SUPERVISION OF PLUMBING

M.G.L. pt. Part I, tit. Title XX, ch. c. 142

in effect

M.G.L. c. 142, § 1 Definitions

c. 142, § 1. Definitions Section 1. In this chapter the following words shall have the following meanings:— ''Certificate'', a certificate of registration issued in accordance with section three of chapter five hundred and thirty-six of the acts of nineteen hundred and nine, section two of chapter five hundred and ninety-seven of the acts of nineteen hundred and ten or chapter five hundred and eighteen of the acts of nineteen hundred and twelve. ''Certificate of a plumbing corporation or certificate of a plumbing partnership'', a certificate of registration issued to a master plumber authorizing him to conduct the plumbing business as a corporation or as a partner in a partnership, as the case may be. ''Certificate of a gas fitting corporation or certificate of a gas fitting partnership'', a certificate of registration issued to a master gas fitter authorizing him to conduct the gas fitting business as a corporation or as a partner in a partnership, as the case may be. ''Examiners'', the board of state examiners of plumbers and gas fitters appointed under section thirty-six of chapter thirteen. ''Gas fitting'', any work which includes the installation, alteration, and replacement of a piping system beyond the gas meter outlet or regulator through which is conveyed or intended to be conveyed fuel gas of any kind for power, refrigeration, heating or illuminating purposes including the connection therewith and testing of gas fixtures, ranges, refrigerators, stoves, water heaters, house heating boilers, and any other gas using appliances, and the maintenance in good and safe condition of said systems, and the making of necessary repairs and changes. ''Journeyman gas fitter'', a person who himself does any work in gas fitting, subject to inspection under any law, rule or regulation. ''Journeyman plumber'', a person who himself does any work in plumbing and gas fitting, subject to inspection under any law, rule or regulation. ''Master gas fitter'', a gas fitter, having a regular place of business and who, by himself or journeyman gas fitters in his employ, performs gas fitting work, subject to inspection and in compliance of any law, rule or regulation pertaining to same. ''Master plumber'', a plumber having a regular place of business and who, by himself or journeyman plumbers in his employ, performs plumbing and gas fitting work, subject to inspection and in compliance with any law, rule, or regulation pertaining to same. ''Plumbing'', the work and practice, materials and fixtures used in the installation, removal, maintenance, extension, and alteration of a plumbing system; of all piping, fixtures, fixed appliances, and appurtenances in connection with any of the following: sanitary drainage, storm drainage facilities, special wastes, the venting system and the public or private water-supply systems, within or adjacent to any building, structure, or conveyance; to their connection with any point of public disposal or other acceptable terminal within the property line. ''Apprentice gas fitter'', a person who is learning and working at the business of gas fitting under the direct supervision of a master plumber, master gas fitter, journeyman plumber or journeyman gas fitter. ''Apprentice plumber'', a person who is learning and working at the business of plumbing under the direct supervision of a master plumber or journeyman plumber. ''Registered'', registered in accordance with section three of chapter five hundred and thirty-six of the acts of nineteen hundred and nine, section two of chapter five hundred and ninety-seven of the acts of nineteen hundred and ten or chapter five hundred and eighteen of the acts of nineteen hundred and twelve. ''Undiluted liquefied petroleum gas installer'', a person who does any work in installing undiluted liquefied petroleum gas systems and appliances. ''Limited undiluted liquefied petroleum gas installer'', a person who does any work in installing, connecting and moving from place to place undiluted liquefied petroleum gas salamanders, space heaters and related equipment used in buildings under construction.

M.G.L. c. 142, § 2 Application of supervision of plumbing statutes

c. 142, § 2. Application of supervision of plumbing statutes Section 2. Sections one through twenty-two, except section twenty-one, shall apply to all cities and towns.

M.G.L. c. 142, § 3 Master plumbers or gas fitters, journeymen and apprentices; licensing; advertising; display of license or certificate

c. 142, § 3. Master plumbers or gas fitters, journeymen and apprentices; licensing; advertising; display of license or certificate Section 3. No person shall engage in the business as a master plumber or a master gas fitter or work as a journeyman plumber or as a journeyman gas fitter or as an apprentice plumber or as an apprentice gas fitter or as an undiluted liquefied petroleum gas installer or as a limited undiluted liquefied petroleum gas installer, nor solicit, by sign, listing or any other form of advertisement, work regulated or controlled by this chapter or by any ordinance, by-law, rule or regulation made hereunder, unless he is lawfully registered, or has been licensed by the examiners as provided in this chapter. Any person so licensed as a master plumber or a journeyman plumber may carry on the work of a gas fitter throughout the commonwealth, notwithstanding any local ordinance, by-law, rule or regulation to the contrary, and may engage in the work of installing house drainage and connecting with common sewers without being required to have any local license therefor, but shall be subject to local regulations relative to permits and bonding requirements. This section shall not apply to authorized employees of any gas company organized under chapter one hundred and sixty-four; said employees shall not require a gas fitter's license while performing work for said gas company. The license or certificate of a journeyman plumber or a gas fitter or an apprentice plumber or a gas fitter shall be exhibited whenever required by an inspector of plumbing or gas fitting. The license or certificate of a master plumber or a master gas fitter shall at all times be displayed conspicuously within his place of business. Any sign, listing or advertisement of a master plumber, a master gas fitter, a journeyman plumber or a journeyman gas fitter shall contain his designation and license number.

M.G.L. c. 142, § 3A Apprentices; licensing; application; employment; on-the-job training, rules and regulations

c. 142, § 3A. Apprentices; licensing; application; employment; on-the-job training, rules and regulations Section 3A. Every apprentice shall before starting his apprenticeship file an application, accompanied by the appropriate fee, with the examiners, requesting that he be issued an apprentice license. Said application shall be made on a form to be furnished by the examiners, and shall require the applicant to state his age, the date on which he is to commence his apprenticeship, the name and address of his employer, and such other information as the examiners may require. Upon receipt thereof the examiners shall license said applicant as an apprentice and shall forthwith mail to him a certificate to that effect. A person may be employed as an apprentice plumber by a master plumber only. A person may be employed as an apprentice gas fitter by a master gas fitter only. Such apprentices shall work under the direct supervision of a master plumber or a journeyman plumber or a master or a journeyman gas fitter. A master plumber or a master gas fitter may employ one or more apprentices but not more than one apprentice may work under the direct supervision of a master plumber, a master gas fitter or a journeyman plumber or a journeyman gas fitter. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, students in a vocational school accredited by the department of education, under the direct personal supervision of a master plumber or a journeyman who is certified as an instructor by the division of occupational education in said department shall be permitted to engage in an on-the-job training program, so-called, on installations approved by the examiners and conducted in cooperation with such a vocational school. The examiners may formulate rules and regulations relative to said on-the-job training program.

M.G.L. c. 142, § 3B Certificates of plumbing or gas fitting corporations or partnerships

c. 142, § 3B. Certificates of plumbing or gas fitting corporations or partnerships Section 3B. A person duly licensed in the commonwealth as a master plumber or as a master gas fitter may apply to the examiners for a certificate of a plumbing corporation or for a certificate of a gas fitting corporation or a certificate of a plumbing partnership or a certificate of a gas fitting partnership upon payment of a fee and a biennial renewal fee, the amounts of which shall be determined annually by the commissioner of administration under the provision of section three B of chapter seven for the filing thereof. A certificate of a plumbing corporation shall authorize a master plumber to conduct the plumbing and gas fitting business as a corporation, a certificate of a gas fitting corporation shall allow a master gas fitter to conduct the gas fitting business as a corporation, provided, that in a plumbing corporation the master plumber and in a gas fitting corporation the master gas fitter is an officer of the corporation organized under the laws of the commonwealth to engage in the business of plumbing or in the business of gas fitting. A certificate of plumbing partnership shall authorize a master plumber to conduct the plumbing and gas fitting business as a partnership, a certificate of a gas fitting partnership shall authorize a master gas fitter to conduct the gas fitting business as a partnership; provided, that all partners in a plumbing partnership are master plumbers and in a gas fitting partnership all partners are master gas fitters. For the purpose of this section, a gas company, as defined in section one of chapter one hundred and sixty-four, shall be deemed a gas fitting corporation.

M.G.L. c. 142, § 4 Rules of examiners; qualifications of applicants; applications; examinations; issuance of license; probationary license; credit for veterans

c. 142, § 4. Rules of examiners; qualifications of applicants; applications; examinations; issuance of license; probationary license; credit for veterans Section 4. The examiners may make rules as they consider proper for the performance of their duties and shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the qualifications of applicants for examination. They shall examine each applicant desiring to engage in the business of a master plumber or a journeyman plumber, as to his practical knowledge of plumbing, house drainage, plumbing ventilation, and gas fitting. They shall examine each applicant desiring to engage in the business of a master gas fitter or a journeyman gas fitter as to his practical knowledge pertaining to gas fitting, natural and manufactured gas and the installation of undiluted liquefied petroleum. They shall examine each person who applies to be licensed as an undiluted liquefied petroleum gas installer, and each person who applies to be licensed as a limited undiluted liquefied petroleum gas installer. They shall subject each applicant to a practical test satisfactory to the examiner, who, if satisfied of his competence, shall issue to him a license as applied for. They shall hold frequent examinations in the city of Boston, and also at such other convenient places within the commonwealth as they deem necessary. Public notice shall be given of all examinations. Every application for examination shall be in the handwriting of the applicant who shall be notified by the examiners of the time and place of examination. The examiners may, without payment of any fee, issue a probationary license in force for six months to a person who, having worked as an apprentice, or under a verbal agreement for instruction, for not less than three years, presents an application therefor with the signed endorsement of his employer agreeing to be responsible for all work done under the license and to have the licensee, at the expiration of the license, present himself for examination as a journeyman. They shall grant a credit of five per cent to the examination standing of each applicant who is a veteran, as defined in clause Forty-third of section seven of chapter four. The examiners shall promulgate regulations to determine the allowable education and work hour credits for veterans and military personnel.

M.G.L. c. 142, § 4A Plumbers employed by cities, institutions or corporations; installations and repairs

c. 142, § 4A. Plumbers employed by cities, institutions or corporations; installations and repairs Section 4A. Master plumbers, journeymen, or apprentice plumbers, regularly employed by cities and towns or by institutions or corporations that are not engaged in the business of plumbing, may install such plumbing or make such repairs as may be required on the premises and property owned or leased and occupied by such cities, towns, institutions or corporations, provided that all such work performed by said plumbers shall be in compliance with the pertinent sections and provisions of this chapter.

M.G.L. c. 142, § 5 Fees for licenses and examinations

c. 142, § 5. Fees for licenses and examinations Section 5. The fee for the first license of a master plumber or master gas fitter, journeyman plumber or journeyman gas fitter, apprentice, undiluted liquefied petroleum gas installer, or limited undiluted petroleum gas installer or for any biennial renewal thereof, and for any examination therefor shall be determined annually by the commissioner of administration under the provision of section three B of chapter seven for the filing thereof.

M.G.L. c. 142, § 6 Territorial coverage, transfer, term, renewal, fee, suspension and revocation of licenses; names of licensees forwarded to towns; registration

c. 142, § 6. Territorial coverage, transfer, term, renewal, fee, suspension and revocation of licenses; names of licensees forwarded to towns; registration Section 6. Licenses and certificates issued by the examiners shall be valid throughout the commonwealth, but shall not be assignable or transferable. The examiners shall forward to the board of health of each town, or to the inspector of buildings having control of the enforcement of regulations relative to plumbing and gas fitting in such town, the names and addresses of all persons in such town to whom such licenses have been granted. Licenses shall be issued for two years and may be renewed every two years on or before May first, or in case of absence, sickness or other disability of the holder, on or before such later date as the examiners may permit, upon payment of the required fee. Each holder of a master plumber's or a master gas fitter's certificate or license shall register his name and business address with said inspector of buildings if he has such control, otherwise with the board of health, in the town wherein he desires to engage in business as a master plumber or a master gas fitter. The fee for such a registration shall be set by the board of health of each town, but in no event shall any such fee be greater than twenty dollars. Any such license or certificate may, after notice and hearing, be suspended or revoked by the examiners upon the violation by the holder thereof of any statute, ordinance, by-law, rule or regulation relative to plumbing or gas fitting, upon failure or refusal of the holder thereof to comply with the rules and requirements of the examiners, or for other sufficient cause. In case of failure to renew a license aforesaid on or before May first in any year or such later date as the examiners may permit as aforesaid, the person named therein may, upon payment of the said fee and, at the discretion of the examiners, a deferred renewal fee to be determined annually by the commissioner of administration under the provision of section three B of chapter seven, increased by such additional fees as would have been payable had such license been continuously renewed, receive a deferred renewal thereof which shall expire on the ensuing first day of May; provided, that such renewed license shall not constitute its holder a licensee for any period preceding its issue.

M.G.L. c. 142, § 6A Licensed plumber or gas fitter continuing education course

c. 142, § 6A. Licensed plumber or gas fitter continuing education course Section 6A. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, a licensed plumber or gas fitter shall complete a course of continuing education as determined by the examiners. The examiners shall promulgate rules and regulations necessary to carry out this section.

M.G.L. c. 142, § 7 Notice to examiners of violation of statute, ordinance or regulation

c. 142, § 7. Notice to examiners of violation of statute, ordinance or regulation Section 7. If, in the opinion of such inspector of buildings, if any, otherwise of the board of health, of a town, the holder of a license or certificate violates any statute, ordinance, by-law, rule or regulation relative to plumbing and gas fitting, said inspector or board of health of the town where such violation is committed shall give notice thereof to the examiners.

M.G.L. c. 142, § 10 Inspection districts; expense

c. 142, § 10. Inspection districts; expense Section 10. Two or more towns may unite in forming an inspection district, the expense thereof to be paid on such basis as may be agreed upon by the boards of health thereof.

M.G.L. c. 142, § 11 Inspectors appointed from civil service list; approval of plumbing or gas fitting; exemption

c. 142, § 11. Inspectors appointed from civil service list; approval of plumbing or gas fitting; exemption Section 11. The said inspector of buildings, if any, otherwise the board of health, of each city and town, shall, within three months after it becomes subject to sections one to sixteen, inclusive, appoint from the classified civil service list one or more inspectors of plumbing and one or more inspectors of gas fitting, who shall, in the case of the inspectors of plumbing, be practical plumbers and shall have had practical experience either as master or journeymen plumbers, continuously, during five years next preceding their appointment and in the case of inspectors of gas fitting, be practical gas fitters and shall have had practical experience either as master or journeymen gas fitters, continuously, during five years next preceding their appointment; provided, that any time spent in wartime service as defined in clause Forty-third of section seven of chapter four shall be deemed a part of the continuous practical experience so required; provided, however, that any such city or town may appoint plumbing inspectors who shall also be gas fitting inspectors. Such inspector of buildings or board may remove them subject to chapter thirty-one, and shall, subject to approval of the city council or board of selectmen, fix their compensation, which shall be paid by the city or town. Said inspectors of plumbing or inspectors of gas fitting shall inspect all plumbing or gas fitting, as the case may be, in the process of construction, alteration or repair for which permits are granted within their respective cities and towns, and shall report to their appointing power or board violations of any law, ordinance, by-law, rule or regulation relative to plumbing or gas fitting; they shall perform such other appropriate duties as may be required. The approval of plumbing or gas fitting by any inspectors other than those provided for by this chapter shall not be a compliance therewith. In a town having a population of less than five thousand persons the appointment of a plumbing inspector shall be exempt from the provisions of chapter thirty-one.

M.G.L. c. 142, § 11A Plumbing and gasfitting inspectors; cities over seventy-five thousand; appointment

c. 142, § 11A. Plumbing and gasfitting inspectors; cities over seventy-five thousand; appointment Section 11A. In any city with a population over seventy-five thousand which accepts the provisions of this section, notwithstanding the provisions of section eleven or any other general or special law or ordinance to the contrary, inspectors of plumbing and the inspectors of gasfitting shall be appointed by the mayor, subject to the provisions of chapter thirty-one of the General Laws.

M.G.L. c. 142, § 11B Plumbing and gas fitting inspectors; continuing education

c. 142, § 11B. Plumbing and gas fitting inspectors; continuing education Section 11B. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, inspectors of plumbing and inspectors of gas fitting shall complete a minimum of 12 hours per year of continuing education which shall include the review and interpretation of plumbing and fuel gas codes and related codes, rules and regulations. The examiners shall promulgate rules and regulations for the implementation and requirements of continuing education for inspectors of plumbing and inspectors of gas fitting.

M.G.L. c. 142, § 12 Additional inspectors; inspector engaging in plumbing or gas fitting work

c. 142, § 12. Additional inspectors; inspector engaging in plumbing or gas fitting work Section 12. No inspector of plumbing or inspector of gas fitting shall inspect or approve any plumbing or gas fitting work done by himself, his employer, employee or one employed with him, but in a city or town subject to sections one to sixteen, inclusive, the said inspector of buildings, or the board of health, shall in the manner provided in the preceding section appoint an additional inspector of plumbing or inspector of gas fitting as therein provided, who shall inspect plumbing or gas fitting so done. Said additional inspector may act in the absence or disability of the local inspector and for his services shall receive like compensation. This section shall not apply to any city or town establishing an annual salary for an inspector of plumbing or inspector of gas fitting, and in such city or town an inspector of plumbing or inspector of gas fitting shall not engage or work at the business of plumbing or gas fitting; provided, however such an inspector may perform the work of a journeyman plumber or gas fitter outside the area over which he exercises jurisdiction as an inspector.

M.G.L. c. 142, § 13 Regulations

c. 142, § 13. Regulations Section 13. In all cities and towns, the examiners shall make and from time to time in like manner alter, amend and repeal rules and regulations relative to the construction, alteration, repair and inspection of plumbing in such cities and towns, which rules and regulations shall be reasonable, uniform and based on generally accepted standards of plumbing practice; provided, however, that the application of such rules and regulations may be varied by the examiners in a particular city or town upon petition of the board of health or health department thereof. The examiners shall adopt a regulation requiring all cities and towns to use a uniform application for a permit to perform plumbing work. The examiners shall make and from time to time in like manner alter, amend, and repeal rules and regulations relative to gas fitting in buildings throughout the commonwealth, and relative to liquefied petroleum gas fitting in buildings throughout the commonwealth, and relative to liquefied petroleum gas fitting containers and regulating equipment in such buildings, which rules shall be reasonable, uniform, based on generally accepted standards of engineering practice, and designed to prevent fire, explosion, injury and death, and not inconsistent with rules and regulations relative to the distribution of natural gas which are promulgated pursuant to chapter one hundred and sixty-four or the provisions of chapter one hundred and forty-two or the rules and regulations made under the authority thereof. Any person aggrieved by a ruling interpreting the rules and regulations made under this paragraph, including any person aggrieved by any such rule made by the building commissioner of Boston, may appeal to the examiners in writing within ten days after such ruling; and, subject to the provisions of chapter thirty A relative to adjudicatory proceedings, said examiners shall hear and decide such appeal. Subject to said provisions of chapter thirty A, such decision shall be final and binding upon, and complied with by, all parties in interest.

M.G.L. c. 142, § 14 Persons learning plumbing and gas fitting businesses

c. 142, § 14. Persons learning plumbing and gas fitting businesses Section 14. Sections one to sixteen, inclusive, shall apply to all persons learning the business of plumbing and gas fitting when they are sent out to do the work of a journeyman.

M.G.L. c. 142, § 15 Reports by inspectors of buildings and boards of health

c. 142, § 15. Reports by inspectors of buildings and boards of health Section 15. Inspectors of buildings and boards of health shall annually, before June first, make a detailed report to their respective cities or towns of all their proceedings under sections one to sixteen, inclusive, during the preceding year.

M.G.L. c. 142, § 16 Work or employment of workers without required registration or license; violation of statute, ordinance or regulation by persons, cities or towns

c. 142, § 16. Work or employment of workers without required registration or license; violation of statute, ordinance or regulation by persons, cities or towns Section 16. Every person engaged in the business of a master plumber or a master gas fitter or working as a journeyman plumber or a journeyman gas fitter or as an apprentice gas fitter or an apprentice plumber or as an undiluted liquefied petroleum gas installer or a limited undiluted liquefied petroleum gas installer not lawfully registered or licensed, if required by the chapter, every person engaging in or working at the business of plumbing or gas fitting in a city or town when forbidden to do so under section seven, every master plumber or master gas fitter who engages or employs any person to work as a journeyman or as an apprentice who has not been so licensed, and every person so licensed violating any provision of sections one to fifteen, inclusive, of this chapter or any ordinance, by-law, rule or regulation made thereunder, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars. Any city or town subject to the preceding sections of this chapter neglecting to comply with any of its provisions shall forfeit fifty dollars to the commonwealth for each month during which such neglect continues.

M.G.L. c. 142, § 17 Statements by manufacturer on range boilers and water heaters; certificates relative to cast iron water fronts, heater elements and hot water tanks

c. 142, § 17. Statements by manufacturer on range boilers and water heaters; certificates relative to cast iron water fronts, heater elements and hot water tanks Section 17. No range boiler, tank, vessel or container, ferrous or non-ferrous, in which water is to be heated or stored under pressure for domestic, culinary or sanitary purposes, in this section and in sections eighteen and nineteen referred to as hot water tanks, shall be sold or offered for sale unless it is plainly marked by the manufacturer, by stamping into the metal of the tank, or on a metal plate permanently attached to the tank, in a conspicuous place, as follows:— A. Manufacturer's name or registered trade mark. B. Rated capacity of hot water tank in United States gallons. C. Hydrostatic pressure in pounds per square inch at which the tank has been tested by the manufacturer, following the words ''Tested to''. D. Maximum allowable working pressure in pounds per square inch. Notwithstanding the requirements of the preliminary paragraph and paragraphs A to D, inclusive, of this section, the markings therein referred to shall not be required, in the case of cast iron hot water fronts, so called, or hot water tanks that are insulated or enclosed in a jacket or casing, to be stamped into the metal thereof or to be stamped on a metal plate permanently attached thereto; provided, that any manufacturer selling such hot water fronts within the commonwealth shall in writing certify to the department of fire services and the board of state examiners of plumbers that every such water front sold by him complies with the pertinent provisions of law; and provided, further, that any manufacturer of hot water tanks that are insulated or enclosed in a jacket or casing which are to be sold within the commonwealth shall certify in writing to the department of fire services and the board of state examiners of plumbers that every such tankless water heater coil or element, or hot water tank manufactured by him complies with the pertinent provisions of law, and shall permanently attach to the largest segment of said jacket or casing, in a conspicuous place, a metal plate which has stamped into the metal thereof the requirements of paragraphs A to D, inclusive.

M.G.L. c. 142, § 18 Construction, installing, relocating and repairing requirements; capacity; strength; solder; pressure

c. 142, § 18. Construction, installing, relocating and repairing requirements; capacity; strength; solder; pressure Section 18. No hot water tank shall be repaired, relocated or installed and connected, unless it meets the following construction requirements:— A. The actual capacity of a hot water tank shall be within seven and one half per cent of the capacity stamped on the tank. B. A hot water tank shall be so constructed by riveting, welding, or otherwise, as to withstand the stamped test pressure without visible permanent distortion, and be so designed as to have an ultimate strength sufficient to withstand a hydrostatic pressure twenty-five per cent higher than the stamped test pressure. C. Solder which melts at a temperature below seven hundred degrees Fahrenheit shall not be used to hold the tank together, but may be used to make it water tight, cistern tanks excepted. D. A hot water tank in which water is to be heated or stored under pressure greater than fifteen pounds per square inch shall have a stamped test pressure of not less than two hundred pounds per square inch. E. The maximum working pressure at which a hot water tank may be installed shall not be greater than fifty per cent of the test pressure marked on the tank.

M.G.L. c. 142, § 19 Safety devices for hot water tanks; statements by manufacturer; approval; pipes and fittings

c. 142, § 19. Safety devices for hot water tanks; statements by manufacturer; approval; pipes and fittings Section 19. No hot water tank shall be installed and connected unless it is protected with safety devices as follows:— A. A hot water tank in which water is to be heated or stored under pressure greater than fifteen pounds per square inch shall be equipped with a suitable pressure relief valve installed in a tapping in the tank or in the cold water supply line, or the hot water outlet line, with no shut-off valve between the relief valve and the tank. The pressure relief valve shall be set by the manufacturer to operate at a pressure not more than the maximum working pressure stamped on the tank or jacket or casing, and shall be so constructed that said setting cannot be exceeded by normal means of adjustment. B. A hot water tank to which a heating device or appliance capable of delivering water to the tank at a temperature greater than two hundred and twelve degrees Fahrenheit is connected shall be equipped with a suitable temperature relief valve so adjusted and installed as to prevent development of, or accumulation of, water which is at a temperature in excess of two hundred and twelve degrees Fahrenheit. Said temperature relief valve shall be installed in a tapping directly in or on the tank, within twelve inches of the top of a vertical tank, or within six inches of the top of a horizontal tank, with no fittings between the valve and the tank, except that a bushing may be used to reduce the tapping to fit the valve, or the valve shall be installed in the hot water outlet pipe as close to the top of the tank as possible. In no case shall the heat sensitive member of the temperature relief valve be more than five inches away from the top of the tank. The discharge outlet of the temperature relief valve shall be connected by means of a non-ferrous pipe or tubing not less than three eighths inch inside diameter, with no shut-off, to an open plumbing fixture, or to within twelve inches of the basement floor. A thermostatically controlled hot water tank may be protected by an automatic fuel shut-off device in addition to the thermostat. Such shut-off device shall be installed in the same location and perform the same function as said temperature relief valve. C. All parts of temperature and pressure relief valves which are in contact with water shall be made of non-ferrous metals or materials having suitable corrosion resisting properties. All pipe and fittings between relief valves and the hot water tank shall be of non-ferrous metals. D. Relief valves shall be marked by the manufacturer, by stamping or casting in the metal of the valve, or on a metal tag permanently attached to the valve, as follows:— 1. Manufacturer's name or registered trade mark. 2. The type or style, or the type and style, of the valve. 3. The pressure setting of the valve in pounds per square inch. 4. The temperature setting in degrees Fahrenheit. 5. Temperature relieving capacity in B.T.U. per hour. Notwithstanding the requirements of paragraph B of this section, the protective devices specified therein shall not be required in the case of that portion of tankless water heaters which contain water to be heated or stored under the provisions of section seventeen. Said portion of tankless water heaters shall be equipped with a pressure relief valve and an automatic tempering device, set to deliver water not exceeding one hundred and eighty degrees Fahrenheit and located between said tankless water heater and any hot water supply pipe which it serves. All pipes and fittings between the tankless water heater and the pressure relief valve and the tempering device shall be of non-ferrous metals. All parts of the tempering device which are in contact with the water shall be of non-ferrous metals or other materials having suitable corrosion-resisting properties. Said tempering device shall be marked by the manufacturer by casting or stamping in the metal of the device, or on a metal tag permanently attached to the device, as follows:— 1. Manufacturer's name or registered trade name. 2. The type or style, or the type and style, of the device. 3. The temperature settings, in degrees Fahrenheit, plainly marked. E. Temperature and pressure relief valves and other devices referred to in this section shall be subject to the approval of the inspectors of plumbing or other proper authorities. F. All pipes and fittings in the circulating system between a hot water tank and the heating device or appliance shall be non-ferrous, and of ample size so as to make it possible to heat seventy-five per cent of the available water in the tank without raising the temperature of any part of the water above two hundred and twelve degrees Fahrenheit. G. No hot water tank shall be installed without being equipped with an approved device located so as to prevent any partial vacuum therein.

M.G.L. c. 142, § 20 Installed or junked range boilers

c. 142, § 20. Installed or junked range boilers Section 20. The three preceding sections shall not apply to the sale or offering for sale of installed range boilers or to the sale or offering for sale of range boilers as junk.

M.G.L. c. 142, § 21 Buildings owned, used and constructed by commonwealth

c. 142, § 21. Buildings owned, used and constructed by commonwealth Section 21. The examiners shall formulate rules relative to the construction, alteration, repair and inspection of all plumbing and gas fitting work in buildings owned, used and constructed by the commonwealth and in buildings owned, used and constructed by the University of Massachusetts Building Authority, Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, Massachusetts Port Authority, Metropolitan district commission and the government center commission and all plans for plumbing and gas fitting in such buildings shall be subject to the approval of the examiners.

M.G.L. c. 142, § 21A Permits for plumbing and gas fitting work; proof of liability insurance or bond

c. 142, § 21A. Permits for plumbing and gas fitting work; proof of liability insurance or bond Section 21A. Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, no licensed plumber or gas fitter, acting in the capacity of a self-employed contractor, shall be issued a permit for the performance of plumbing and gas fitting, pursuant to this chapter unless the licensee has a current liability insurance policy including completed operations coverage, which has been issued by an insurance company licensed to do business within the commonwealth, or other type of indemnity against liability providing substantially equivalent coverage, or a bond. The licensee shall check the appropriate block on the uniform application to perform plumbing and gas work. In lieu of such insurance requirement, plumbing and gas inspectors shall accept the signature of the owner or his agent on the uniform application for a permit to perform plumbing or gas work upon the property of said owner.

M.G.L. c. 142, § 22 Enforcement and violation of statutes

c. 142, § 22. Enforcement and violation of statutes Section 22. Whoever violates any provision of section seventeen, eighteen or nineteen shall be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars. Inspectors of plumbing or other proper authorities shall cause the provisions of said sections to be enforced.

Source: Massachusetts General Court (malegislature.gov)URL: https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXX/Chapter142Fetched: 10/20/2026