USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1942 > Part 5
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Section 3. Dwellings Not More Than Three Stories and Twenty Feet Wide-For dwellings not over three stories high with floors span- ning not more than twenty feet, all exterior walls shall be not less than twelve inches thick for a basement and eight inches thick above the basement, and all party, fire, and bearing walls shall be not less than twelve inches thick. In case any part of such building is adapted for any use other than inhabitation, all walls surrounding that part of the building must be twelve inches thick.
Section 4. All Other Dwellings, etc .- For all other residences and for hotels, clubs and hospitals, all exterior party, fire and bearing walls above the foundations shall have the following minimum thickness in inches :
Stories
Basement 1
2
3
1 Story building
12
12
2 Story building
12
12
12
3 Story building
16
16
12
12
Section 5. Other Buildings-For all other buildings, exterior, party, fire and bearing walls above foundations shall have the following min- imum thickness in inches :
Stories
Basement
1
2
3
1 Story building (a)
12
12
2 Story building
16
16
12
3 Story building
16
16
16
12
(a) In case the floor area is less than five hundred square feet the wall thickness may be eight inches, if of brick.
Provided, however, that if any part of any building is lower than the re t, the lower part may have walls of thickness required for a building of height equal to lower part.
Section 6. Foundation Walls-The foundation wall shall be at least four inches thicker than the required thickness for the wall of the first story. The thickness herein given shall apply to all masonry walls
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unless they are reinforced by a frame or skeleton of steel, or rein- forced concrete.
Section 7. Mezzanine Floor or Balcony-For the purpose of this by-law any balcony or mezzanine floor of more than ten feet span shall be considered as forming a story in fixing the thickness of walls which support it.
Section 8. Ashlar-In reckoning the thickness of walls, ashlar shall not be considered unless the walls are at least sixteen inches thick and the ashlar is at least eight inches thick, or unless alternating courses are at least four and eight inches to allow bonding with the backing. Ashlar shall be held by metal clamps to the backing or be properly bonded to the same.
Section 9. Veneered Walls-Masonry veneer applied to the walls of frame structures shall rest directly on the masonry foundation of the structure and shall be not less than 33/4 inches thick. It shall be securely attached to the frame structure at intervals of not more than 15 inches vertically and 24 inches horizontally by approved ties of in- corrodible material. Flashing shall be applied wherever necessary to prevent moisture from penetrating the facing.
DIVISION NO. 9-FIRE PROTECTION
Section 1. Fireproofing-All structural metal supporting or form- ing part of the frame, floors, roof or columns of any first-class building except as otherwise exempted by this by-law, shall be protected against the effect of heat.
No masonry wall or pier shall be carried by wood.
All steel work carrying masonry shall be fireproofed except as noted below.
Protection may consist of :
(a) Concrete case in forms and in direct contact with the struc- tural members reinforced in such a manner as to carry out the intent of the above.
(b) Terra cotta clamped in place and set in mortar.
(c) Brick work set in cement mortar.
(d) Any other material that will resist the action of flames and a heat of 1700º Fahrenheit.
Section 2. Thickness of Fireproofing-On columns carrying mas- onry-11/2" against edges of flanges ; 4" elsewhere.
On columns carrying only floors or roofs or both - 11/2" against edges of flanges; 3" elsewhere.
Isolated columns on exterior of building the thickness of protec- tion may be reduced to one inch when the same is covered with an outer shell of cast iron and concrete, except that for isolated columns on the exterior of one story buildings fire protection may be omitted.
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On beams and girders carrying masonry-2". Trusses carrying masonry-3".
On beams and girders carrying floors or roofs or both-1" on top; 11/2" elsewhere. Trusses carrying floors or roofs or both-3".
On beams, deeper than 15" or having a flange width of more than 71/2"-1" on top; 2" elsewhere.
On minor construction such as lugs, brackets, braces, etc .- 3/4" be- yond tip of bolts or rivets.
On reinforced concrete columns-11/2" outside vertical reinforce- ment.
Reinforcement in slabs shall be protected by at least 3/4" concrete.
Reinforcement in girders, beams, columns and walls shall have at least 11/2" covering.
Concrete Footings and Walls-Reinforcement in concrete footings to have 3" protection all around, and in walls against earth a protection of 2" cover of concrete.
Plaster on metal lath shall not be considered as a fire protection to steel or iron structural members except that where suspended ceilings of metal lath and plaster leave not less than one inch of air space against the protective covering of such structural member, the protec- tive covering may be one inch in thickness. When a suspended ceiling is used for fire protection it shall be of metal lath and plaster with hanging rods, etc., of metal.
The above requirements as to fire protection shall not apply in the following cases :
(a) Structural steel in second and third class buildings, in any case in which wood without fire protection would be permissible under this by-ław.
(b) Structural metal in spaces entirely enclosed and when pro- tected against fire on the outer side.
(c) Lintels under stone or brick unless over ten feet span.
(d) Building built in whole or in part of a better class of construc- tion than is required by this by-law shall have such protection as would be required in a building of the type that would be allowed.
(e) Metal work in a non-bearing partition, and for furrings and metal to support finish or equipment for metal of stair construction, and suspension rods for galleries.
(f) Metal other than columns carrying no loads other than ceilings or suspended balconies not over eight feet wide.
(g) Roof beams, roof girders and roof trusses unless carrying masonry.
Section 3. Firestopping-(a) Where floor beams rest on partition caps or on girders, wall girts or wooden sills, fill in between such beams,
53
from the caps, girders, girts or sills to four inches above lining floor above, solid with brick and mortar or other fireproof material.
(b) In brick buildings, the space between the furring on the out- side walls, or brick partitions shall be filled flush with mortar for a space of five inches in width above and below the floor beams of each story.
(c) Where basement or other flights of stairs are enclosed by par- titions of brick or wood, the space between the studs or wall furring must be so fire-stopped with brick or mortar as to effectually prevent any fire from passing up between such studs or furring back of the stair stringers.
(d) All flights of stairs between two floors must have a smoke stop built between the stringers and properly constructed.
Section 4. Stores and Dwellings Built in Blocks-Every second or third class building, composed of two or more sections, which may be occupied for store or dwelling purposes, shall have the partitions or walls separating such sections laterally, constructed of incombustible material from the basement floor to the underside of the roof boarding.
Section 5. Stairway and Chimney Firestopping-Spaces between stringers of stairs and joists of landings, unless stairs. are unceiled or of incombustible materials shall be firestopped with masonry at least once in each flight of stairs.
All spaces around chimneys shall be firestopped with plaster, metal lath and plaster or masonry.
Section 6. Firestopping-How Applied-Firestopping shall com- pletely fill all openings where it is applied; all chases for pipes shall be firestopped adjacent to other required firestopping and by the same materials except that metal lath and plaster may be used.
Section 7. Rat-proofing-No building operations shall be permitted which will create unnecessary permanent spaces where rats will find refuge and breed.
Section 8. Replacing and Repairing Firestopping-Any alteration of any kind requiring the cutting of any firestopping shall have the firestopping replaced or repaired in a manner such as will carry out the intent of this by-law.
Section 9. Timbers in Second Class Buildings -- The ends of all wooden floor or roof timbers in second class buildings shall enter the wall at least four inches and the end of all such beams shall be so shaped or arranged that in case of fire they may fall without injury to the wall.
Section 10. Furnace and Smoke Pipes-All ceilings immediately over a furnace and for three feet on each side thereof, and all ceilings over indirect radiators, shall, except under fireproof floors, be metal lathed and plastered.
54
All vent and smoke pipes for furnaces and heaters, hereafter in- stalled, shall be placed not nearer than twelve inches to any wood, lath and plaster, wallboard, or board partition, ceiling or woodwork, unless such partition, ceiling or wood-work is protected by a metal shield sus- pended two inches or more from the surface to be protected. No smoke pipe from any heating or cooking apparatus shall be run through any enclosed or concealed space unless the same shall have been approved by the Inspector.
Where such pipes pass through a lath and plaster or board par- tition, they shall be protected by ventilated metal collars at least three inches larger in diameter than the pipe. Where such pipes enter the chimney, the opening into the same shall be protected by a Boston type safety collar built at least four inches into the brickwork of the chim- ney. No such pipes shall pass through the roof or exterior wall of a building.
No gas stove or gas water heater shall be used until a suitable flue for the same shall have been installed in the building. If no brick chim- ney can be entered a cast iron pipe or screw pipe may be used if not less than four inches internal diameter and extended through the roof. A drip fitting shall be used on the end of the line extended into the cellar of not less than one and one-quarter inch pipe size with cap fitted on lower end. Changes in direction of the line shall not exceed forty-five degrees. Vent pipes to gas stoves shall not be placed nearer than three inches from any woodwork or lath and plaster partition. Where it should prove necessary to go nearer to woodwork or lath and plaster partitions than above specified a shield of incombustible ma- terial may be used with the approval of the Building Inspector.
Section 11. Register Boxes-All hot air register boxes in the floors or partitions of building shall be set in soapstone or equally fireproof borders and shall be made of tin plate or galvanized iron and shall have pipes and boxes properly fitted to the borders. If indirect hot water or steam heat is used, the Building Inspector may modify or dispense with the foregoing requirements.
Section 12. Hot Air Pipes-Hot air pipes in floors between joists shall be covered with incombustible material and not be nearer than one inch to any woodwork. There shall be a metal firestop in such horizontal run over ten feet long filling entire space between joists, ceiling, under-floor and hot air pipe.
Hot air pipes in partitions of new buildings or in such alterations as require new lathing and plastering shall be at least one inch from any woodwork. This distance may be reduced if metal lath and plaster is used over the space in which the pipe is located.
In partitions of existing buildings a double pipe must be used with at least three-quarters of an inch air space between pipes or the hot
5.5
air pipe must be well covered with incombustible material. No pipes with any damage to the covering occurring before or during installa- tion will be accepted until thoroughly repaired to the satisfaction of the Building Inspector.
Section 13. Special Cases-Any building used or to be used for any purpose which creates a fire hazard, such as boiling fat, painting, oil storage, etc., shall have the approval of the Chief of the Fire De- partment before the Building Inspector issues the permit.
Section 14. Shingled Roofs-Asphalt shingles shall be of standard quality. Wood shingles shall not be used for roof covering on any building over eight feet in height or over one hundred feet in area. Existing wood shingled roofs may be repaired with wood shingles when said repair is less than one-fourth of the roof surface. No asphalt shingles shall be applied over any existing wood shingles.
Section 15. Sprinklers-In any building where the fire hazard is increased to excess by the nature of the occupancy the Chief of the Fire Department may order sprinklers installed. Upon failure to com- ply with such orders the Building Inspector, upon notice from the Chief of the Fire Department shall forthwith post on the building a notice to the public warning of said fire hazard.
Section 16. Floor Areas-The area between exterior walls or fire walls in buildings other than dwellings shall not exceed the following : First Class Building 10,000 sq. ft.
Second Class Building 6,000 sq. ft.
Third Class Building
2,500 sq. ft.
In a building fully equipped with a standard system of automatic sprinklers approved by the Inspector, the above areas may be increased one hundred per cent in first class buildings and fifty per cent in other buildings.
Section 17. Openings for Fire Fightings-In every store a clear opening covered with 34" plate glass 10" x 10'" shall be provided be- tween first floor and basement. This opening is to be centrally located and in a position which will not be covered by counters or other fix- tures.
If called for by the Chief of the Fire Department, additional open- ings may be required for stores having an area exceeding 500 square feet or stores with divided basements.
Section 18. Height Limitations
(a) First Class Buildings-The limit of height of first class build- ings is forty feet, but in no case shall they exceed in height twice the width of the widest street, way, or place, on which they are located.
(b) Second Class Buildings-The limit of height of second class buildings is forty feet, but in no case shall they exceed in height twice
54
the width of the widest street, way or place on which they are located.
(c) Third Class Buildings-The limit of height of third class build- ings is thirty-five feet, but in no case shall they exceed in height twice the distance from their front to the middle of the street, way or place on which they are located.
(d) Projections Above Height Limits-The provisions of the above paragraphs of this section do not apply to chimneys, flag poles, weather vanes, soil and exhaust pipes, pent houses, ventilators, railings, para- pets, cornices, or similar minor structures, which may exceed the heights specified.
Section 19. Exceptions-The Building Inspector, on written ap- proval of the Board of Selectmen, may issue a permit for the erection of a church steeple, belfry, dome, cupola, or tower, or for a grain ele- vator, coal pocket, or gas holder exceeding the limits specified above.
Section 20. Places of Assembly-No building hereafter erected or altered to be used as a theatre, jail, school, hospital, asylum or institu- tion for the care or treatment of persons or halls seating more than one hundred persons, or the height of which exceeds twenty-five feet to the ceiling of the upper story, shall be of third class construction.
DIVISION NO. 10-REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL BUILDINGS
Section 1. Permits-No building, structure or foundation shall be constructed or altered without a permit and such work shall be done in accordance with drawings or descriptions bearing the approval of the Building Inspector.
Section 2. Foundations below Frost-Foundations of all buildings shall go below frost line, or not less than 4'-0" below finished grade.
Section 3. Supports, Shoring and Bracing - Every structure in process of construction, alteration, repair or removal, and every neigh- boring structure or portion thereof affected by such process or by any excavation, shall be sufficiently supported during such process.
The Building Inspector may take such measures as the public safety requires to carry these into effect.
Section 4. Chimneys, Height Above Roof-Every chimney flue shall be carried to a height sufficient to protect adjoining buildings from fire and smoke and shall extend at least four feet above the high- est point of contact with the roof. Provided: that in no case is it re- quired that the chimney be extended more than two feet higher than the highest point of the roof.
Section 5. Access to Roof-Every permanent building more than two stories in height, having a flat roof, shall have permanent means of access to the roof from the inside by an opening not less than 2' 0" x 3' 0" with stairs or a fixed step ladder.
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Section 6. Egress Required-Every building shall have, with refer- ence to its height, condition, construction, surroundings, character of occupation, and number of occupants, reasonable means of egress in case of fire, satisfactory to the Building Inspector, except that in all factories or workshops hereafter built or altered where ten or more persons are employed above the second story, one exit shall consist of a fireproof stairway enclosed in incombustible material. A fire escape may be considered as one means of egress for the portions of the build- ing which it serves.
Every building over two and one-half stories in height shall have one stairway enclosed in an incombustible shaft. Stud partitions, fire- stopped full height with brick, terra cotta, or concrete, and covered with metal lath and plaster on the stair side, will be construed as sat- isfactory unless the occupancy is such as in the opinion of the Build- ing Inspector to require greater protection from fire.
Section 7. Protection from Frost-Water pipes in every building shall be properly protected from frost.
Section 8. Chimneys-All chimneys of masonry construction shall have walls at least eight inches thick, or be constructed of fear inch brick walls with fire clay flue lining, laid in mortar from the bottom to two inches above the top. Steel or cement stacks shall be permissible under such conditions as the Building Inspector shall prescribe. Every chimney not attached to a brick wall shall be built so that the center of gravity shall be at least six inches inside the chimney walls at the base unless supported by steel.
Chimneys not starting from the foundation walls shall rest upon a continuous support of metal or masonry extending to the ground.
Adequate iron mantel bars or masonry' arches shall be used over all fireplace or grate openings. The jambs and backs of all fireplace, range or grate openings shall be at least eight inches thick. Hearths of fireplaces shall be laid on brick or other trimmer arches, or upon bars of iron supporting a four-inch bed of masonry.
Open fireplaces, set-grates, set-ranges, set-kettles and the like shall have fireproof foundations, with fireproof hearth extending not less than sixteen inches from the grate or ash-pit. No masonry structure to con- tain fire shall be allowed on a wooden floor in any building.
A cleanout door or doors shall be provided at the lowest point of all chimney flues.
All wood forms for under hearths shall be removed after masonry has set.
Section 9. Notice of Unsafe Chimneys-If any chimney, flue or heating apparatus shall be found by the Inspector to be unsafe, he shall at once notify in writing, the owner, agent or other party having an in-
58
terest in said premises, who, upon receiving said notice, shall make the same safe.
Section 10. Water-closet Enclosure-Every enclosure containing one or more water-closets shall be provided with adequate ventilation to the outer air by window or by suitable shaft or duct.
Section 11. Floor Ties-Every floor in second class buildings shall have its beams tied to the walls and to each other with wrought iron straps or anchors at least three-eighths of an inch thick by one and one-half inches wide and not less than eighteen inches long, so as to form continuous ties across the building not more than ten feet apart. Walls running parallel or nearly parallel with floor beams shall be prop- erly tied once in ten feet to the floor beams by iron straps or anchors of the size above specified.
Section 12. Wooden Headers and Trimmers - Every wooden header or trimmer more than four feet long carrying a floor load of more than seventy pounds per square foot, shall, at connections with other beams, be framed or hung in stirrup irons.
DIVISION NO. 11-REQUIREMENTS FOR WOODEN BUILDINGS Section 1. Foundations-
If of brick-not less than twelve inches thick.
If of solid concrete-not less than ten inches thick, provided: that for one story wooden dwellings, with basement not over 10' 0" in height the walls not exceeding 35 feet in length need not exceed 8 inches in thickness.
If of hollow block construction-not less than twelve inches thick.
If of rubble laid in mortar not less than sixteen inches thick.
Mortar not to be poorer than one part cement, one part lime, and eight parts sand, measured by volume.
The foundation wall shall rest on a footing course at least twenty- four inches wide and one foot thick if required by the character of the soil. Before starting any masonry, the Building Inspector must be notified and his approval must be given.
Section 2. Underpinning-Every wooden building hereafter erected or enlarged the sills of which do not rest directly upon the foundation as above described but on an underpinning, shall have such under- pinning made of brick, stone or concrete, or concrete blocks and the underpinning shall be at least eight inches thick, except where stone is used the underpinning shall be at least sixteen inches thick.
Section 3. Framing-All parts to be of sufficient strength for its purpose.
For buildings having more than 250 square feet in area, posts, sills and girts shall not be less than 4" x 6". Studs shall not be more than
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sixteen inches on centers for buildings more than one story high, or twenty inches for a one-story building.
Bearing partitions to have studs not less than 2" x 4", spaced not over sixteen inches on centers, and are to be properly bridged.
All angles between partitions or between partitions and walls to be locked strongly, giving what is known as "solid corners."
All posts shall be properly braced in each story with no less than two by four inch studding.
When ledger boards are used the wall space of ledger boards shall be tightly filled with at least two-inch furring cut in between studs.
All posts and girts shall be properly mortised, tenoned and pinned in each story. When ledger boards are used they shall be at least 3/4" by six inches and be gained full size into post and studs. All other parts of frame to be nailed or pinned together.
Ledger board shall not be used where there is no exterior wall boarding; wall girts shall be framed to posts and pinned.
Ledger boards shall not be used except for carrying attic floors.
Under main partitions the girders shall not be less than six by eight inches, hard pine or its équivalent. Under all cross partitions there shall be double joists or their equivalent. Headers and timbers of all openings more than four feet square in the floors shall be floor joists doubled or their equivalent.
Beams carrying main or cross partitions in first story shall be supported on stone, brick, or concrete piers, or inspected and labeled filled iron or steel posts or columns not more than eight feet apart.
Section 4. Attic Floor Timbers-Same as specified below for other floors.
Section 5. Roof Rafters-Roof rafters in buildings which are twenty to thirty feet wide and have pitched roofs, shall not be less than two by six inches, twenty inches on centers and in buildings over thirty feet wide with pitched roofs, rafters shall measure not less than two by eight inches, twenty inches on centers.
Collar ties to be used when necessary.
Section 6. Flat Roofs-Flat roofs shall be timbered same as floors.
Section 7. Cross Partitions-All cross partitions shall rest on a wood shoe or sole, two inches thick by the width of the studding used in the partition.
Section 8. Bridging-All floor and flat roof timbers shall have one row of bridging where span is from seven to ten feet and two rows of bridging where span is over ten feet. Bridging stock shall be not less than one by three inches. Each end of bridging to be well nailed with at least two nails. Bridging which splits when nailed is to be removed, as not fulfilling the intent of this by-law. Metal bridging may be used.
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Section 9. Floor timbers in wooden buildings, used for dwellings when of good sound stock set sixteen inches on centers, shall be of the following sizes or their equivalents :
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