The current edition of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code (527 CMR 1.00), which came into effect in December 2022, states that “the term laboratory unit [from NFPA 45] shall also mean laboratory suite in coordination with 780 CMR.” This laboratory suite reference has caused confusion because the 9th Edition of 780 CMR, or the Massachusetts State Building Code (MA Building Code), which is currently in effect, does not mention this term.
In April 2024, the Board of Building Regulations and Standards (BBRS) voted to promulgate the 10th Edition of the MA Building Code, which is based on the 2021 Edition of the International Building Code (IBC). The code will be enforceable once approved by the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, which could happen before the end of the year. A draft of the 10th Edition is available on the MA Building Code website. The updated MA Building Code will introduce the term “laboratory suite,” which is defined as a fire-rated, enclosed laboratory area providing one or more laboratory work areas within an occupancy that includes ancillary uses such as offices, bathrooms, and corridors that are contiguous with the laboratory area. Laboratory suites are interchangeable with the term “laboratory units.”
Requirements for laboratory suites are outlined in section 428 of the 10th Edition of the MA Building Code. This section states that laboratories can comply with one or more of the following methods of determining Maximum Allowable Quantities (MAQs):
- Control area method, which has historically been used to determine MAQs,
- Laboratory suites method, which references the 2019 edition of NFPA 45 with modifications outlined in section 428,
- Use Group H method, which allows labs to exceed MAQs when classified as a Group H occupancy.
Laboratory suites have designated fire hazard classes based on the floor they are on and the fire ratings of the walls, floors and ceilings that separate the suite from another facility or common building area, as determined by NFPA 45 Table 5.1.1 with modifications in the updated MA Building Code. For example, Class A laboratory suites, the highest fire hazard suites, are only permitted on the first three floors, and there must be two-hour rated fire barriers. On the other hand, a Class D laboratory suite, the lowest fire hazard suite, can be located on or below the 20th floor, although laboratory suites at or above the seventh floor must have two-hour fire rated barriers.
When using the laboratory suites method, the fire hazard class designations and square footage of the laboratory work areas determine the flammable and combustible liquid MAQs based on NFPA 45 Table 9.1.1(b). Using this method to calculate flammable and combustible MAQs can impact laboratories on higher floors because the MAQs are based on the square footage of the laboratory work area. Also, compared to the control area method, there is less of a decrease in MAQs on higher floors. This could result in allowable increases in flammable and combustible liquids use and storage. Laboratories on higher floors that have MAQs based on the control area method could benefit from a MAQ reassessment and related flammable storage permit, hazardous material permit, or laboratory registration amendment, depending on the city or town.
NFPA 45 Table 5.1.1 does not limit the number of laboratory units or suites per floor. However, modifications in the updated MA Building Code place thresholds on the number of laboratory suites allowed on each floor. If there are laboratory suites of varying fire hazard classes on the same floor, the maximum number of suites is based on the most restrictive hazard class.
Since multiple methods can be used to determine MAQs, it is possible to have laboratory suites and control areas in the same building. If this occurs, the 10th Edition of the MA Building Code states that the maximum number of control areas and laboratory suites cannot exceed the number of laboratory suites as specified in NFPA 45 Table 5.1.1 as modified by the updated MA Building Code.
This edition of the MA Building Code also outlines other requirements for laboratory suites, including provisions for ventilation, automatic sprinklers, and means of egress, which are based on NFPA 45.
For additional information on the upcoming 10th Edition of the MA Building Code and how it may affect your facility, please contact us!
This blog was written by Rae Moore, Safety Partners’ Senior Quality, Research, and Training Specialist.
