This bylaw provides that residential, commercial and industrial buildings that utilize truss-type construction shall be marked by an emblem that informs persons conducting fire control and other emergency operations of the existence of truss construction.
[Adopted as Art. XII, Sec. 12.14, of the 2016 General Bylaws]
For the purpose of this bylaw:
Shall mean those buildings and structures classified as such by the Merrimac Building Inspector using the classification system found in 780 CMR (The Massachusetts State Building Code) or its successors.
Shall mean a fabricated structure of wood, steel or combination thereof, made up of a series of members connected at their ends to form a series of triangles to span a distance greater than would be possible with any of the individual members on their own. "Truss type construction" shall not include individual wind or seismic bracing components which form triangles when diagonally connected to the main structure system.
The head of the Fire Department or their designee shall be responsible for ensuring the proper placement of emblems on buildings or structures covered by this bylaw.
A.
All multifamily residential buildings and all commercial and industrial businesses in operation at the time this bylaw is ratified shall be required to have an emblem or emblems placed in the locations identified by the Fire Chief within six months of the passage of this bylaw. All existing one- and two-family dwellings shall allow for the placement of this identifying emblem when undergoing additions or alterations or when such construction type is identified.
B.
Any person who fails to permit the posting of a structure as set forth in this bylaw, or who removes or willingly obstructs from view the fire official's designated posting, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $50 for each offense. Every day that a violation continues after its abatement has been ordered by the Town and sufficient time has elapsed to permit abatement shall constitute a new offense.
C.
The emblems will be made available by the Merrimac Fire/Rescue Department at no cost to the building owner/manager.
The shape of the emblem shall be a circle of six inches in diameter. The emblem background shall be reflective white in color. The circle border and contents shall be reflective red in color, conforming to Pantone® Matching System (PMS) No. 187.
The following letters shall be printed on the emblem identifying the existence of truss construction, using the alphabetic designation for the structural components that are of truss construction, as follows:
A.
Emblems identifying the existence of truss construction shall be permanently affixed in the locations directed and in a manner approved by the Fire Chief.
B.
Table 1 will be used as an emblem location guide for fire officials. Every effort is to be made as to not interfere with advertising or graphic designs located on the doors, windows or face of the buildings covered by this bylaw.
Table 1 Truss Identification Sign Locations | |
|---|---|
For 1- and 2-family dwellings | The emblem shall be affixed to the electrical meter socket. If the electric meter is located inside the dwelling, the emblem shall be affixed to the natural gas meter if so equipped. If neither location is available, additional locations shall follow the guidelines established for multiunit apartment buildings and commercial and industrial buildings. |
Multiunit apartment buildings, commercial and industrial buildings | Exterior building entrance doors, exterior exit discharge doors, and exterior roof access doors to a stairway, attached to all main means of egress at the door or sidelight, or directly on the street side of the building |
Fire department hose connections | Attached to the face of the building, not more than 12 inches (305 mm) horizontally from the center line of the Fire Department hose connection, and not less than 42 inches (1,067 mm) nor more than 60 inches (1,524 mm) above the adjoining walking surface |