In this code the following terms shall have
the meanings respectively assigned to them:
BASEMENT
The ground floor, beneath the principal story, but which
in the average is at least 1/2 below the mean grade of the adjoining
ground.
DWELLING
A building used, or constructed, or adapted [to] be used,
for human habitation.
EXTERNAL WALL
Every outer wall or vertical enclosure of any building other
than a party wall, and shall include piazzas, bay windows, and porches
and other projections.
FOUNDATION
That part of a building below grade utilized for the support
of walls, columns, machinery or equipment.
HALF-STORY or ATTIC
A story included in the roof of which the floor area of the
rooms is not more than 75% of the area of the ground floor.
HEIGHT OF A BUILDING
The vertical distance of the highest point of the roof above
the mean grade of the sidewalks of all the streets upon which it abuts,
and if it does not abut on a street above the mean grade of the ground
adjoining the building.
HEIGHT OF WALL
The height from the mean grade of the sidewalk or adjoining
ground to the highest point of the wall.
PARTY WALL
A wall that separates two or more buildings and is used or
adapted for the use of more than one building.
PUBLIC BUILDING
A building used or constructed or adapted to be used in whole
or in part as a church, school, hospital, theater, hotel or place
of public assemblage.
REPAIRS
The removal of any part of a building, or its fixtures or
appurtenances, and not made, in the opinion of the Building Commissioner,
for the purpose of converting the building, in whole or in part, into
a new building.
[Amended 5-2-1989 STM by Art. 6]
SOLID WALL
A wall without openings of any kind therein.
UNDERPINNING
The brick, stone or concrete wall above the foundation to
the under side of sill.
WOODEN OR FRAME BUILDING
Any building of which an external wall is constructed wholly
or partly of wood. Wood frames covered with metal shall be deemed
to be wood structures.
[Amended 5-2-1989 STM by Art. 6]
A. No building hereafter erected, altered, added to or
repaired, that is to be finished in whole or in part, shall be lathed,
plastered and sheathed, until the owner or builder shall have notified
the Building Commissioner and shall have received from said Commissioner
a notice in writing that the work is satisfactory.
B. The Building Commissioner on receipt of a notice from
the owner or builder that any building or alterations, additions or
repairs to any building are ready for inspection shall as soon as
possible inspect the premises, but shall not accept the building until
all the requirements of this code have been complied with, and no
building shall be occupied until approved by the Commissioner.
C. The Commissioner shall also require that all permanent
piers or columns needed under girders, trimmers, etc., shall be in
place before he accepts the building.
Concrete for bearing walls and piers shall be
at least of the following proportions by volume: one part Portland
cement, three parts clean, sharp sand, and five parts aggregate, free
from loam, organic matter or other deleterious substances. Other mixtures
of fine and coarse aggregate giving equivalent strength and density
are permitted.
Concrete blocks used for underpinnings or exterior
walls shall have a composition not leaner than one part of Portland
cement to seven parts of fine and coarse aggregate combined.
Buildings more than one story in height, and
with a floor area of over 500 square feet, that do not rest on foundation
walls, shall be supported on suitably driven piles or piers of hard
brick, stone or concrete; corner piers shall be not less than 12 inches
square, and intermediate piers not less than eight inches square.
Wooden posts extending into the ground shall not be used for the support
of buildings where such buildings are built on a ledge. All footings
of piers shall be started at least three feet six inches below the
surface of the ground exposed to frost.
Building floors shall be supported in cellars and basements as required in §
30-28 by suitable brick or concrete piers or cement-filled iron columns on proper footings. Stone piers shall not be used for the support of girders or walls in cellars or basements. Porches and piazzas shall be supported by concrete, brick, stone piers, or approved concrete blocks. Stone piers shall be at least 12 inches square, and the unsupported height of brick or concrete piers either in basements or under piazzas shall not exceed 10 times their least dimension.
All dwellings over one story in height shall
have plates not less than four by four inches, or the equivalent.
All roof rafters are to be proportioned by the following table:
A. No studding for any part of the outside walls of any
building over one story in height shall be less than two by four inches
and 16 inches on centers.
B. All boards which form any part of the frame of the
building shall be nailed at each bearing with not less than two eight-penny
nails or the equivalent.
[Amended 5-2-1989 STM by Art. 6]
Fire stopping shall be provided to form an effectual
horizontal fire barrier between stories and roof spaces. The stopping
shall consist of pieces of wood not less than two inches thick fitted
tightly, cement mortar, or brick filling. Fire stopping shall not
be concealed from view until opportunity has been given the Building
Commissioner to approve it.
[Amended 5-2-1989 STM by Art. 6]
In case the owner of any building or other structure
or an applicant for a permit to erect or alter the building or other
structure is dissatisfied with any order or decision of the Building
Commissioner and shall file with said Commissioner the objection in
writing the matter shall be referred at once to the Selectmen, who
as soon as possible after said reference shall hear the parties, and
after taking such expert opinion as may seem to the Selectmen to be
necessary, give their decision. Their decision shall be final with
reference to such matters as are before them on such objection.