HBRAMA Member Benefit # Building Code Consultation ## Get your building code questions answered by local experts. Code questions cost time and money. A provision can be interpreted one way at design but another way at inspection, and your job stops while it gets sorted out. Through our partnership with Mass Construction Consultants, Inc., members of HBRAMA can get clarity on a building code question before it becomes a major issue or delay. About Mass Construction Consultants ### Meet your code consultants. Mass Construction Consultants, Inc. provides building code and NFPA 241 consulting and construction education to contractors and building professionals across Massachusetts. Learn more at [their website](https://massconstruction.org/). - ### Michael Yanovitch Code Consultant Code Consultant ## Michael Yanovitch Mike has a background in the trades and 18 years of municipal experience working as a building official and commissioner in multiple municipalities. Currently he consults on building code, fire code, accessibility and construction fire safety for commercial and residential projects. - ### Joseph Kelly Code Consultant Code Consultant ## Joseph Kelly Joe is a former Superintendent, Building Official and Staff member for code-related issues at AGC of Massachusetts. He currently runs Mass Construction Consultants, which specializes in building code and NFPA 241 consulting as well as corporate construction education. ### What's included? Each member can bring a code question to Mass Construction Consultants for **up to one hour of consultation** at no cost. Use it for: - **Clarification.** You are not sure what a provision requires or how it applies to your project. - **A second opinion.** You have received a reading of the code and want an independent, experienced view before you proceed. - **Interpretation.** You need help understanding how a provision is likely to be applied in practice. **Areas Joe and Mike cover:** - Massachusetts State Building Code (780 CMR), residential and commercial - Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code (527 CMR) - Accessibility requirements (521 CMR, Architectural Access Board) - Construction fire safety and NFPA 241 plans ### How it works. **1. Send your question.** Email . Include your name, company, local chapter, the town where the project is located, and the code section or issue in question. Drawings, photos, or inspection notes help. **2. A consultant follows up.** Joe or Mike will reply to schedule a call or respond in writing, depending on the question. **3. Get your answer.** Your consultation covers up to one hour. If the issue needs more time, you can engage Mass Construction Consultants directly. FAQ ### Frequently Asked Questions #### Who can use this benefit? Any member in good standing of one of HBRAMA's [five local associations](https://hbrama.com/local-associations). #### How much does it cost? Up to one hour of consultation is included with your membership. Additional time is billed directly by Mass Construction Consultants. #### Can they tell me whether my project will pass inspection? No one can guarantee that except your local building official. What Joe and Mike can do is explain how a provision is written and how it is commonly applied, so you go into the inspection prepared. #### Do they handle residential questions? Yes. Both consultants work on residential and commercial projects. #### How do I ask a code question for my project? Send an email to and include your name, company, local chapter, the project's town, the specific code section or issue, and any drawings, photos, or inspector notes you have. #### What is excluded from the consultation? Your consultation does not include site visits, inspections, written work products (meaning interpretations on Mass Construction Consultants, Inc. letterhead) or ability to use, cite, or reference the name of the organization or its principals.