How H2586 changes current law

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill changes the requirements for the installation of automatic sprinklers in certain buildings constructed before 1975 by establishing a compliance schedule.

• Section 26A ½ of Chapter 148

  provided, further, that sprinklers shall not be required to be installed in buildings where construction has commenced prior to January first, nineteen hundred and seventy-five and which have been submitted to the provisions of chapter one hundred and eighty-three A; → any building where construction has commenced prior to January 1, 1975 and which have been submitted to the provisions of chapter 183A shall comply with the following schedule for the installation of automatic sprinklers: one-third of the gross square footage of the building or structure shall be equipped with automatic sprinklers by March 30, 2028; two-thirds of the gross square footage of the building or structure shall be equipped with automatic sprinklers by March 30, 2031; and the entire gross square footage of the building or structure shall be equipped with automatic sprinklers by March 30, 2035; provided, however, that the owner of said building or structure may apply to the board of appeals of the fire safety commission for an extension or a waiver of the provisions of this section as provided for in section 201 of chapter 6. Any building or structure subject to the provisions of this section shall have the option of complying with the following schedule: the entire gross square footage of the building or structure shall be equipped with automatic sprinklers by March 30, 2031; provided, however, that under said option the owner of said building or structure shall be deemed to have waived his right to any such extension of time.

  The change mandates a specific schedule for installing automatic sprinklers in buildings built before 1975, replacing the previous exemption.