Boston Inspectional Services Department (ISD)
Boston, MA
Avg Review
40d
Rejection Rate
62%
Skill Files
8
Status
High Risk
Ventilation — Boston Type I Hood
780 CMR (MA Mechanical Code) / NFPA 96Type I hoods per 780 CMR Mechanical provisions (based on 2015 IMC with MA amendments). Exhaust 400 CFM/LF heavy duty. Makeup air required. MA energy code (Stretch Code) may apply in Boston.
Examiner Note: Boston ISD enforces MA Stretch Energy Code. Kitchen HVAC must comply with enhanced energy requirements. Show energy compliance documentation.
Common rejection: MA Stretch Energy Code compliance not documented for kitchen HVAC; makeup air specifications incomplete
Correction: Document MA Stretch Energy Code compliance for kitchen HVAC. Show makeup air on roof plan. Include energy analysis per 780 CMR.
Fire Suppression — Boston NFPA 96
NFPA 96 / UL 300 / 527 CMR / Boston Fire PreventionUL 300 suppression per 527 CMR and NFPA 96. Boston Fire Department reviews fire plans separately from ISD. Automatic gas shutoff. Manual pull station. Boston Fire requires separate permit.
Examiner Note: Boston Fire Department requires separate fire suppression permit. Very thorough review. Submit manufacturer design documents and system layout to BFD.
Common rejection: Boston Fire permit not applied for; suppression system design documents not submitted to BFD
Correction: Apply for Boston Fire Department fire suppression permit. Submit UL 300 manufacturer documents and system layout to BFD.
Plumbing — Boston Grease Interceptor
248 CMR (MA Plumbing Code) / BWSCGrease interceptor per 248 CMR (MA Plumbing Code). Boston Water & Sewer Commission (BWSC) reviews FOG compliance. MA plumbing code is separate from IPC — uses state-specific provisions. Licensed MA plumber required.
Examiner Note: BWSC has specific FOG program and reviews interceptor sizing. MA plumbing license required on application. 248 CMR differs from IPC in many areas.
Common rejection: BWSC FOG review not initiated; MA plumbing code not followed (IPC references used instead of 248 CMR)
Correction: Submit interceptor to BWSC FOG program. Reference 248 CMR (not IPC) on P-1. Include MA plumber license on application.
Electrical — Boston Kitchen Circuits
527 CMR (MA Electrical Code) / NEC w/ MA amendments527 CMR (MA Electrical Code based on NEC with MA amendments). GFCI within 6 feet of water. Emergency disconnect. MA master electrician license required. Boston has additional local amendments.
Examiner Note: Boston ISD requires MA master electrician license. MA electrical code (527 CMR) has significant amendments to NEC. Use 527 CMR, not NEC directly.
Common rejection: MA electrical license not on application; NEC references used instead of 527 CMR
Correction: Reference 527 CMR on electrical plans. Include MA master electrician license. Add GFCI per 527 CMR requirements.
Health — Boston Food Facility
105 CMR 590 / Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC)Boston Public Health Commission reviews food facility plans per 105 CMR 590 (MA Food Code). Handwash, 3-comp sink, FRP behind cooking, sealed floors. BPHC food establishment permit required.
Examiner Note: BPHC has strict food facility review. Separate plan review application required. 4-6 week turnaround.
Common rejection: BPHC plan review not submitted; MA Food Code finishes not specified on plans
Correction: Submit food facility plan to BPHC per 105 CMR 590. Specify all required finishes and fixtures on A-series sheets.
Structural — Boston Loads
780 CMR / ASCE 7-10 (2015 edition basis)Seismic Design Category B for Boston. Snow load 35-40 PSF. Equipment anchorage. 780 CMR references ASCE 7-10 (2015 IBC basis). MA PE required. Older building stock may require careful structural evaluation.
Examiner Note: Boston ISD requires MA PE stamp. Older buildings in Boston may need structural investigation before kitchen equipment loads can be verified.
Common rejection: Structural calculations not by MA PE; existing building structural capacity not verified for kitchen loads
Correction: Provide MA PE-stamped calculations per 780 CMR. For existing buildings, provide structural investigation report verifying capacity for kitchen equipment loads.
ADA — Boston Accessible Design
780 CMR Ch. 11 / 521 CMR (MA Architectural Access Board) / ADA 2010521 CMR (MA Architectural Access Board rules) combined with 780 CMR Chapter 11. MA accessibility requirements can exceed federal ADA significantly. Separate MAAB variance process if full compliance impossible.
Examiner Note: Boston ISD enforces 521 CMR strictly. MAAB rules may require accessibility features beyond federal ADA. Review 521 CMR carefully — it differs from ADA in significant ways.
Common rejection: 521 CMR requirements not met (more restrictive than ADA); MAAB variance not applied for when needed
Correction: Review 521 CMR requirements (differs from ADA). Show accessible route per 521 CMR on A-1. Apply for MAAB variance if full compliance is impossible.
Egress — Boston Exit Requirements
780 CMR §1006 / §1017 w/ MA amendments780 CMR egress based on 2015 IBC with MA amendments. Two exits for 50+ occupants. Travel distance 250/300 feet. Exit signs on emergency power.
Examiner Note: Boston ISD follows 780 CMR egress. MA amendments may differ from standard IBC egress.
Common rejection: Occupant load not on plans; MA-specific egress amendments not addressed
Correction: Add occupant load per 780 CMR on A-1. Show exit signs on emergency power. Reference 780 CMR egress provisions.