Massachusetts General Laws Part I. Administration of the Government (Ch. 1-182) Ch. 140, § 35

No such license shall be granted in any such city until the inspector of buildings thereof, or the other officer or board having authority to administer the laws and ordinances in regard to the construction of buildings therein, has certified that the building, if it has eight or more rooms or ten or more persons are accommodated above the second story, complies with the requirements of the state building code, and in other cases is provided with sufficient means of escape in case of fire, and that suitable appliances are provided for extinguishing fires and for giving alarm to the inmates in case of fire; and such officer or board may from time to time require such alterations to be made or such additional appliances to be provided as may in his or its judgment be necessary for the protection of life and property in case of fire.