USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of the officers and committees of the town of Scituate 1955-1957 > Part 17
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Section 7. Wherever the safe sustaining power of the soil upon which a building is to be erected does not conform to the require- ment of the law, the Commissioner shall require the proper foun- dations of a type satisfactory to him and sufficient to support the proposed building.
Section 8. Foundation and underpinning walls for one and two story dwellings shall be at least eight (8") thick, if of concrete, concrete blocks or brick when not over seven feet (7') below finished grade. When stone masonry is used the thickness shall be twenty inches (20") up to finished grade and not less than twelve inches (12") from finished grade to the sill.
Section 9. Where cement blocks are used, all joints must be filled and jointed outside as well as inside. Mortar for all masonry shall be no poorer than one part Portland cement, one-quarter (1/4) part lime putty, and three parts sand; for footings and poured concrete, no poorer than one part Portland cement, three (3) parts sand, and five (5) parts coarse aggregate not exceeding one and
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one half inches (11/2"). All material shall meet the commissioner's approval, be thoroughly mixed and properly placed and tamped.
Section 10. Posts, piers or lally columns supporting buildings shall not be more than eight feet (8') apart on centers, seven feet (7') where a 6" x 6" girder is used; six feet (6') apart where a 4" x 6" girder is used. (See Girders, under Section 4 of Article 4). Lally columns, or red cedar posts not less than six inches (6") in diameter at the small end may be used for interior supports.
On all piers and bearing points of girders the voids must be filled at least two blocks down.
Section 11. All loam and subsoil under dwellings must be removed, and at least twenty inches (20") of space must be left between the remaining earth and the under side of the first floor timbers. Under all buildings with continuous foundations, there must be at least two (2) screened openings for cross draft ventila- tion and not less than two hundred and forty (240) square inches per opening.
Section 12. Chimneys: No tile or metal chimneys shall be allowed. All masonry chimneys shall rest on a concrete footing not less than eight inches (8") thick and at least eight inches (8") wider both ways of the chimney and except those with solid brick walls eight inches (8") or more thick shall be lined throughout with vitreous flue lining, and shall be topped at least two feet six inches (2'6") above the highest point of contact with the roof and shall project at least one inch (1") above any ridge within ten feet (10'). No chimney shall be supported on wood. No wood closer than one inch (1") to any chimney. Space between chimneys and floor joists to be firestopped. Every smoke pipe hole in a chimney shall be provided with a metal thimble. Masonry walls at the back and sides of every fireplace shall be at least eight inches (S") thick if of brick and twelve inches (12") thick if of stone. All fireplaces shall have dampers. Hearths shall extend at least sixteen inches (16") in front of fireplace openings, and at least eight inches (8") wider than the firplace opening. Wood centers under fireplace and hearth arches shall be removed before finishing thereunder. No wood work shall be within five inches (5") of any smoke pipe. No wooden studding, furring, lathing, or plugging shall be placed against any chimney or in joints thereof. Wooden construction shall either be set away from the chimney or the plast- ering shall be directly on the masonry or on metal lathing or on incombustible furring material. Wood furring strips placed around chimneys to support base or other trim shall be insulated from the
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masonry by asbestos paper at least one-sixteenth (1/16") thick. In no case shall a chimney be built out of plumb unless the same be attached to a brick wall, or approved by building commissioner.
Section 13. Electrical Wiring. All electrical installations shall be in accordance with the Massachusetts Electric Code and amendments thereto, also Requirements of the Town of Scituate, and no installation of electrical equipment shall be made except in conformity thereto.
(a) Permits. No person shall install wires, conduits, appara- tus, fixtures, or appliances for carrying or using electricity for heat, light or power, within, or connected to any building, without first obtaining a permit, in writing, from the Inspector of Wires.
Application for permit must be made to the Wire Inspector, who will issue permits, on any working day, between the hours of eight and nine A.M., at the Town Hall, Scituate Center. Temporary service will require the filing of an application and issuance of a permit.
(b) Inspection and Certificates. Upon completion of the work which has been authorized by the issuance of a permit, it shall be the duty of the person, firm, or corporation installing the same to notify the Inspector of Wires, who shall inspect the installa- tion, as soon as practicable.
Certificate of approval will be issued to the owner if requested.
Connection of the Public Service Company's lines shall require a written notice of approval.
All wiring installed, due to remodeling or the new construction of a building, for which a building permit has been issued, must have the approval stamp for wiring, on the Building Permit, in the space provided, before such wiring is covered over and concealed from view.
(c) Penalties. Whoever violates this By-Law shall be subject to a fine of not more than twenty dollars ($20).
Section 14. All work on construction of any kind not other- wise specifically covered shall be performed with the best practice of the particular trades involved or in accordance with the accepted standards of the American Institute of Architects.
ARTICLE IV. Materials
Section 1. All lumber sizes given herein are nominal dimen- sion.
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Section 2. All material shall be of such quality for the purpose for which they are to be used as to insure in the judgment of the Inspector of Buildings, ample safety and security to life and limb and the neighboring property. The Inspector of Buildings shall have the power to reject all materials which in his opinion are unsuitable and may require tests to be made by the architect, builder or owner to determine the strength of the structural mate- rials before or after they are incorporated in a building and may require certified copies of results of tests made elsewhere from the architect, builder or owner or other interested persons. Owners shall furnish expert advice and tests at their own expense.
Section 3. Second hand structural material shall not be used without the approval of the Inspector of Buildings. All timbers shall be of good sound material of sufficient strength for purpose intended, and free from imperfections whereby the strength may be impaired.
Section 4. (a) Residences.
SILLS: shall not be less than 4" x 6" and must be on edge unless resting upon a continuous foundation. Box sills may be used when approved by the Building Commissioner, and the bottom members must not be less than 2" x 8".
GIRDERS: shall not be less than 6" x 8" where they carry floor timbers twelve (12' or longer; 6" x 6" where floor timbers are eight (8') up to twelve (12') and shall be supported eight (8') on centers for one story, seven feet (7') for one and one half and two stories, and 4'6" on edge where floor timbers are less than eight feet (8') and shall be joined only over a support. Eastern pine shall not be used for girders.
FLOOR JOISTS: 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 parti- tions running parallel to them shall be doubled in frame construc- tion 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 inches (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" x 4" set 16" on centers. Balloon frame shall not be used on walls more
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than 14' high, measured from the sill. Ballon frame shall have ledger boards not less than 1" x 6" set into the studs, and shall be thoroughly fire-stopped at each floor level. Studing of non-bear- ing partitions shall rest on a shoe not less than 2" thick. Corner posts shall be not less than 4" x 6" 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 joists headers more than two and one-half feet (21/2') long shall be doubled and spiked together, or be at least four inches (4") in thickness. All joists supporting headers shall be doubled and spiked or be at least four inches in thickness.
LUMBER SIZE
MAXIMUM CLEAR SPAN (FLOOR JOISTS)
Merchantable No. 1 Lumber
Nominal
Actual
Spacing Center to Center Inches
Douglas Fir Coast Region & Inland Emp. Ft. In.
West Coast Hemlock
Ft. In.
Eastern Hemlock- Spruce Ft.
In.
2"x6"
15/8x55/8
12
9
8
9
2
8
8
16
8
8
8
2
7
8
2"x8"
15/8×71/2
12
13
8
13
2
12
8
16
12
8
12
2
11
8
2"x10"
15/8×91/2
12
17
2
16
8
16
2
16
15
8
15
2
14
8
2"x12"
15/8x111/2
12
19
8
19
2
18
8
16
17
8
17
2
16
8
RAFTERS: (Except Platforms and porches) . Rafters shall be as follows: Where the pitch is less than 4" to the foot, 2" x 4" up to 4' horizontal span, 2" x 5" up to 6' horizontal span, 2" x 6" up to 8' horizontal span, 2" x 8" 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" x 4" up to 6' horizontal span, 2" x 5" up to 9' horizontal span, 2" x 6" up to 12' horizontal span, shall be placed not more than 24" on centers. 2" x 6" up to 15' horizontal span and 2'' x 8" up to 18' horizontal span shall be spaced not more than 16" on centers.
(b) All exterior walls and roofs shall be sheathed with sheath- ing not less than eleven sixteenths (11/16") thick, or plywood not less than one half inch (1/2") thick.
(c) Platforms and Piazzas: Floor joists on porches or plat- forms shall be not less than 2" x 6" on spans up to 8'. Girders of 4"x 6", laid on edge, shall be used where the span is more than 8'.
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Floor timbers may be framed flush. Ends of joists shall not be notched more than one-fourth of their depth; the same being well spiked to said girders, and a 1" x 2" must be well nailed to the girder flush with the under side, for floor timber to rest upon.
(d) Garages: Garages allowed in a Zone A area may use 2" x 4" sills where they rest upon continuous foundations, other- wise they must be 4" x 6" laid on edge. Studding for outside walls shall be at least 2" x 4" and not more than 24" on centers.
(e) Garages within a cellar basement or body of a dwelling, may be of wood frame; ceilings and walls must be covered with expanded metal lath and cement plaster or perforated gypsum lath and cement plaster. Any door leading from garage to cellar, base- ment or any part of dwelling must be covered on garage side with tin and have a self closing device. These rules shall apply to gar- ages that are connected with breezeways of less than five feet (5') to dwellings.
ARTICLE V.
Setback: Setback of any building shall be 30' from the street line where no building line is already established. No building, residential 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 parties have been notified.
ARTICLE VI.
Section 1. No studding for any part of the outside walls of any building shall be less than 2" x 4", except for small storage buildings with walls not over 7' in height. Studding for such wall may be 2" x 3" 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.
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Section 5. No opening shall be made in a wall separating a store either from a habitation unless protected by fire-doors, ap- proved by the Inspector of Buildings.
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 whatsover 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 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 rea- sonably fire safe.
Section 2. All stud walls, partitions, furring and spaces be- tween joists where they rest on wall 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 spaces full depth of joists, except that in one story or
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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 3. No fire stopping shall be concealed from view until authorized by the Commissioner.
Section 4. Party walls shall be of masonry or other improved incombustible materials. Ceilings in stores not constructed of fire- resisting materials shall be plastered on metal lath.
Section 5. 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 square feet in area in any one elevation, providing that such openings will be equipped with sash, shutters, or doors that will close the openings and can be closed from outside.
Section 6. 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 Commissioner.
(c) Defective or second hand pipe or fitting shall not be used unless such materials meet the requirements of new pipe and fittings. 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.
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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 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. in put and in no case, shall this section be less than three inches in diameter.
Section 7. 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 8. 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 9. 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 10. No hot air, hot water or steam heating furnace shall be located nearer than 18" in any direction to combustible materials or construction.
Section 11. 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 12. Every roof hereafter placed on a building shall be covered with an approved fire resisting roofing. Where it is desired to use wood shingles they shall be vertical grain or edge grain wooden shingle. Five shingles measured at the butts shall be in accordance with American Lumber Standards established in simplified Practice Recommendation R-16-29 of the U. S. Depart- ment of Commerce. Such shingles shall be firmly nailed to roof deck with rust resistive nails.
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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 between 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 southerly line of Morton Lane, thence running southeasterly by the south- erly 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 running in a general southeasterly direction to the northeasterly corner of the Welch Company Dock, thence running in a general southerly direc- tion by the outer face of said Dock to land of the Town of Scitu- uate and marked by a Bulkhead, thence running in a general south- erly 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, northerly and north- easterly by the northerly line of Edward Foster Road to a point in the southeasterly line of Front Street, thence running in a north- easterly direction by said southeasterly line of Front Street to the centerline of Satuit Brook and thence running northwesterly across Front Street and by said centerline of Satuit Brook to the point of beginning.
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.
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(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 con- struction.
(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. DOUBLFUL 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 limitations, 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 dwelling not exceeding two stories in height and separated by at least eight feet from lot line of adjoining property.
(b) Gasoline service stations, parking lot offices, real estate offices or similar business structures, of unprotected metal construc- tion, 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
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feet in area, 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 nor more than 8 feet in height nor more than 100 square feet in area.
(e) Greenhouses not more than 15 feet in height erected on the same lot with and accessory to a dwelling or a store.
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