City Enforcement Actions Against Rooming Houses Getting Results

New Bedford, MA – In the wake of a fatal March 2023 rooming house fire on Acushnet Avenue, Mayor Jon Mitchell directed the New Bedford Fire Department to launch an aggressive enforcement program to bring the City’s remaining 19 un-sprinklered rooming house operators into compliance with a state law mandating the use of sprinkler systems.  As of this week, the New Bedford Fire Department’s enforcement program has resulted in —

• 6 operators having fully completed sprinkler system installations;
• 5 operators deciding to cease or reduce operations as rooming houses so that their facilities are no longer subject to the state sprinkler requirement;
• 6 operators currently installing sprinkler systems; and
• 2 operators facing court action brought by the City for their failure to respond to City directives.

In addition, since March 2023 the Fire Department’s Fire Prevention Bureau conducted inspections of 14 other rooming houses with existing sprinkler systems.  Fire Inspectors verified that these existing systems were in good working order.  The Fire Prevention Bureau is continuing its close scrutiny of rooming houses in New Bedford, with rooming houses periodically checked for compliance with all life safety code requirements.

“Rooming houses pose a unique set of fire safety challenges, and we must take extra steps to keep their occupants safe,” said Mayor Jon Mitchell. “I am grateful for the work our code enforcement team and the fire department did to make that happen.”

“Our progress is a reflection of the dedication and professionalism of Captain Kurt Houghton and his team of Fire Inspectors, and their effective collaboration with other City Departments, including Inspectional Services, the Mayor’s Housing Task Force, the Health Department, and the Solicitor’s Office.  It has been a team effort to hold rooming house operators accountable, and I am proud of the role that the Fire Department has played,” said Fire Chief Scott Kruger.

OVERVIEW OF CITY’S 19 UN-SPRINKLERED ROOMING HOUSE OPERATORS

6 Locations With Fully Completed Sprinkler System Installations (Since March 2023)

116 County Street

485 County Street

45 Morgan Street

162 Sawyer Street

39 Sycamore Street

192 Walnut Street

5 Locations That Have Ceased Or Reduced Operations (No Longer Subject To State Law)

138 Deane Street

234 Earle Street

152 Williams Street

371 County Street

110 Eighth Street

6 Locations Actively Installing Sprinkler Systems

201-203 Ashley Boulevard

549 County Street

147 Eighth Street

49 North Street

550 County Street

134 Deane Street

2 Locations With Operators Facing Court Action

237 Collette Street

639 County Street

14 Locations With Existing Sprinkler Systems (Which Have Been Re-Inspected)