The former Sargent Mill has been cited for more than 20 fire and building code violations following an inspection by local and state inspectors last week.
Chris Franklin, the owner of the buildings at of 69 Broadway Street, has until June 17 to submit a fire- and life-safety analysis to the state fire marshal and to bring the Graniteville buildings up to code.
"It is the fire marshal's opinion that the numerous fire and building code violations do affect the occupants' safety," said Fire Chief Richard Rochon. "Because of the way that the sprinkler system has fallen into disrepair and because of the hazards, it is their opinion that the sprinkler system would not adequately protect the facility in the event of a fire."
The Westford Fire Department cited four major violations under state law for faulty sprinkler systems, performing work within the building without permits, improper storage of flammable materials and excessive accumulation of combustibles like paints and varnishes.
Rochon said there are a number of issues with sprinkler system that could impair its effectiveness in the case of a fire.
"When you have an older system like that, it requires a lot more care and maintenance," said Rochon. "That's why it is important to have a sprinkler company come in annually to identify and rectify those issues instead of getting into a situation like this."
Westford Fire Prevention Officer Donald Parsons said Monday that flammable materials have already been placed in proper storage cabinets.
"So far Mr. Franklin has been showing efforts to comply," said Parsons. "What he has in front of him is very serous if he doesn't follow through."
The state fire marshal has given Franklin 30 days to hire a registered fire protection engineer to complete a fire/life safety analysis of the building. The Fire Department has issued the same deadline for completing the annual inspection for the sprinkler system and bringing the buildings up to code
Franklin could be subject to fines and/or court action if he does not comply with the orders.
Inspectors first went into the mill to perform what's known as a life-safety inspection about two weeks ago after a business owner applied for an occupancy permit, according to Parsons.
Inspectors subsequently found that Ancom Custom Cabinets was allegedly operating a paint booth with inadequate ventilation and that parts of the sprinkler system had been severed and capped.
An immediate cease-and-desist order was issued by the Building Department.
Cease-and-desist orders were also issued for three other tenants last Thursday including the Boston Kung Fu Tai Chi Institute and for other portions of the building where code violations were found.
Properly permitted businesses will be allowed to stay in operation pending the outcome of the inspection and life-safety analysis, Rochon said.