[MassHistPres] Fire Rating

[heartwood]

perhaps you could ask the local fire marshall or chief this question:
given the choice, would you and your team prefer to fight a house
fire that has wood or vinyl or aluminum siding?  vinyl melts and is 
quite toxic, aluminum creates an oven...perhaps siding made of concrete
material may be a safer bet and I emphasize ‘may be’.... 

looking forward to responses...
...jade

jade mortimer
heartwood window restoration
po box 114 1605 mohawk trail
charlemont, ma 01339
413-625-8680

From: Michael J Tubin 
Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2022 10:58 AM
To: masshistpres at cs.umb.edu 
Subject: [MassHistPres] Fire Rating

We have been receiving more applicants that are being told by our new Building Commissioner he must consider fire rating when approving siding materials, based on his interpretation of MGL Chapter 40c section below.

 

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent the ordinary maintenance, repair or replacement of any exterior architectural feature within an historic district which does not involve a change in design, material, color or the outward appearance thereof, nor to prevent landscaping with plants, trees or shrubs, nor construed to prevent the meeting of requirements certified by a duly authorized public officer to be necessary for public safety because of an unsafe or dangerous condition, nor construed to prevent any construction or alteration under a permit duly issued prior to the effective date of the applicable historic district ordinance or by-law.

 

Decision is based on setbacks and proximity to other properties, we are being required to allow property owners to use Hardi Plank cement siding. This is very frustrating when trying to keep historic materials on buildings. We are trying to push a compromise that will allow public view façades to be original materials and non-public view façades to be non-historic fire rated materials. Has anyone else run into this situation? Any materials other than Hardi Plank that would meet fire safety requirements?

 

Michael Tubin

Plymouth



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