New Fire Safety Requirements Approved to Protect Massachusetts Residents
STOW, Mass. — Governor Maura Healey announced the approval of new statewide fire safety requirements to help prevent future tragedies and strengthen protections for Massachusetts residents following the deadly Gabriel House fire in Fall River last year.
The new standards will require annual checks for recalled fire sprinkler heads, prompt replacement of recalled equipment and additional safety measures when needed to protect residents.
The Massachusetts Board of Fire Prevention Regulations voted today to include the new requirements in the next edition of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code, expected early next year. The changes were proposed by Fall River Fire Captain Joshua Hetzler following the Gabriel House tragedy, which claimed 10 lives and required the evacuation of more than 50 other residents.
"The Gabriel House fire was a heartbreaking tragedy that devastated families and the Fall River community. We owe it to those families to do everything we can to prevent something like this from happening again," said Governor Maura Healey. "That's why we've taken action to strengthen fire safety and emergency preparedness at assisted living residences, and these new requirements will help protect even more people across Massachusetts. I'm grateful to the Fall River firefighters who brought these recommendations forward and to the Board for taking action. We will continue working to strengthen safety, prevent future tragedies and protect our residents."
Under the updated Fire Code, sprinkler systems will be required to undergo annual checks to identify any recalled sprinkler heads. Property owners must notify their local fire department when recalled equipment is identified and ensure it is promptly replaced. Local fire departments will also be able to require additional fire protection measures until the recalled equipment has been replaced.
"The Gabriel House residents and their families have not left our thoughts in the 15 months since that tragic night in 2025," said State Fire Marshal Jon M. Davine, who sits on the BFPR and voted to include the sprinkler provisions. "Nothing can fill the void left by their loved ones, but I hope this makes clear to them that we are committed to saving other families from enduring the same heartbreak."
In addition to the new sprinkler safety requirements, the Board approved several other updates to the statewide Fire Code, including:
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Stronger Fire Prevention: Prohibiting welding, grinding and other hot work activities when winds exceed 15 miles per hour and requiring workers to renew their hot work safety training every three years.
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Simplified Permitting and Certification: Consolidating permitting and certification requirements to make them easier for businesses, property owners and fire safety professionals to understand and follow.
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Updated Safety Standards: Bringing Massachusetts' Fire Code into closer alignment with national standards while maintaining state-specific fire safety protections.
The Board of Fire Prevention Regulations was established to create a statewide fire code following the devastating 1942 fire at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub in Boston, which claimed 492 lives. Its members are appointed by the Governor and represent the fire service and fire prevention; experts in electrical, mechanical, chemical, and blasting systems; fire and life safety inspection officials; and the public.
