STOW— Governor Maura Healey today announced the approval of new statewide fire safety requirements to help prevent future tragedies and strengthen protections for Massachusetts residents following the deadly Gabriel House fire in Fall River last year. The new standards will require annual checks for recalled fire sprinkler heads, prompt replacement of recalled equipment and additional safety measures when needed to protect residents.
The Massachusetts Board of Fire Prevention Regulations voted today to include the new requirements in the next edition of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code, expected early next year. The changes were proposed by Fall River Fire Captain Joshua Hetzler following the Gabriel House tragedy, which claimed 10 lives and required the evacuation of more than 50 other residents. The updated regulations build on the Governor Healey’s ongoing efforts to strengthen fire safety, emergency preparedness and accountability across Massachusetts.
“The Gabriel House fire was a heartbreaking tragedy that devastated families and the Fall River community. We owe it to those families to do everything we can to prevent something like this from happening again,” said Governor Maura Healey. “That’s why we’ve taken action to strengthen fire safety and emergency preparedness at assisted living residences, and these new requirements will help protect even more people across Massachusetts. I’m grateful to the Fall River firefighters who brought these recommendations forward and to the Board for taking action. We will continue working to strengthen safety, prevent future tragedies and protect our residents.”…