New Hot Work Tracking Law Increases Compliance and Public Transparency
In June, Governor Maura Healey has signed Chapter 114 of the Acts of 2026 into law, creating a new statewide system to track and publicly report fire code violations related to hot work activities, including welding, cutting, grinding, and other work that generates heat, sparks, or open flames.
The law directs the Department of Fire Services, in coordination with the Division of Occupational Licensure and local fire officials, to collect and publish information on written fire code violations and fines, with particular attention to violations involving hot work training certifications, certification requirements, and permit compliance. The department will also establish a publicly accessible database capable of automatically notifying affected property owners and insurance companies when violations are issued.
For NECA contractors, the new law reinforces the importance of maintaining proper hot work certifications, ensuring employees are appropriately trained, and following all required permitting procedures before performing hot work. As violation data will now be publicly available, compliance will carry increased visibility for contractors, customers, property owners, and insurers alike.
The original version of the legislation included criminal penalties for certain violations, but those provisions were removed before final passage. Governor Healey signed the bill into law on June 26, 2026, and NECA Boston will continue to monitor the Department of Fire Services' implementation of the new reporting system and share additional guidance as it becomes available.