be at least four inches in thickness.
RAFTERS: (Except Platforms and Porches). Rafters shall be as follows: Where the pitch is less than 4" to the foot, 2"x4" up to 4' horizontal span, 2"x5" up to 6' horizontal span, 2"x6" up to 8' horizontal span, 2"x8" up to 12' horizontal span, shall not be spaced more than 16" on centers. Where the pitch is more than 4" to the foot, 2"x4" up to 6' horizontal span, 2"x5" up to 9' horizontal span, 2"x6" up to 12' horizontal span, shall be placed not more than 24" on centers. 2"x6" up to 15' horizontal span and 2''x8" up to 18' horizontal span shall be spaced not more than 16" on centers.
(b) Platforms and Piazzas: Floor joists on porches or plat- forms shall be not less than 2"x6" on spans up to 8'. Girders of 4"x6", laid on edge, shall be used where the span is more than 8'. Floor timbers may be framed flush. Ends of joists shall not be notched more than 1/4 of their depth; the same being well spiked to said girders, and a 1"x2" must be well nailed to girder flush with the under side, for floor timber to rest upon.
(c) Garages: Garages allowed in a Zone A area may use 2"x4" sills where they rest upon continuous foundations, otherwise they must be 4"x6" laid on edge. Studding for outside walls shall be at least 2"x4" and not more than 24" on centers. All exterior walls and roofs shall be sheathed with sheathing not less than 11-16" thick. Any non-residential building that is to be later converted into a residence must conform to the requirements of residential construction.
ARTICLE V
Setback: Setback of any building shall be 30' from the street line where no building line is already established. No building, resi- dential or non-residential, shall be erected nearer than 8' to the side or rear of lot lines, except by permission of the Board of Appeals after adjoining property owners and other interested par- ties have been notified.
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ARTICLE VI-Prohibition
Section 1. No studding for any part of the outside walls of any building shall be less than 2"x4", except for small storage buildings with walls not over 7' in height. Studding for such wall may be 2''x3" and shall be spaced not over 16" on centers.
Section 2. No building already erected or hereafter to be built shall be extended, altered, raised, moved or built upon in such a manner as to be contrary to the provisions of the Building Code relating to new construction.
Section 3. No wall of any building already constructed shall be increased in height unless the entire building is altered so as to conform to the requirements of the Building Code relative to new buildings.
Section 4. Doors shall not open immediately upon a flight of stairs but on a landing at least equal to the width of the door.
Section 5. No opening shall be made in a wall separating a store either from a habitation or stairway leading to a habitation unless protected by fire-doors, approved by the Inspector of Build- ings.
Section 6. In no case shall a chimney be built out of plumb unless the same be attached to a brick wall or approved by the Building Commissioner.
Section 7. In running pipes, no floor joist, header or trimmer shall be cut into more than 2" in depth or more than 3' from its support, without a permit from the Inspector of Buildings.
Section 8. No Coal Bin or closet of any kind shall be con- structed under a stairway in any building other than a one family house and then only when approved by the Inspector of Buildings.
Section 9. No wood lintel shall be used to support masonry over a door, window, or other opening.
Section 10. No change shall be made in character of occu- pancy or use of any building or portion of building, which would change the required floor strength, unless such building is made to comply with the requirements of this Code.
Section 11. No reinforcing steel or structural frame-work of any part of any building or structure shall be covered or concealed in any manner whatsoever without first obtaining the approval of the Inspector of Buildings.
Section 12. No repairs after fires shall be made except in a manner satisfactory to the Inspector of Buildings. All structural
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parts damaged by fire shall be removed and replaced with new material. Slightly damaged parts not impaired in strength shall be treated as directed by the Inspector of Buildings.
ARTICLE VII-Fire Safety and Prevention
Section 1. All buildings hereafter erected shall be made reason- ably fire safe.
.Section 2. Buildings shall not be located within ten feet of any other building nor nearer a lot line, public or private way than five feet unless the walls are of masonry construction except that in buildings of frame construction an exposed wall which is less than ten feet from a wall of another building shall have a fire resisting rating of not less than two hours; provided that the mate- rials of the weather surface may be similar to that of the other exterior walls of the building. Openings in such walls shall be protected with fire resisting materials.
Section 3. All stud walls, partitions, furring and spaces between joists where they rest on walls or bearing partitions and similar vertical spaces shall be fire-stopped with incombustible material in a manner to cut off all concealed draft openings and form an effectual horizontal fire barrier between stories and between stories and roof space full depth of joists, except that in one story or one and one-half story wooden buildings for residential occupancy, fire stopping may be done with wood not less than two inches in thickness and full width of wall or partition and forming an effectual fire barrier between stories and roof spaces. Such fire stopping shall extend the full depth of joists and at least 4" above each floor level. Stair carriages shall be fire stopped at least once in the middle portion of each run.
Section 4. No fire stopping shall be concealed from view until authorized by the Commissioner.
Section 5. Party walls shall be of masonry or other approved incombustible material not less than 12" thick and all openings shall be protected with approved automatic self closing fire doors. All partitions dividing stores and store basements in a block shall be constructed of incombustible materials. Ceilings in stores not constructed of fire-resisting materials shall be plastered on metal lath.
Section 6. Buildings constructed above the ground on posts or piers, including porches, piazzas, etc., shall have solid outside wall construction carried to the ground. Openings may be inserted not exceeding twelve sq. ft. in area in any one elevation, providing that such openings be equipped with sash, shutters or doors that will close the openings and can be closed from outside.
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Section 7. All apparatus for heating and cooking shall be so installed as not to create a fire hazard.
Gas Fitting:
(a) No person, or persons, shall construct, extend or alter any system of pipes for the conveyance, distribution, or use of gas, or install any pipes for the conveyance, distribution, or use of gas, or install any gas appliance, unless he is lawfully registered with the Building Commissioner.
(b) All concealed, painted, or coated gas piping and fittings shall be tested at the request of and in the presence of the Com- missioner, or his agent, in a manner satisfactory to the Commis- sioner.
(c) Defective or second hand pipe or fittings shall not be used unless such materials meet the requirements of new pipe and fit- tings. No sweated joints shall be used on pipe conveying gas inside of buildings. All materials shall be subject to the Commissioner's approval.
(d) All gas appliances are subject to the approval of the Com- missioner.
(e) Every gas appliance shall be connected to an effective flue or outlet pipe to the outer air. In cases where the flue pipe does not enter a chimney, the flue pipe shall enter a vertical stack terminating with a suitable device installed to prevent a down draft. The flue or pipe, where extending through from floor to floor to roof, located inside of partitions or walls, or extending through wall or partitions, shall have at least one and one-half inch clearance from all combustible materials, or otherwise as the Commissioner may require. A pitch or rise of at least one-fourth inch to the foot shall be maintained. No vent pipe shall enter the chimney or flue at a lower level than the outlet of the appliance.
(f) The cross sectional areas of flues, or vents, for gas burning appliances shall not be less than one square inch per 7.500 hourly B.T.U. input and in no case, shall this section be less than three inches in diameter.
Section 8. Metal smoke stacks may be permitted only when enclosed, within the building, in walls of approved masonry con- struction and so designed that the entire stack is accessible for examination and repair.
Section 9. Smoke pipes shall enter the side of chimneys through a suitable thimble and shall not pass through combustible parti- tions, provided that smoke pipes from ordinary ranges and stoves
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may do so if guarded by double metal ventilated thimbles or other approved fireproof materials.
Section 10. Combustible material over or at the sides of heaters and smoke pipes shall be covered with wire lath and plaster or other approved fire resisting materials to such an extent as the Commissioner may require.
Section 11. Warm air pipes leading from furnace to stacks or risers shall not be placed nearer than l" to combustible materials unless such material is properly protected. No warm air pipe shall be concealed in a floor or partition of combustible construction unless it is at least 6' distant in a horizontal direction from the furnace. Wall stacks and other concealed hot air pipes shall be covered with one thickness of asbestos paper, weighing not less than 12 pounds per hundred square feet or other approved material. Register boxes may be double sheet metal with not less than 1" air space or may be single and covered with asbestos 1/8" thick. In one-pipe furnaces the space between casing and register boxes shall be not less than 4". Every warm air furnace shall have at least one register without valve or louvres.
Section 12. Where steam or hot water pipes pass through combustible floors, partitions or other materials, they shall be pro- tected by metal sleeves with not less than 1/4" air space between pipe and sleeves or there shall be an air space of not less than 1" on all sides of pipe. The sleeve or air space shall be capped at ends with an incombustible material.
Section 13. Stoves shall be set on approved incombustible ma- terials extending not less than 6" beyond stove on all sides. Stoves without at least 6" clear air space beneath same shall not be placed within 12" of walls or partitions of combustible material unless protected by a shield of approved incombustible material of such area as the Commissioner may require.
Section 14. No hot air, hot water or steam heating furnace shall be located nearer than 18" in any direction to combustible materials or construction.
Section 15. Room containing furnaces or other heating ap- paratus having a grate area of more than ten square feet shall be separated from other parts of the building by fire resisting walls, partitions and ceilings having at least a two hour rating. Doorways from such rooms to other rooms within the building shall be fitted with approved self-closing fire doors.
Section 16. Every roof hereafter placed on a building shall be covered with an approved fire resisting roofing. Where it is desired
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to use wood shingles they shall be verticle grain or edge grain wooden shingles. Five shingles measured at the butts shall be in accordance with American Lumber Standards established in simpli- fied Practice Recommendation R-16-29 of the U. S. Department of Commerce. Such shingles shall be firmly nailed to roof deck with rust resistive nails.
RESTRICTIONS ON CONSTRUCTION WITHIN ESTABLISHED FIRE LIMITS
The following Fire Limits are hereby established:
Beginning at a point on the northwesterly side of Front Street at the centerline of Satuit Brook, thence running in a northwesterly direction by said centerline of Satuit Brook to the division line be- tween Lot 7 and Lot 8 as shown on the Waterman Plan, thence running northeasterly by said division line and the northeasterly extension thereof to the northeasterly line of Brook Street, thence running in a southeasterly direction by said northeasterly line of Brook Street 285 feet, thence running in a general northeasterly direction by a series of lines, said lines being 100 feet distant from and parallel to the northwesterly line of Front Street to the south- erly line of Morton Lane, thence running southeasterly by the southerly line of Morton Lane to the westerly line of Front Street, thence running in a northerly direction across Front Street to a point in the easterly line of Front Street marking the northwesterly corner of land of Russell H. Dyer et. ux., thence running in an easterly direction by the Dyer northerly line 150 feet, thence run- ning in a general southeasterly direction to the northeasterly cor- ner of the Welch Company Dock, thence running in a general southerly direction by the outer face of said Dock to land of the Town of Scituate and marked by a Bulkhead, thence running in a general southerly and thence southwesterly direction by the line of the existing Parking Space Bulkhead to a point approximately 80 feet from the southeasterly line of Front Street, thence running southwesterly by the northerly extension of a ditch and by said ditch to Edward Foster Road, thence running northwesterly, north- erly and northeasterly by the northerly line of Edward Foster Road to a point in the southeasterly line of Front Street, thence running in a northeasterly direction by said southeasterly line of Front Street to the centerline of Satuit Brook and thence running north- westerly across Front Street and by said centerline of Satuit Brook to the point of beginning.
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1. GENERAL RESTRICTIONS:
Except as otherwise provided in sub-section 5 of this section, no building or structure of wood frame construction or of unpro- tected metal construction shall be erected within the Fire Limits.
2. ALTERATIONS:
(a) Within the fire limits no building or structure of wood frame construction or of unprotected metal construction shall be hereafter increased in height.
(b) Within the fire limits no building or structure of wood frame construction or of unprotected metal construction shall be hereafter extended on any side; unless the construction of such extension conforms to the requirements of this code for new con- struction: and provided that the total area of the building including extension shall not exceed the allowable area for wood frame construction.
(c) Within the fire limits no other building or structure shall be hereafter extended on any side by wood frame construction or unprotected metal construction.
(d) Nothing in this section shall prohibit other alterations within the fire limits; provided there is no change of occupancy to a class of occupancy otherwise prohibited.
3. MOVING BUILDINGS:
No building of wood frame construction or unprotected metal construction shall hereafter be moved from without to within the fire limits or within the fire limits.
4. DOUBTFUL LOCATION:
A building or structure shall be deemed to be within the fire limits if one-third or more of the area of such building or structure is located therein.
5. EXCEPTIONS:
Nothing in this section shall prohibit within the fire limits and subject to the fire limits and subject to the specified limita- tions, the erection of new buildings or structures, nor the extension or enlargement of heretofore erected buildings or structures, of wood frame construction or unprotected metal construction, as follows:
(a) Frame dwellings not exceeding two stories in height and separated by at least 8 feet from lot line of adjoining property.
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(b) Gasoline service stations, parking lot offices, real estate offices or similar business structures, of unprotected metal con- struction, not exceeding 2,500 square feet in area, nor more than one story in height, and located at least 10 feet from lot lines. If erected less than 10 feet from the adjoining lot line, the walls facing such lot lines shall have a fire resistance of not less than one hour.
(c) A building of wood frame construction or of unprotected metal construction occupied exclusively as a private garage or stable, not more than one story in height nor more than 750 square feet in arca, located on the same lot with a dwelling; provided that such building shall be placed at least 8 feet from the lot lines of adjoining property.
(d) Outhouse not more than 8 feet in height nor more than 100 square feet in area.
(c) Greenhouses not more than 15 feet in height erected on the same lot with and accessory to a dwelling or a store.
(f) Sheds open on the long side, not more than 15 feet in height nor more than 500 square feet in area, located at least 8 feet from buildings and from adjoining lot lines.
(g) Builders' shanties for use only in connection with a duly authorized building operation and located on the same lot with such building operation, on a lot immediately adjoining, on an upper floor of the building under construction, or on a sidewalk shed.
(h) Coal tipples, ice houses, material bins, trestles and water tanks, when built of planking and timbers of the dimensions speci- fied for heavy timber construction.
(i) Fences not exceeding 10 feet in height.
(j) Roofs over parking lots, of unprotected metal construction, where roof is at least 10 feet above the floor, and every 40 feet there is an open ventilation area 6 feet wide extending either the full length or the full width of the roof.
Except as otherwise provided in sub-section 5 of this section, no building or structure of wood frame construction or of unpro- tected metal construction shall be erected within the Fire Limits.
The exterior walls of all buildings for commercial, mercantile or manufacturing purposes erected within these areas shall have a fire resistance of at least two hours.
ARTICLE VIII-Health Safeguards
a. All plumbing systems shall be installed in accordance with rules and regulations on file with the Board of Health, and shall
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be subject to the approval of the Inspector of Plumbing.
b. Wherever sewers are not available, the plumbing of every building shall be connected to a suitable cesspool or septic tank with leaching drains. All cesspools shall be substantially constructed with reinforced concrete or arched top to fit 18" iron or cement cover. Dug at least 8' in diameter and 6' deep. Septic tanks may be of iron or cement and of a capacity equal to the average daily sewage flow but in no case, less than 300 gallons.
c. Disposal fields shall be of sufficient area and with effective leaching surface to take care of the minimum flow. Field shall consist of a series of finger trenches exposing a stratum of effective leaching soil. A distribution pipe of perforated indestructible ma- terial or vitrified clay with protected open joints shall be laid the entire length of the trench with a grade of approximately 4" in 100 feet. Around the distribution pipe place coarse gravel to within one foot of the surface. Over this, place building paper to prevent top soil from filling the interstices below the stones and cover with loam.
d. In no case shall sewage be deposited above ground, or under ground nearer than 15' to a street or adjoining lot line if the adjoining land be lower or five feet if it be higher. If in the opinion of the Commissioner, unusual conditions not covered under these By-Laws are encountered, he may withhold a building permit until plans submitted to the Board of Health for disposal of sewage shall bear their approval.
ARTICLE IX-Building Commissioner
The Board of Selectmen shall appoint a BUILDING COMMIS- SIONER who shall be a citizen of the Town of Scituate and qualified by training and experience in the supervision of building opera- tions as a master builder of not less than ten (10) years of experi- ence. His term of office shall be for one (1) year. He may with the approval of the Selectmen, appoint such qualified and experi- enced assistants as he may deem necessary, their compensation to be paid from the appropriation for the expenses of Building Depart- ment in such amounts as the Selectmen shall approve.
Section 2. The word "Commissioner" in this By-Law shall mean the Building Commissioner or his authorized representative. The Commissioner shall have all powers and duties which he would have if he were herein denominated "Inspector of Buildings."
Section 3. The Inspector of Buildings shall see that the pro- visions of this Code and except as otherwise provided, those of the statutes of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, relating to build- ings, are strictly observed; and to that end, shall have authority
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to institute any proccedings for the purpose of enforcing or pre- venting violations of the provisions thereof or enjoining the main- tenance of any structure crected contrary thereto.
Section 4. The Commissioner shall have full power to pass upon questions arising under the provisions of this Code relating to the manner of repair of any structure; shall grant, sign and revoke all permits, and give notices required by this Code, and may dele- gate any of his duties or powers to any person employed in the Department of Building Inspection.
Section 5. The Commissioner or any member of his depart- ment shall have the right at any time in the performance of his duties, to enter, examine, and inspect any premises, building, or any other structure within the Town of Scituate, Massachusetts.
Section 6. No oversight or neglect of duty on the part of the Inspector of Buildings shall legalize the erection, construction, al- teration or repair of any building or structure in a manner not in conformity with the provisions of this Code.
Section 7. The Builder in charge of construction, or the owner of the premises shall give notice to the Commissioner whenever any parts are ready for inspection, if those parts are to be covered in the further construction of the building. The Commissioner shall respond promptly and in no case shall he delay more than thirty-six (36) hours after such notice has been received. It is also required that stamp of approval by the several Inspectors be placed on the permit, before any lathing is started.
Section 8. All buildings hereafter erected of a description not specified in this Code, shall be constructed in a manner that shall be satisfactory to the Commissioner.
ARTICLE X-Permits
Before erecting, altering, moving, razing, adding to or making any changes in use or type of occupancy of any building or struc- ture, the owner or his agent shall file an application for a permit with the Building Department. No work shall begin until a permit is granted. The application shall state the location, dimensions, estimated cost, nature and extent of the proposed work or changes, purpose for which the building is to be used and such other infor- mation as the Commissioner may require. No work shall be done except in accordance with the permit.
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