Definitions

Section 1. In this chapter the following terms, unless a contrary meaning is required by the context or is specifically prescribed, shall have the following meanings:

"Alteration," changes in or addition to a building.

"Department," department of public safety.

"Inspector," an inspector of the division of inspection of the department of public safety, except that in sections thirty-four to thirty-eight, inclusive, "inspector" shall include the inspectors of the building department of Boston and in sections sixty-three to sixty-six, inclusive, "inspector" shall include a building inspector of a city or town.

"Inspector of buildings," a building inspector of a city or town.

"Miscellaneous hall" a building or part thereof containing an assembly hall with a seating capacity of not more than four hundred, a society hall, or a hall in a public or private school building.

"Public building," any building or part thereof used as a public or private institution, schoolhouse, church, theatre, special hall, public hall, miscellaneous hall, place of assemblage or place of public resort.

"Public hall," any building or part thereof, except theatres, armories, churches and schools, containing an assembly hall with a seating capacity of more than four hundred and used for public gatherings and for such entertainments, not requiring the use of scenery and other stage appliances, as the licensing officer may approve.

"Repair," the reconstruction or renewal of a building or part thereof damaged by fire or other cause.

"Special hall," a building or part thereof containing an assembly hall with a seating capacity of more than four hundred which may be used for occasional performances for the entertainment of spectators, with the use of scenery under such conditions as the licensing officer shall direct and for public gatherings.

"Story," any horizontal portion through a building between floor and ceiling of which the ceiling is six feet or more above the average grade of the sidewalk or ground adjoining.

"Supervisor of plans," an inspector of the division of inspection of the department of public safety designated by the commissioner of public safety to receive the plans and specifications of all buildings subject to this chapter, to be erected or in which alterations are to be made, and to act officially upon them under the direction of the chief of inspections of the department of public safety.

"Theatre," a building or part thereof in which it is intended to make a business of the presentation of performances for the entertainment of spectators, which has a seating capacity of more than four hundred, with a stage which can be used for scenery and other stage appliances.

[R.L. 104, Sect. 14; 1904, c. 450, Sect. 1; 1913, c. 610, Sect. 2; c. 655, Sects. 14, 30, 39, 41; c. 806, Sect. 1.]