# Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 4: Persons authorized to enter and inspect premises; inspections of institutions; reports > Massachusetts · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S4 ## Section - **Citation:** Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 4 - **Heading:** Persons authorized to enter and inspect premises; inspections of institutions; reports - **Jurisdiction:** Massachusetts - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** MA Code / Part I / Title XX / Chapter 148 / Section 4 ## Text Section 4. The marshal, the head of the fire department, or any person to whom the marshal or the head of the fire department may delegate the authority, may, in the performance of the duties imposed by this chapter, or in furtherance of the purpose of any provision of any law, ordinance or by-law relating to the subject matter of this chapter, or of any rule or regulation of the board of fire prevention regulations, established under section four of chapter twenty-two D, in this chapter referred to as the board, or any order of the marshal or head of the fire department, enter at any reasonable hour any building or other premises, or any ship or vessel, to make inspection or investigation, without being held or deemed to be guilty of trespass. The marshal or the head of a fire department to whom he may delegate authority, shall make an inspection every three months of institutions as defined by the state building code, licensed by and under the supervision of the department of public health, or licensed by the department of public welfare, and shall make a report of such inspection to each such department on forms submitted to the marshal by such department for this purpose. Said marshal of such head of a fire department shall also make an inspection every three months of the premises specified in innholder's licenses issued under chapter one hundred and forty. Section 4. The marshal, the head of the fire department, or any person to whom the marshal or the head of the fire department may delegate the authority, may, in the performance of the duties imposed by this chapter, or in furtherance of the purpose of any provision of any law, ordinance or by-law relating to the subject matter of this chapter, or of any rule or regulation of the board of fire prevention regulations, established under section four of chapter twenty-two D, in this chapter referred to as the board, or any order of the marshal or head of the fire department, enter at any reasonable hour any building or other premises, or any ship or vessel, to make inspection or investigation, without being held or deemed to be guilty of trespass. The marshal or the head of a fire department to whom he may delegate authority, shall make an inspection every three months of institutions as defined by the state building code, licensed by and under the supervision of the department of public health, or licensed by the department of public welfare, and shall make a report of such inspection to each such department on forms submitted to the marshal by such department for this purpose. Said marshal of such head of a fire department shall also make an inspection every three months of the premises specified in innholder's licenses issued under chapter one hundred and forty. ## Nearby sections - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 1 Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S1.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 2 Investigations of fires or explosions by local officials; notice to marshal of suspicious origins or undetermined causes; reports; records](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S2.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 2A Notice of unauthorized ignition of fire within public or private schools or on school grounds; submission of report by school principal](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S2A.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 3 Investigations by marshal; examination of witnesses; perjury; criminal complaint; prosecutions; reports to commissioner of insurance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S3.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 4 Persons authorized to enter and inspect premises; inspections of institutions; reports](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S4.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 5 Investigation of premises and alleys as to fire hazards; remedy of conditions; expenses; penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S5.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 5A Unvented liquid fired space heaters; use or sale prohibited](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S5A.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 6 Neglect or refusal of officers to comply with duty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S6.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 7 Reports of marshal and commissioner of insurance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S7.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 8 Reports to heads of fire departments, insurance companies, property owners and other interested persons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S8.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 9 Regulations relating to explosives and inflammable materials; reports of quantities and locations; ordinances and by-laws](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S9.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 9A Model rocket engines; storage; manufacture; use; sale](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S9A.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 10 Regulations relative to fire prevention](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S10.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 10A Heads of fire departments; permits; inspections; records; fees; list of fire department heads](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S10A.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S4. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.