MA Housing Regulations Question

Submitted by Animallover4321 t3_10c76fz in massachusetts

I don’t know a lot about this type of thing so I’m hoping someone can help me. How many exits are required for an appointment? Is one exterior exit plus an emergency interior stairwell that remains accessible but requires a user to go to through another apartment a legal apartment?

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nancylyn t1_j4eaz03 wrote

Emergency exits can not require a key so unless that other apartment is unlocked all the time it does not count as an emergency exit.

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Animallover4321 OP t1_j4eb9ia wrote

The door doesn’t have a lock we would just install an alarm that would go off if opened but that’s it.

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Chappy_Sinclair_ t1_j4fr1k1 wrote

That's an interesting one.

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Animallover4321 OP t1_j4frncl wrote

It’s a weird set up. It’s a one family cut into a 2 family. Right now we’re using it as a one family but thinking about renting the other apartment.

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nancylyn t1_j4ef89r wrote

How can you have an apartment that can’t be locked?

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starshine900000 t1_j4efvzq wrote

Call the state fire marshal help line. This crosses building code, fire code, Ada and architectural access board.

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joseph-mama t1_j4ehdu1 wrote

One. One exit. I live on brand new high end construction building and every apartment has one door. The building itself needs multiple exits connected to the hallways because of its size. But each apartment only has 1.

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March_Latter t1_j4fx64c wrote

I do not believe an inspector will allow this. It relies a bit on the other tenant and you also have the issue of the unlocked door even with the alarm. Also remember your town fire chief and inspector have power. Attleboro's requirements involve a separate stairway to the 2nd floor with landings.

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WakingOwl1 t1_j4fz9fw wrote

Lived on the second floor of an old farmhouse once and our second exit was an inner staircase that went down into the land ladies apartment on the first floor. Was there when there was a inspection for recertification and it was deemed okay.

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