450-RICR-00-00-8
450-RICR-00-00-8. RI Life Safety Code (version Technical Revision, 07/01/2021 to 01/04/2022)
8.1 Introduction
Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws §
23-28.3-3, the Life Safety Code of the National Fire Protection
Association, Inc., (NFPA 101), 2018 edition, with annexes, except
those portions specifically reserved, deleted, altered, added to, or
otherwise amended as outlined in Part 8 herein, and including all of
the specific amendments to NFPA 101, as outlined in Part 8 herein, is
hereby adopted by reference as the Rhode Island Life Safety Code.
Copies of NFPA 101, 2018 edition, are available from the National
Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy,
Massachusetts 02169-7471. The National Fire Protection Association’s
telephone number is 617-770-0700. Copies of NFPA 101, 2015 edition,
have also been made available to state-operated libraries in Rhode
Island.
Electronic copies of the
reservations, deletions, alterations, additions and other amendments
to this code, also known as the Rhode Island Fire Code Section 8,
will be initially made available on the Fire Board’s website at
http://www.fsc.ri.gov/.
Copies shall subsequently be available from LexisNexis/Matthew Bender
& Co., 701 E. Water Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902. The
LexisNexis telephone number is 1-800-446-3410.
The State Fire Marshal is the
sole authority having jurisdiction for the strict enforcement of the
Rhode Island Life Safety Code. The Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal
and Review is the sole authority having jurisdiction for
administration of the Rhode Island Life Safety Code.
Except as outlined below, the
Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review is the sole authority
having jurisdiction to grant variances, waivers and amendments from,
or to review and accept any proposed fire safety equivalencies and
alternatives to, the strict adherence to the provisions of the Rhode
Island Life Safety Code and all referenced standards therein.
Notwithstanding the above, the State Fire Marshal and his or her
designees are hereby authorized to approve dimensional relief within
the egress systems of any existing building in accordance with NFPA
101 and its annexes. Such dimensional relief shall be known as “AHJ
modifications”. All “AHJ modifications” must be in
writing and submitted to the State Fire Marshal's Office for
recording. Once recorded by the State Fire Marshal's Office, the “AHJ
modification” shall remain as permanent relief for the building
as long as the use and/or occupancy of the building remains the same.
Any change of use and/or occupancy shall subject the building to
review under the relevant codes and reconsideration of the “AHJ
modification” in light of the new use or occupancy.
For the purposes of uniform
administration, and with the exception of “AHJ modifications”
as outlined above, all other exceptions listed in the Rhode Island
Life Safety Code and its referenced standards, allowing for a
discretionary waiver by the authority having jurisdiction, shall be
referred directly to the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review
as outlined in § 1.7.1(A)
of this Subchapter et seq . The only official formal and
binding interpretations of the provisions of the Rhode Island Life
Safety Code and its referenced standards are those approved and
published by the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review pursuant
to the procedures outlined in §
1.7.1(C) of this Subchapter et seq .
All new buildings and
structures, for which a building permit was issued on or after July
1, 2021, shall be subject to the provisions of the Rhode Island Life
Safety Code addressing the new occupancy unless this requirement is
specifically modified by the issuance of a blanket variance by the
Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review to allow a grace period
for plans, submitted after the above date, to be reviewed under the
prior Code.
All existing buildings and
structures, and those buildings and structures for which a building
permit was issued prior to July 1, 2021, shall be subject to the
provisions of the Rhode Island Life Safety Code addressing the
existing occupancy.
Any existing building or
structure, subject to the provisions of the Rehabilitation Building
and Fire Code for existing Buildings and Structures, shall also
comply with the existing occupancy provisions of the Rhode Island
Life Safety Code addressing the current or proposed occupancy.
All existing required
protection systems, such as sprinklers, fire alarms, emergency
lighting and exit signs, installed in existing buildings, shall
continue to be properly maintained. Non-required systems shall either
be maintained, have the devices removed, or marked, to the
satisfaction of the AHJ, so as to notify the public as the absence of
these systems. Prior to the removal or marking of any non-required
system, the system’s owner must first comply with the
procedures outlined in § 4.6.12.2.1 of this Code. The above
marking of any de-activated system shall be at the direction and to
the satisfaction of the State Fire Marshal or his or her designee
The provisions of NFPA 101,
2018 edition, as amended and referenced below, and incorporated
herein as the “Rhode Island Life Safety Code”, shall be
preceded by the acronym “RILSC”. All of the remaining
provisions of NFPA 101, 2018 edition, adopted as the “Rhode
Island Life Safety Code”, but not specifically addressed below,
shall likewise be identified by the acronym “RILSC”
preceding it. (Accordingly, “Chapter 1” below would be
identified as “RILSC 1”. Likewise, “§ 1.1.2”
below would be identified as “as RILSC 1.1.2”.)
8.1.1 CHAPTER 1 –
ADMINISTRATION
1.1 Scope
(Amd)
1.1.1 Title.
The
Title of this Code shall be known as the “Rhode Island Life
Safety Code,” is cited as such, and shall be referred to herein
as “this Code” or “the Code.”
(Add) 1.1.1.2 Relationship to
other fire codes.
The “Rhode Island Life
Safety Code” (NFPA 101, 2018 Edition, as amended) and the
“Rhode Island Fire Code” (NFPA 1, 2018 Edition, as
amended) comprise the “Rhode Island Fire Safety Code”
pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-28.1-2.
The “Rhode Island Life
Safety Code” is the major component of the “Rhode Island
Fire Safety Code” which includes all other statutory mandates
found in R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 23-28 along with any additional Rules
and Regulations adopted, by the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and
Review, pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 23-28.3-3 and
23-28.1-2.
1.3 Application
(Amd) 1.3.1 New and Existing
Buildings and Structures.
The Code shall apply to both
new construction and existing buildings and structures. All new
buildings and structures, for which a building permit was issued on
or after July 1, 2021, shall be subject to the provisions of Rhode
Island Fire Safety Code addressing the new occupancy. All existing
buildings and structures, and those buildings and structures for
which a building permit was issued prior to July 1, 2021, shall be
subject to the provisions of the Rhode Island Fire Safety Code
addressing the existing occupancy. Any existing building or
structure, subject to the provisions of the Rehabilitation Building
and Fire Code for Existing Buildings and Structures, shall also
comply with the existing occupancy provisions of the Rhode Island
Fire Safety Code addressing the current or proposed occupancy. All
active fire protection systems, such as sprinklers, fire alarms,
emergency lighting and exit signs, installed in existing buildings
shall be properly maintained.
(Amd) 1.4 Equivalency.
Nothing
in this Code is intended to prevent the use of systems, methods, or
devices of equivalent or superior quality, strength, fire resistance,
effectiveness, durability, and safety over those prescribed by this
code provided that any proposed equivalent systems, methods and
devices are first approved by the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal
and Review.
(Amd) 1.4.2 Approval.
The system, method, or device
shall be approved for the intended purpose by the Fire Safety Code
Board of Appeal and Review.
(Amd) 1.4.3 Equivalent
Compliance.
Alternative systems, methods,
or devices approved as equivalent by the Fire Safety Code Board of
Appeal and Review shall be recognized as being in compliance with
this code.
(Amd) 1.6 Enforcement and
Administration.
(Add) 1.6.1 Enforcement.
The State Fire Marshal is the
sole authority having jurisdiction for the strict enforcement of the
provisions of this Code. The State Fire Marshal shall have authority
to appoint and certify as many Deputy State Fire Marshals and
Assistant Deputy State Fire Marshals as are deemed necessary to
strictly enforce the provisions of this Code. All such Deputy State
Fire Marshals and Assistant Deputy State Fire Marshals maintain their
certification at the pleasure of the State Fire Marshal. Accordingly,
all Deputy State Fire Marshals and Assistant Deputy State Fire
Marshals shall be allowed to enforce this code as long as they
maintain their certification in the above positions by the State Fire
Marshal.
(Add) 1.6.1.1 Modifications.
The State Fire Marshal and
his or her designees are hereby authorized to approve dimensional
relief within the egress systems of any existing building in
accordance with NFPA 101 and its annexes. Such dimensional relief
shall be known as “AHJ modifications”. All “AHJ
modifications” must be in writing and submitted to the State
Fire Marshal's Office for approval and recording. Once approved and
recorded by the State Fire Marshal's Office, the “AHJ
modification” shall remain as permanent relief for the building
as long as the use and/or occupancy of the building remains the same.
Any change of use and/or occupancy shall subject the building to
review under the relevant codes and reconsideration of the “AHJ
modification” in light of the new use or occupancy.
(Add) 1.6.2 Administration.
The Fire Safety Code Board of
Appeal and Review is the sole authority having jurisdiction for
administration of this Code. Accordingly, the Fire Safety Code Board
of Appeal and Review is the sole authority having jurisdiction to
grant variances, waivers and amendments from, or to review and accept
any proposed fire safety equivalencies and alternatives to, the
strict adherence to the provisions of this Code and all referenced
standards herein. For purposes of uniform administration, all
exceptions listed in this Code, and its referenced standards,
allowing for a discretionary waiver by the authority having
jurisdiction, shall be referred directly to the Fire Safety Code
Board of Appeal and Review as outlined in §
1.7.1 of this Subchapter, et seq .
(Add) 1.6.2.1
Procedures, adopted by the
Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review, addressing
administrative appeals, are outlined in §§ 1.7.1(A)
through (L) of this Subchapter.
(Add) 1.6.2.2
Procedures, adopted by the
Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review, addressing
administrative hearings and court appeals, are outlined in §§
1.7.2(A)
through (BB) of this Subchapter.
(Add) 1.6.2.3
Procedures, adopted by the
Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review, addressing the Board’s
rule making authority, are outlined in §§ 1.7.3(A)
through (E) of this Subchapter.
(Add) 1.6.2.4
Procedures, adopted by the
Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review, addressing code
interpretation by the board, are outlined in §§ 1.7.4(A)
through (G) of this Subchapter.
(Add) 1.6.3
Police and other enforcement
agencies shall have authority to render necessary assistance in the
enforcement of this Code when expressly requested to do so by the
State Fire Marshal.
(Add) 1.6.4
The State Fire Marshal may
delegate to other qualified individuals such powers as are necessary
for the proper enforcement of the Code. The Fire Safety Code Board of
Appeal and Review may delegate to its appointed staff such powers as
are necessary for the proper administration of this Code.
(Add) 1.6.5
The State Fire Marshal is
authorized to inspect, at all reasonable times, any building or
premises for dangerous or hazardous conditions or materials as set
forth in this Code and the general provisions of the Fire Safety
Code. The State Fire Marshal may order any person(s) to remove or
remedy such dangerous or hazardous condition or material. Any
person(s) failing to comply with such an order shall be in violation
of the Fire Safety Code. Any person so charged with a violation of
this Code shall have the right to appeal the order of the State Fire
Marshal to the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review. An appeal
shall automatically stay the State Fire Marshal’s order.
However, where the State Fire Marshal, or his or her designee,
advises that such an automatic stay would endanger the public and/or
the owner’s tenants or employees, the Chairperson of the Board,
or his or her designee, may, for such good cause shown, suspend the
automatic stay of the State Fire Marshal's order pending review by
the full board.
(Add) 1.6.6. Abatement.
The State Fire Marshal, or
his or her designee within the division, or an Assistant Deputy State
Fire Marshal in accordance with the guidelines established by the
State Fire Marshal, has the authority to summarily abate any
condition which presents immediate danger to life. The conditions
that present an “immediate danger to life” are outlined
under the definition of “abatement or to abate a condition”
found in Fire Safety Code § 1.5
of this Subchapter. A failure to abate a condition that presents a
clear and immediate danger to life shall be grounds for the person
issuing the order to abate, to require that the premises be vacated.
Any such order to vacate the premises shall be either approved in
writing by the State Fire Marshal or a designee of the State Fire
Marshal who has been given advanced written authority by the State
Fire Marshal to approve such actions.
(Add) 1.7
When
a conflict between the language of the original 2018 Edition of NFPA
101-Life Safety Code and any specific Rhode Island amendment occurs,
the conflict shall initially be resolved by the Office of the State
Fire Marshal.
8.1.2 CHAPTER 2 –
REFERENCED PUBLICATIONS
(Amd) 2.2
NFPA
70 ® , National Electrical Code ® ,
2020 edition, as adopted, reserved and amended by the State Building
Code Standards Committee as the Rhode Island Electrical Code (SBC-5),
510-RICR-00-00-5 .
NFPA
72 ® , National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code ,
2019 edition. Any conflict or citation inconsistency with the
provisions of this edition and references to the 2016 edition, shall
be resolved in favor of the most stringent requirement as determined
by the State Fire Marshal subject to appeal to the Fire Safety Code
Board of Appeal and Review.
(Res)
NFPA 720, Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO)
Detection and Warning Equipment, 2015 edition. This standard was
withdrawn by NFPA on August 14, 2018 and the requirements
incorporated into NFPA 72, 2019 edition.
8.1.3 CHAPTER 3 –
DEFINITIONS
(Amd) 3.3.37.3 Apartment
Building.
A
building or portion thereof containing four (4) or more dwelling
units with independent cooking and bathroom facilities.
(Add)
3.3.173.1
Congregate
Family Living Facility: A building or part thereof that contains
sleeping rooms where residents share the entire house and live, cook
and function together as a single housekeeping unit.
(Add) 3.4 Rhode Island
Specific Definitions
(Add) 3.4.1 Abatement or to
Abate a condition: Abatement, or to abate a condition, is the
reduction, decrease, or diminution of a hazardous condition that
presents immediate danger to life. The term "immediate"
denotes that action is or must be taken either instantly or without
any considerable loss of time. The condition may be singular or may
be a set of conditions that in combination present an “immediate
danger to life.” Such conditions, that present an “immediate
danger to life,” shall include improper management or use of
flammable and combustible materials, liquids and gases, pyrotechnics,
fireworks or explosives, malfunctioning automatic sprinklers, fire
alarms and emergency lighting, malfunctioning heating and electrical
systems, blocked or inadequate exits or means of egress, the
overcrowding of assembly occupancies and such other conditions as may
be established by the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review.
(Add) 3.4.2 Reserved.
(Add) 3.4.3 Authority Having
Jurisdiction (Enforcement). Unless specifically defined to the
contrary in this code, the authority having jurisdiction for the
enforcement of this code shall be the State Fire Marshal. The State
Fire Marshal may delegate this enforcement authority to any Deputy
State Fire Marshal or Assistant Deputy State Fire Marshal that he or
she certifies and appoints pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws §
23-28.2-1 et seq . However, as a condition of their continued
certification, all such appointed Deputy State Fire Marshals and
Assistant Deputy State Fire Marshals shall apply the Code,
consistently and uniformly across the State, under the guidance of
the State Fire Marshal.
(Add) 3.4.4 Bed and Breakfast
Home. An owner and/or innkeeper occupied building that provides
sleeping accommodations for up to sixteen (16) guests. Every “Bed
and Breakfast Home” must further have originated as a private
home and must have at least three hundred (300) square feet of common
space (i.e., dining room, living room, etc.) for guest use, and must
further provide breakfast. Finally, the owner and/or innkeeper must
occupy the building twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a
week, while guests are utilizing the facility. The owner and/or
innkeeper of the Bed and Breakfast Home shall have a plan of action,
approved by the local official, to assure the safety of the guests in
the event the owner or innkeeper is required to temporarily leave the
facility unsupervised for limited periods during the day.
(Add) 3.4.5 Certificate of
Occupancy. After the building official inspects the building or
structure and, after consultation with the AHJ enforcing the
provisions of this Code, finds no violations of the provisions of
this Code or other laws that are enforced by the department of
building safety, the building official issues an official document
known as a “certificate of occupancy” that generally
contains the following:
1. The building permit number.
2. The address of the
structure.
3. The name and address of the
owner.
4. A description of that
portion of the structure for which the certificate is issued.
5. A statement that the
described portion of the structure has been inspected for compliance
with the requirements of this Code for the occupancy and division of
occupancy and the use for which the proposed occupancy is classified.
6. The name of the building
official.
7. The edition of the code
under which the permit was issued.
8. The use and occupancy, in
accordance with the provisions of the State Building Code.
9. The type of construction as
defined in the State Building Code.
10. The design occupant load.
11. If an automatic sprinkler
system is provided, whether the sprinkler system is required.
12. Any special stipulations
and conditions of the building permit.
(Add) 3.4.6 Citation System:
A system of enforcement outlined in R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-28.2-14.
(Res) 3.4.7
(Add) 3.4.8 Compliance Order:
For the purposes of this Code, a compliance order is defined as a
command or direction authoritatively given to a building owner or
occupant to provide conformance with the Fire Safety Code. A
compliance order takes effect when a building owner or occupant,
after proper notice, has exhausted his/her administrative appeals or
has failed to avail himself/herself of appropriate administrative
appeals within a reasonable period of time after receiving proper
notice.
(Add) 3.4.9 Emergency Shelter
Occupancy: An occupancy or portion thereof used on a temporary basis
to provide sleeping accommodations for transient or displaced
individuals who have no other shelter arrangements during periods of
severe weather or during the aftermath of a natural or man-made
disaster.
(Add) 3.4.10 Family Day Care
Home. The term "family day care home" means any home other
than the child's home in which child day care in lieu of parental
care and/or supervision is offered at the same time to at least four
(4) but not more than eight (8) children who are not relatives of the
care giver, and which is licensed by the State Department of
Children, Youth, and Families and subject to the Department's
Regulations.
(Add) 3.4.11 Funeral
Establishment: An assembly occupancy, as defined by R.I. Gen. Laws §
5-33.2-1(11) as a “fixed place, establishment or premises,
licensed by the Department of Health, devoted to the activities which
are incident, convenient, or related to the care and preparation,
arrangement, financial and otherwise, for the funeral,
transportation, burial or other disposition of human bodies and
including, but not limited to, a suitable room with all instruments
and supplies used for the storage and/or preparation of dead human
bodies for burial or other disposition.”
(Add) 3.4.12 Organized Dining
Facility. A place of public accommodation which is characterized as a
facility where private events are held and where the primary source
of revenue, in general, is derived from rental charges for use of the
facility and service of food. Such a facility shall not provide for
cover charges or have as a primary attraction any event where
entertainment is provided by a live band or recorded music. Such a
facility primarily provides for organized banquets, private parties,
fund raisers, wedding receptions, ceremonial events and the like.
(Add) 3.4.13 Nightclub: A
place of public accommodation, which in general is characterized by
all of the following:
1. Provides entertainment by a
live band or recorded music generating above normal sound levels.
2. Has as its primary source
of revenue, in general, the sale of beverages of any kind for
consumption on the premises and/or cover charges. Food, if served, is
considered a secondary attraction.
3. Has an occupant load in
total or in any single area or room of at least one hundred (100)
patrons.
Nothing in this definition
shall be construed to include any place of public accommodation or
any event within a place of public accommodation, which is in its
nature distinctly private.
(Add) 3.4.14 Place of
Worship: A building or structure, or an area thereof, the occupancy
of which is for the religious rites and services and communal
functions of a congregation, and which shall include sanctuaries,
gathering halls, meeting rooms and offices and related facilities of
the congregation, which may be located in the same, in connected, or
in proximate structures.
(Add) 3.4.15 Suspended
Ceiling: A ceiling system consisting of a grid of channels or
“T-bars” suspended from the structure above for readily
removable acoustical tiles or lay- in panels.
(Add) 3.4.16 Reserved.
(Add) 3.4.17 Three Family
Apartment Building.
A building or portion thereof
containing three (3) dwelling units with independent cooking and
bathroom facilities. This Code shall provide reasonable standards for
the installation of smoke and carbon monoxide detection in three (3)
family apartment buildings.
8.1.4 CHAPTER 4 –
General
(Add) 4.6.9.3
The
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for the enforcement of this Code
may approve the issuance of a temporary certificate of occupancy
(TCO) by the building official provided the major life safety systems
(sprinkler, fire alarm, approved egress system, etc.) are operational
in the area of the building to be so occupied. The AHJ is further
authorized to require any additional safeguards he or she deems
necessary to ensure the life safety of the temporary occupants.
(Add)
4.6.12.2.1 Existing fire protection systems, or portions thereof,
shall only be removed in accordance with the following procedure:
1. The building owner shall
request that the State Fire Marshal or local AHJ conduct a full
inspection of the facility to determine whether the fire protection
system is currently required and if there are any other Fire Code
deficiencies in the subject facility. All such deficiencies must be
corrected before removing or modifying the fire protection system.
2. The State Fire Marshal or
the local AHJ conducting the full inspection shall further advise the
owner if any variances, previously granted, would be voided in the
absence of the fire protection system. If such variances were
granted, the owner must either correct the underlying deficiencies,
or secure additional relief from the Fire Board, before removing or
modifying the fire protection system.
8.1.5 CHAPTER 5 –
PERFORMANCE-BASED OPTIONS
(No Modifications)
8.1.6 CHAPTER 6 –
CLASSIFICATION OF OCCUPANCY AND HAZARD OF CONTENTS
(Amd)
6.1.8.1.5 Definition – Apartment Building. A building or
portion thereof containing four (4) or more dwelling units with
independent cooking and bathroom facilities.
(Add)
6.1.14.3.2.1 The minimum separate safeguards are as follows:
1. No dwelling unit of a
residential occupancy shall have its sole means of egress pass
through any nonresidential occupancy in the same building unless both
of the following conditions exist:
a) Where the building is
protected throughout by an approved, automatic sprinkler system in
accordance with § 9.7 OR the sole means of egress from the
dwelling unit of the residential occupancy to the exterior shall be
separated from the remainder of the building by fire barriers having
a minimum one (1) hour fire resistance rating.
b) The sole means of egress
from the dwelling unit of the residential occupancy shall not pass
through a high hazard contents area, as defined in § 6.2.2.4.
2. Dwelling units of a
residential occupancy shall be permitted to be located above a
nonresidential occupancy only where one of the following conditions
exists:
a) Where the dwelling unit of
the residential occupancy and exits therefrom are separated from the
nonresidential occupancy by construction having a fire resistance
rating of not less than one (1) hour.
b) Where the nonresidential
occupancy is protected throughout by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with § 9.7.
c) Where the building is
protected throughout by an automatic fire detection system in
accordance with § 9.6.
(Add) 6.1.14.4.7
§
6.1.14.4 shall not be construed as to require that any or all
occupancies be separated. These sections simply establish the
separation requirements necessary if a building owner chooses to have
a portion of the building not comply with the most restrictive
requirements of the occupancies involved. All non-separated
occupancies are mixed occupancies, as defined in § 6.1.14.2.2,
and must comply with the provisions of this Code covering mixed
occupancies.
8.1.7 CHAPTER 7 –
MEANS OF EGRESS
(Amd)
7.2.2.4.5.5 New handrails shall be installed to provide a clearance
of not less than one and one half inch (1 ½”) (38 mm)
between the handrail and the wall to which it is fastened.
(Add) 7.2.8.9 Maintenance
(Add) 7.2.8.9.1 All fire
escape stairs shall be maintained in good physical repair and remain
useable at all times.
(Add) 7.2.8.9.2 Maintenance
of fire escape stairs shall include:
1. Exit access shall remain
clear and unobstructed at all times.
2. All moving parts shall
remain operable at all times.
3. All structural members
including landings, railings, stair components, handrails, guards,
and support or mounting components shall be free of rust and
corrosion.
4. All surfaces subject to
corrosion shall be painted.
(Add) 7.2.8.9.3 Fire escape
stairs that are not properly maintained and show signs of structural
instability shall be repaired prior to continued use. All repairs
shall be inspected by a person or firm acceptable to the State Fire
Marshal.
(Add)
7.2.9.4 Maintenance
(Add) 7.2.9.4.1 All fire
escape ladders shall be maintained in good physical repair and remain
useable at all times.
(Add) 7.2.9.4.2 Maintenance
of fire escape ladders shall include:
1. Exit access shall remain
clear and unobstructed at all times.
2. All moving parts shall
remain operable at all times.
3. All structural members
including landings, railings, stair components, handrails, guards,
and support or mounting components shall be free of rust and
corrosion.
4. All surfaces subject to
corrosion shall be painted.
(Add) 7.2.9.4.3 Fire escape
ladders that are not properly maintained and show signs of structural
instability shall be repaired prior to continued use. All repairs
shall be inspected by a person or firm acceptable to the State Fire
Marshal.
8.1.8 CHAPTER 8 –
FEATURES OF FIRE PROTECTION
(No
Modifications)
8.1.9 CHAPTER 9 –
BUILDING SERVICE AND FIRE PROTECTION EQUIPMENT
(Amd)
9.1.3.2
New
generator controllers shall be monitored by the fire alarm system,
where provided, or at a location approved by the AHJ, for the
following conditions:
1. Generator running
2. Generator fault
3. Generator switch in
non-automatic position
Exception:
A generator remote annunciator may be installed adjacent to the fire
alarm control unit or fire alarm remote annunciator with the approval
of the AHJ to satisfy this requirement.
(Add)
9.1.3.3 Where a building fire alarm system is provided, existing
emergency generators shall be monitored by the fire alarm system for
generator running.
Exception: A generator remote
annunciator may be installed adjacent to the fire alarm control unit
or fire alarm remote annunciator with the approval of the AHJ to
satisfy this requirement.
(Add)
9.2.3.1 Any business that is open less than six (6) months a year
shall be considered a seasonal business with low-volume cooking
operations and as such, shall be exempt from the semiannual
maintenance requirements of 96:11.4 and shall only be required to
perform said maintenance annually prior to reopening for the season.
(Add)
9.2.5 Where a building fire alarm system is provided, it shall be
interconnected to the building’s heating, ventilating and air
conditioning (HVAC) line voltage controls so that any individual fan
supplying two thousand (2,000) ft³/min. (cfm) (56.63 m³/min.)
or greater capacity of any ventilating system not used for
pressurization of a fire safe area shall automatically shut down any
time, other than drills or when testing, that any initiating device
connected to the fire alarm system is activated as provided in §
9.6.5.2 (6).
(Add)
9.2.5 The requirements of 9.2.5 may be modified or omitted in areas
where automatic shutdown may interfere with clean room operations,
temperature controlled environments protecting sensitive equipment,
or other building operations as approved by the authority having
jurisdiction.
(Amd)
9.4.2.1
Except
as modified herein, new elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, and
moving walks shall be in accordance with the requirements of ASME
A17.1/CSA B44, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators and the Rhode
Island Elevator Safety Code, 260-RICR-30-10-1 .
(Amd)
9.4.2.2
Except
as modified herein, existing elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, and
moving walks shall conform to the requirements of ASME A17.3, Safety
Code for Existing Elevators and Escalators and the Rhode Island
Elevator Safety Code, 260-RICR-30-10-1 .
(Amd) 9.4.2.3
Elevators
in accordance with ASME A17.1/CSA B44.7, Performance-Based Safety
Code for Elevators and Escalators, shall be deemed to comply with
ASME A17.1/CSA B44, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, or ASME
A17.3, Safety Code for Existing Elevators and Escalators and the
Rhode Island Elevator Safety Code, 260-RICR-30-10-1 .
(Amd) 9.4.3.2
All
existing elevators shall conform to the Fire Fighters’
Emergency Operations requirements of ASME A17.3, Safety Code for
Existing Elevators and Escalators and the Rhode Island Elevator
Safety Code, 260-RICR-30-10-1 .
(Amd)
9.4.6.1
Elevators
shall be subject to periodic inspections and tests as specified in
ASME A17.1/CSA B44, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators and the
Rhode Island Elevator Safety Code, 260-RICR-30-10-1 .
(Amd)
9.4.6.2
All
elevators equipped with fire fighters’ emergency operations in
accordance with § 9.4.3 shall be subject to a monthly operation
with a written record of the findings made and kept on the premises
as required by ASME A17.1/CSA B44, Safety Code for Elevators and
Escalators and the Rhode Island Elevator Safety Code,
260-RICR-30-10-1 .
(Amd)
9.4.6.3
The
elevator inspections and tests required by § 9.4.6.1 shall be
performed at frequencies complying with the Rhode Island Elevator
Safety Code, 260-RICR-30-10-1 .
(Add)
9.6.1.1.1
The
Authority having jurisdiction (AHJ), for the purpose of enforcing the
Rhode Island Life Safety Code, § 9.6 shall be the State Fire
Marshal or his or her designee and those parties certified by the
State Fire Marshal as prescribed by R.I. Gen. Laws §§
23-28.2-6 and 23-28.2-9.
(Amd)
9.6.1.3*
Where
required, a fire alarm system shall be installed, tested, and
maintained in accordance with the applicable requirements of this
Chapter, NFPA 70, National Electrical Code, and NFPA 72, National
Fire Alarm and Signaling Code. Any conflicts between the provisions
of this Chapter, as amended and NFPA 72 shall be resolved in favor of
the provisions of this Chapter as determined by the State Fire
Marshal.
(Add)
9.6.1.4.1
All
systems and components shall be approved for the purpose for which
they are installed, and listed or approved by a nationally recognized
testing laboratory.
(Amd)
9.6.1.5 Where a required fire alarm system is out of service for more
than four (4) hours in a twenty-four (24) hour period for repair,
maintenance or testing, the authority having jurisdiction shall be
notified, and the building impairment procedures shall comply with
NFPA 72.
(Add) 9.6.1.5.1 With the
written approval of, and subject to any additional safeguards
mandated by the AHJ, the fire alarm systems, or portions thereof may
be temporarily disabled for events or other occasions by qualified
personnel where environmental, mechanical or human factors would lead
to unnecessary nuisance, accidental or intentional false alarms.
(Add)
9.6.1.6 Whenever the terms “hardwired 120 vAC-powered”
“hard-wired” or “hardwired” are used in this
Code as it relates to the primary power supply for single or multiple
station smoke alarms or carbon monoxide (CO) alarms, the provisions
of § 72:29.9.1 (2019) shall apply.
(Add)
9.6.1.7 Whenever the term “wireless” is used in this Code
as it relates to household fire alarm systems and/or single or
multiple station alarms, it shall mean low-power radio (wireless) and
the provisions of 72:§ 29.10.8 (2019) shall apply.
(Add)
9.6.2.2.1
Manual
fire alarm boxes shall be double-action, key locked and shall be
keyed the same as the fire alarm control unit door lock. Manual fire
alarm boxes shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 72.
(Add) 9.6.2.2.1.1
Existing single-action manual
fire alarm boxes that are provided with listed protective covers,
with or without a local signal, may be continued in use and deemed
compliant with the double-action requirement of § 9.6.2.2.1.
(Add)
9.6.2.2.2
Manual
fire alarm boxes, new and existing, used in systems not equipped for
emergency forces notification shall be marked “In case of
emergency, pull handle, then call 9-1-1”.
(Amd)
9.6.2.8 Where a sprinkler system provides automatic detection and
alarm system initiation, it shall be provided with an approved alarm
initiation device that operates within ninety (90) seconds when the
flow of water is equal to or greater than that from a single
automatic sprinkler.
(Amd)
9.6.2.9 Where a total (complete) coverage fire alarm system is
required by another section of this Code, automatic detection shall
be provided as follows:
1. Automatic detection shall
be located in all areas of the building as required by NFPA 72,
National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, for total (complete)
coverage;
2. The detection required by §
9.6.2.9(1) shall include automatic smoke detectors in all common
corridors, the top of all stairwells, stairwell landings at each
floor level, elevator machine rooms and machine spaces, and all
elevator landings; and
3. Areas of the building not
identified in § 9.6.2.9(2), but requiring detection based on §
9.6.2.9(1), shall be permitted to be protected by automatic heat
detectors or an approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system.
(Add)
9.6.2.11 Where required by Chapters 11 through 43, an automatic fire
detection system for initiation of the signaling system shall be
provided in accordance with all of the following:
(1) Smoke detectors
installed in accordance with NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and
Signaling Code, shall be provided in all common corridors, lobbies,
the top of all stairwells, stairwell landings at each floor level,
elevator machine rooms and machine spaces, and all elevator landings.
(2) Combination rate of rise
and one hundred thirty-five degrees Fahrenheit (135º F) to one
hundred forty degrees Fahrenheit (140º F) fixed temperature heat
detectors installed in accordance with NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm
and Signaling Code, shall be provided in kitchens located within
dwelling units, storage rooms greater than twenty-four (24) square
feet, utility rooms, electrical rooms, mechanical equipment rooms,
maintenance shops, locker rooms, projection booths, above stage
areas, below accessible stage areas, integral or attached garages and
elevator hoistways.
(3) Combination rate of rise
and one hundred thirty-five degrees Fahrenheit (135º F) to one
hundred forty degrees Fahrenheit (140º F) fixed temperature heat
detectors installed in accordance with NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm
and Signaling Code, shall be provided in spaces of twenty four inches
(24”) (0.61 m) or more above suspended ceilings.
(4) Automatic fixed
temperature heat detectors with a rating of one hundred ninety
degrees Fahrenheit (190º F) to two hundred degrees Fahrenheit
(200º F) installed in accordance with NFPA 72, National Fire
Alarm and Signaling Code, shall be provided in common kitchens with
cooking equipment, boiler or furnace rooms, common laundry rooms and
accessible attics.
(5) Spaces twenty-four inches
(24”) (0.61m) or more above suspended ceilings shall be exempt
from the requirements of § 9.6.2.11(3) if the building is of
Type I or Type II construction and all interior surfaces of the above
ceiling space have a Class A or B interior finish rating and the
space is not utilized for storage.
(Add)
9.6.2.12
In
locations where heat detectors and/or smoke detectors are required,
the type and/or temperature rating of the heat detector or smoke
detector may be modified if the type or temperature rating of the
device is unsuitable due to environmental or structural conditions
unique to that location or where multiple nuisance alarms have
occurred, subject to the approval of the AHJ.
(Add)
9.6.2.13 Where a specific temperature rating or type of heat detector
is specified elsewhere in this code, rate anticipation detectors,
line-type detectors, beam detectors or other type detectors listed
for the application may be installed where approved by the AHJ.
(Res)
9.6.3.2.1
(Amd)
9.6.3.2.2 Where duct-type smoke detectors are installed in HVAC
systems in buildings requiring a fire alarm system, the duct-type
smoke detectors shall be connected to the fire alarm control unit to
signal an audible and visual supervisory signal at the fire alarm
control unit and annunciator. An alarm condition shall not occur
unless specifically requested and authorized by the AHJ.
(Res)
9.6.3.2.3
(Res)
9.6.3.5.3
(Res)
9.6.3.5.4
(Amd)
9.6.3.9 Automatically transmitted or approved live voice evacuation
or relocation instructions shall be permitted to be used to notify
occupants and shall comply with either §§ 9.6.3.9.1 or
9.6.3.9.2.
(Amd) 9.6.3.9.1 Automatically
transmitted or approved live voice evacuation or relocation
instructions shall be in accordance with NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm
and Signaling Code
(Amd) 9.6.3.9.2* Where
permitted by Chapters 11 through 43 and subject to the approval of
the authority having jurisdiction, automatically transmitted or live
voice announcements shall be permitted to be made via a voice
communication or public address system that complies with the
following:
1. Occupant notification,
either live or recorded, shall be initiated at a constantly attended
receiving station by personnel trained to respond to an emergency.
2. An approved secondary power
supply shall be provided for other than existing, previously approved
systems.
3. The system shall be audible
above the expected ambient noise level.
4. Emergency announcements
shall take precedence over any other use.
(Amd)
RILSC 9.6.4.2 Where emergency forces notification is required by this
Code and provided for in a building in a city, town, or fire district
having a public emergency alarm reporting system, the protected
premises fire alarm reporting system within the building shall be
connected into the public emergency reporting system via a local
energy master box, auxiliary transmitter, radio master box, or other
approved method so that any fire alarm signal within the building
will be automatically transmitted to the community’s
communications center.
(Add) 9.6.4.2.1 Systems
requiring emergency forces notification in buildings in a city, town,
or fire district not having a public emergency alarm reporting system
shall be connected to the community communications center via a
remote supervising station alarm system or other method in a manner
approved by the AHJ so that any fire alarm signal within the building
will be automatically transmitted to the community’s
communications center.
(Add)
9.6.4.4.1 Whenever any supervisory signal or trouble signal is
required to sound and be displayed at a location that is constantly
attended by qualified personnel, signals that sound and are displayed
in a public or common area of the building shall be deemed to be in
compliance.
(Add)
9.6.4.5 All fire alarm control units connected to the local Public
Emergency Alarm Reporting System shall be configured to restore the
emergency forces notification circuit when an alarm signal is
acknowledged and/or the notification appliance circuit(s) silenced.
(Add)
9.6.4.6 Where emergency forces notification is provided,
multiple-zone signaling from the protected premises fire alarm
control unit shall be provided in any jurisdiction capable of
receiving multiple-zone signals and shall be provided as required by
the AHJ.
(Add)
9.6.4.7 In complexes consisting of multiple building clusters, a
single means of connection in accordance with § 9.6.4.2 may be
used to accomplish emergency forces notification provided that each
building is clearly identified visually on site in a manner approved
by the AHJ (i.e.: strobe lights, etc.)
(Amd)
9.6.5.2 Where required by another section of this Code, the following
functions shall be actuated:
1. Release of hold-open
devices for doors or other opening protective’s
2. Stairwell or elevator shaft
pressurization
3. Smoke management or smoke
control systems
4. Unlocking of doors
5. Elevator recall and
shutdown
6. HVAC shutdown
7. Operation of exterior
horn/strobe notification appliances
(Add)
9.6.5.3 Where the functions identified in §§ 9.6.5.2(5),
(6) or (7) are provided, they shall be actuated upon the initiation
of any manual fire alarm box, automatic initiating device or
extinguishing system operation installed within the building.
(Add)
9.6.5.4 A manual override for each fire safety function installed in
accordance with § 9.6.5.2 shall be provided at the fire alarm
control unit for maintenance, drills and testing of the fire alarm
system.
(Add)
9.6.5.5 All buildings that have a fire alarm system required by this
Code that requires emergency egress and relocation fire drills to be
held shall have a key-operated drill switch to activate the
notification appliances in the building, installed at a remote
location outside of the fire alarm control unit, subject to the
approval of the AHJ. The drill switch key shall not be the same as
the fire alarm control unit key.
(Add)
9.6.7.2.1 A directory or zone map as required by the AHJ shall be
provided for every required fire alarm system. The directory or zone
map shall be provided in a location deemed acceptable by the AHJ.
(Amd)
9.6.7.3 For the purposes of alarm annunciation, each floor of the
building shall be considered as not less than one (1) zone, unless
otherwise permitted by §§ 9.6.7.4.4, 9.6.7.4.6 or another
section of this Code.
(Res)
9.6.7.4.5
(Amd)
9.6.7.4.6 Where the building is protected by an automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with § 9.7.1.1(2), the sprinkler system
shall be permitted to be annunciated on the fire alarm system as a
single zone.
(Add)
9.6.7.9 Where a building is protected by an automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with §§ 9.7.1.1(1) or (3), any alarm
originating from a sprinkler or a Class II or Class III standpipe
connection shall provide two (2) separate indications on the system
annunciator, one to indicate “sprinkler/standpipe” and
one (1) to indicate the activated zone.
(Add)
9.6.7.10 Where an existing building that is not classified as a
high-rise is protected by an existing sprinkler system in accordance
with § 9.7.1.1, the sprinkler system shall be permitted to be
annunciated on the fire alarm system as a single zone.
(Add)
9.6.7.11 Supervisory signals, including the operation of sprinkler
control valve supervisory switches or duct type smoke detectors,
shall be permitted to annunciate as a trouble signal on existing fire
alarm systems.
(Add)
9.6.7.12 In complexes consisting of multiple building clusters
without emergency forces notification, each building shall be clearly
identified visually on site in a manner approved by the AHJ (i.e.:
strobe lights, etc.).
(Add) 9.6.8 Equipment
(Add) 9.6.8.1 The fire alarm
system owner shall provide a twenty-four (24) hour emergency
telephone number of the owner or owner’s representative for the
fire department or AHJ to call in the event of an alarm or trouble
condition. This telephone number shall be conspicuously posted at the
fire alarm control unit.
(Add) 9.6.8.2 Where emergency
forces notification is provided in accordance with § 9.6.4.2,
the fire alarm system shall be provided with a standby battery source
capable of supplying the entire system for sixty (60) hours.
(Add) 9.6.8.3 Where emergency
forces notification is not provided in accordance with §
9.6.4.2, a weather-proof horn/strobe notification appliance shall be
installed on the exterior of the building at a location approved by
the AHJ.
(Add) 9.6.8.4 The audible
provisions of § 9.6.8.3 shall not apply to residential board and
care occupancies equipped with a weather-proof strobe notification
appliance installed on the exterior of the building at a location
approved by the AHJ.
(Add) 9.6.8.5 Fault isolation
modules or bases shall be installed on all signaling line circuits to
prevent a wire-to-wire short circuit fault from disabling more than
twenty-five (> 25) devices on any circuit.
(Add) 9.6.8.6 When a common
signaling line circuit serves more than one (1) floor of a building,
fault isolation modules shall be installed to prevent a wire-to-wire
short circuit fault on one (1) floor from disabling the remainder of
the SLC on any other floor.
(Add) 9.6.8.7 When control
and/or signaling modules are used for the activation of notification
appliance circuits or to initiate emergency forces notification,
fault isolation modules shall be installed on each side of the
control or signaling module.
(Add) 9.6.8.8 Low-Power Radio
(Add) 9.6.8.8.1 Low-Power
Radio (Wireless) Systems shall comply with all provisions of this
Chapter and NFPA 72.
(Add) 9.6.9 Installation and
Wiring
(Add) 9.6.9.1 Transponders,
Data Gathering Panels, Nodes, etc. shall communicate with the Central
Processing Unit (CPU) via a Class "X" Signaling Line
Circuit (SLC) meeting the requirements as described in NFPA 72.
(Add) 9.6.9.2 Signaling line
circuits (SLC), initiating device circuits (IDC) and notification
appliance circuits (NAC) shall be installed utilizing Class “A”
pathways meeting the requirements as described in NFPA 72.
(Add) 9.6.9.3 The requirement
of § 9.6.9.2 shall not apply to fire alarm systems not requiring
emergency forces notification.
(Add) 9.6.9.4
All fire alarm system wiring
within a building and between buildings in multiple building clusters
shall be installed in metal raceway with steel couplings and box
connectors or type MC cable rated as FPL and two (2) hour fire rated
for penetrations by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
Cast-type "LB" or "T" type connectors shall be
permitted. An equipment-bonding conductor shall be provided in all
flexible metallic raceways unless otherwise exempted elsewhere in
this Code.
(Add) 9.6.9.4.1 All
conductors for emergency forces notification circuits shall be
installed in separate raceways from all other conductors.
(Add) 9.6.9.5
Wiring between buildings may
be buried if enclosed in PVC conduit using approved IMSA cables, or
installed either using approved direct burial type MC cable or run
aerially with approved IMSA shielded cable(s) subject to approval by
the AHJ.
(Add) 9.6.9.6
All conductors shall be
minimum #16 gauge and be solid copper, type “thhn”,
“thwn” or “tfn” unless otherwise specified by
the manufacturer. All wiring shall be run continuously from device to
device. With the approval of the AHJ, junction points may be made due
to construction hardships where a continuous run would be
impractical.
(Add) 9.6.9.6.1 Junction
points between devices shall be permitted on existing fire alarm
systems provided the conductors are terminated on terminal strips.
(Add) 9.6.9.7
UL listed type MC cable
connectors with insulated bushings and screw type cable attachments
or box clamps with anti-short inserts shall be used in all MC cable
installations. Connectors shall be made of steel, not the cast type.
(Add) 9.6.9.8
The color code for all newly
installed fire alarm system conductors shall be as follows:
1. INITIATING DEVICE CIRCUIT
shall be red and black. Red shall be positive and black shall be
negative [IDC/SLC].
2. NOTIFICATION APPLIANCE
CIRCUIT shall be blue and white. Blue shall be positive and white
shall be negative. When speakers, bells, chimes or other
audible/visual appliances are used in lieu of horns, this color code
shall be followed [NAC].
3. STROBE CIRCUIT, if a
separate feed is required, shall be blue and white. Blue shall be
positive and white shall be negative.
4. SMOKE DETECTOR CIRCUITS, if
a separate power feed is required, shall be brown and violet. Violet
shall be positive and brown shall be negative.
5. “LOCAL” SMOKE
DETECTOR CIRCUITS, if an interconnect wire between sounder bases is
required, shall be violet.
6. AUXILIARY REMOTE POWER
SUPPLY CIRCUITS shall be brown and violet. Violet shall be positive
and brown shall be negative.
7. ELECTRO-MAGNETIC DOOR
HOLDBACK CIRCUITS shall be gray and gray if powered by twenty-four
(24) vDC or black and white if powered by one hundred twenty (120)
vAC.
8. MUNICIPAL MASTER BOX
TRIPPING CIRCUITS shall be orange and orange.
9. ELEVATOR RECALL CIRCUITS
shall be brown and yellow.
10. HVAC SHUTDOWN CIRCUITS and
AUDIO/VISUAL SYSTEMS SHUTDOWN CIRCUITS shall be orange and yellow.
11. REMOTE ANNUNCIATOR
CIRCUITS shall be violet and numbered at each end or as specified by
the control unit manufacturer.
12. MUNICIPAL FIRE ALARM LOOP
from the master box to the municipal loop shall be black and white.
(Add) 9.6.9.9
Primary AC power and/or
battery charger circuits shall be on a dedicated branch circuit(s).
Circuit disconnecting means shall have a red marking, shall be
accessible only to authorized personnel, and shall be identified as
“FIRE ALARM CIRCUIT.” Where the disconnecting means is a
circuit breaker located within a distribution panel, a circuit
breaker lock listed for use with that breaker shall be provided. The
location of the circuit disconnecting means shall be permanently
identified inside the fire alarm control unit. AC and DC portions of
the system shall be installed in separate raceways.
(Add) 9.6.9.10
Terminal cabinets shall be
provided at all junction points, except for previously approved
installations. Terminal cabinets shall be red with hinged locked
covers. All conductor splices or terminations shall be made on screw-
type terminal blocks – wire nuts, butt or crimp type connectors
shall not be used. All terminals within a terminal cabinet shall be
properly identified.
Exception: Crimp-type
connectors may be used on bonding conductors.
(Add) 9.6.10 System Acceptance
(Add) 9.6.10.1 A
pre-acceptance test will be held with the installer and the
manufacturer's technical representative present. The pretest shall be
a one hundred percent (100%) test as follows:
1. Manually operate every
manual fire alarm box, activate restorable heat detector with heat.
2. Manually operate or
electrically short out every non-restorable fixed temperature heat
detector.
3. Activate every smoke
detector with smoke generated from a wick/punk source or in
accordance with the manufacturer's specifications to demonstrate that
smoke can enter the chamber and initiate an alarm.
4. Activate (mechanically or
electrically) all automatic extinguishing system switches – the
discharge of the extinguishing agent shall not be required.
5. Activate and time every
water sprinkler/standpipe flow switch by a flow of water through the
inspectors' test valves.
6. Verify all notification
appliances as operational.
(Add) 9.6.10.2 Prior to the
final operational acceptance test, a NFPA 72 Fire Alarm System Record
of Completion shall be prepared and submitted to the fire alarm
system owner and the AHJ. The contractor shall prepare and submit a
single line diagram of each installation, as built, indicating wiring
between equipment and locations of control units, initiating devices
and notification appliances to the owner and AHJ.
(Add) 9.6.10.3 The installing
contractor shall conduct a final acceptance test including a complete
functional test of the system in the presence of the AHJ and the
manufacturer's authorized technical representative. During this test
each circuit shall be tested by class, or style or both, to assure
the circuit’s capability to continue to operate during
specified fault condition.
(Add) 9.6.10.4 The fire alarm
system may be placed in operation prior to final acceptance if in the
opinion of the AHJ it will enhance public safety or provide property
protection during the final phases of construction. In this case all
devices shall be thoroughly cleaned or replaced prior to the system
acceptance test. The system shall not be placed in operation without
the written permission of the AHJ. Under no circumstances will this
be considered a final acceptance test.
(Add) 9.6.10.5 At the time of
the final acceptance test, a Uniform Test Report (UTR) as prescribed
by § 9.6.11.4 shall be completed and a sticker affixed to the
fire alarm control unit.
(Add)
9.6.11 Maintenance and Testing
(Add) 9.6.11.1 All fire alarm
systems shall be tested quarterly with twenty-five percent (25%) of
all initiating devices operated with each test. A different
twenty-five percent (25%) of the above-mentioned devices will be
operated at each inspection so that the entire system will have been
tested at the end of a twelve (12) months period as per NFPA 72.
(Add) 9.6.11.2 A fire alarm
system with twenty-four (24) or fewer initiating devices shall be
tested semiannually with fifty percent (50%) of all initiating
devices operated with each test so that the entire system will have
been tested at the end of a twelve (12) months period as per NFPA 72.
(Add) 9.6.11.3 Certification
of tests and results shall be forwarded to the AHJ and the fire alarm
system owner from the person(s) or firm performing the test within
ten (10) days of the completion of the test. The person(s) or firm
performing the testing of the fire alarm shall notify the AHJ within
five (5) days, in writing, after any cancellation of a testing
agreement with the fire alarm owner.
(Add) 9.6.11.4 Certification
of any periodic testing required by the Code shall be on the Uniform
Testing Report (UTR) as prescribed in NFPA 1, § 1.13.1(3) and
issued by the State Fire Marshal. This UTR shall be utilized by all
persons and firms performing fire alarm testing and inspections
pursuant to this Code and shall bear the name and license number of
the licensed person performing the test.
(Add) 9.6.11.5 In addition to
the required testing requirements above, all system smoke detectors
located within the protected premises shall be externally cleaned at
least once every twelve (12) month period.
(Add) 9.6.11.6 All persons
and firms performing any installation, servicing, maintenance and/or
testing & inspections required by this Chapter shall be licensed
in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-6-2, “Electricians –
Work for Which License Required.”
(Add)
9.7.1.6 Fire protection for elevator installations shall be as
follows:
(a) In buildings where
automatic sprinklers are required, automatic sprinklers may be
omitted within all elevator machine rooms and elevator hoistways and
pits where elevator hoistways are constructed of non-combustible or
limited-combustible materials and comply with vertical opening
provisions outlined in § 8.6 of the Rhode Island Life Safety
Code. Sprinklers shall be installed in elevator pits and elevator
hoistways where hoistways are constructed of combustible materials.
(b) Heat detectors shall
continue to be required within elevator hoistways and smoke detectors
shall continue to be required within elevator machine rooms as
required by the Rhode Island Life Safety Code.
(c) Elevator machine rooms
shall be used for no purpose other than elevator machine rooms.
(Add)
9.7.1.7 Certification of any periodic testing required by the Code
shall be on the Uniform Testing Report (UTR) as prescribed in NFPA 1,
§§ 1.13.1(12) & (13) and issued by the State Fire
Marshal. This UTR shall be utilized by all persons and firms
performing automatic sprinkler or standpipe testing and inspections
pursuant to this Code and shall bear the name and license number of
the licensed person performing the test.
(Add)
9.7.2.1.2.1 Whenever any supervised automatic sprinkler supervisory
signal is required to sound and be displayed at a location that is
constantly attended by qualified personnel or at a remotely located
receiving facility, signals that sound and are displayed in a public
or common area of the protected premises shall be deemed to be in
compliance.
(Amd)
9.12 Where required by another section of this Code, carbon monoxide
(CO) detection and warning equipment shall be provided in accordance
with NFPA 72 (2019).
8.1.10 CHAPTER 10 –
INTERIOR FINISH, CONTENTS, AND FURNISHINGS
(No
Modifications)
8.1.11 CHAPTER 11 –
SPECIAL STRUCTURES AND HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS
(Add)
11.8.4.4 Emergency voice/alarm communication systems shall also be
provided with standby amplifiers equal to the amount of amplification
required for the complete system operation.
(Add)
11.8.4.5 Smoke detectors shall be installed in stairwells at the
first floor, every third (3 rd ) floor thereafter and at the
top of every stairwell.
(Add)
11.8.4.6 Where partial or selective evacuation is required by the
AHJ, stairwell smoke detector activation shall not cause an
evacuation signal to be sounded; however; emergency forces
notification shall occur.
8.1.12 CHAPTER 12 –
NEW ASSEMBLY OCCUPANCIES
(Amd)
12.3.4.1.1 Assembly occupancies shall be provided with an approved
fire alarm system in accordance with §§ 9.6.1 and 12.3.4,
unless otherwise permitted by §§ 12.3.4.1.2 or 12.3.4.1.3.
(Add)
12.3.4.1.3 Places of worship with a calculated occupant load of
seventy-four (74) or fewer occupants and no more than one (1) story
above grade shall not be required to be provided with a fire alarm
system.
(Amd)
12.3.4.2.1 Initiation of the required fire alarm system shall be all
of the following means:
1. Manual means in accordance
with § 9.6.2.1(1).
2. Where automatic sprinklers
are provided, initiation of the fire alarm system by sprinkler system
waterflow.
3. An approved fire detection
system in accordance with § 9.6.2.11.
(Res)
12.3.4.2.2
(Res)
12.3.4.2.3
(Add)
12.3.4.2.4 A manual fire alarm box shall be installed on every stage,
near any fixed lighting control panel and in any projection booth.
(Add)
12.3.4.2.5 Manual fire alarm boxes, with the approval of the AHJ, may
be omitted from required exits and installed in such supervised
locations as bar areas, hostess stands, refreshment stands, ticket
booths or other areas constantly attended by properly trained staff
whenever the facility is occupied.
(Amd)
12.3.4.3 Notification. Occupant notification by both audible and
visible means shall be provided automatically in accordance with §
9.6.3.
(Amd) 12.3.4.3.3 Audible
occupant notification in places of assembly classified as theaters
and all other places of assembly with an occupant load in excess of
one hundred fifty (150) persons shall be by means of voice
announcements in accordance with § 9.6.3.9.
(Res) 12.3.4.3.4
(Amd) 12.3.4.3.6 Evacuation
or relocation instructions shall be permitted to be made via a voice
communication or public address system in accordance with §
9.6.3.9.2.
(Res) 12.3.4.3.7
(Add) 12.3.4.3.8 Upon the
activation of any fire alarm system in any place of assembly
classified as a nightclub or theater, the fire alarm system shall be
interconnected with the building systems so that all emergency lights
or other appropriate lighting shall activate and that all other
conflicting sounds and visuals shall cease.
(Add) 12.3.4.3.9 Emergency
forces notification shall be provided in accordance with where one
(1) of the following conditions exists:
1. The place of assembly has a
total occupant load of three hundred one (301) or greater.
2. The place of assembly is
classified as a nightclub place of assembly and has an occupant load
of one hundred fifty (150) or greater.
3. The place of assembly is
classified as a theater.
(Add) 12.3.4.3.10 Detection
(Add) 12.3.4.3.10.1 Where a
fire alarm system is required, a fire detection system in accordance
with § 9.6.2.11 shall be provided.
(Add) 12.3.4.3.10.2 In any
assembly occupancy where the exemption to the requirement for
automatic sprinklers is utilized, the fire alarm system shall meet
the requirements for total (complete) coverage.
Exception: Places of Worship.
(Res)
12.4.8.5
(Add) 12.4.12 Nightclubs
(Add) 12.4.12.1
All nightclubs, as defined in
§ 3.4.13, shall comply with the requirements of §§
12.4.11.2 through 12.4.11.4 and shall be inspected annually by the
AHJ.
(Add) 12.4.12.2
Each stage area, within a
nightclub, shall be provided with a minimum of two fire extinguishers
maintained in accordance with NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire
Extinguishers and approved by the AHJ.
(Add) 12.4. 12.3
The responsible management of
each nightclub shall provide an audible announcement of the location
of emergency exits prior to each act or set.
(Add) 12.4.12.4
The responsible management of
each nightclub shall have an emergency plan for the rapid evacuation
of the premises approved by the State Fire Marshal. The plan shall
identify the egress system of the building, explain, on a
step-by-step basis, how the crowd manager on duty will complete the
evacuation, and explain how the crowd manager will direct the
occupants to safety in the event of one or more blocked exits.
(Add) 12.7.1.4
In
places of assembly which have scheduled activities for recreational,
educational, political, fraternal, social, or amusement purposes, the
owner or management must inspect every exit from the building not
more than ninety (90) minutes prior to the beginning of any event,
meeting, concert, etc. If the inspection reveals blocked exits, the
scheduled presentation must not begin until the exits are cleared and
made easily accessible, assuring the safety and welfare of the
patrons.
(Add) 12.7.3.1
The
use of open flame devices or pyrotechnic devices, outlined in §
12.7.3, shall be limited to the places of assembly with occupancy
loads in excess of one thousand (1,000) persons and to those places
of assembly, that are theaters, with occupancy loads of greater than
three hundred (300) but less than one thousand one (1,001). All such
places of assembly must be fully sprinkled and further protected by a
fire alarm system providing emergency forces notification.
Exception: Places of Worship.
(Amd) 12.7.6 Crowd Management
(Amd) 12.7.6.2
The crowd manager and crowd
management supervisor shall receive appropriate training in emergency
planning and basic crowd control techniques, by the State Fire
Marshal, or his or her designee.
(Add) 12.7.6.2.1
The crowd manager(s)
identified in § 12.7.6.1 shall be in addition to the detail fire
fighter(s) identified in §§ 12.7.6.7 through 12.7.6.12.
(Add) 12.7.6.6 Admissions
supervised.
Admissions to all places of
assembly shall be supervised by the responsible management or by the
person or persons delegated with the responsibility by the
management, and the responsible person shall not allow admissions in
excess of the maximum occupancy posted by the State Fire Marshal or
his or her designee.
(Add) 12.7.6.7
All places of assembly with
an occupancy load of greater than one thousand (1,000) people shall
have a minimum of one (1) uniformed fire fighter, and any additional
uniformed fire fighters on duty when deemed necessary by the chief of
the local fire department or the designee of the State Fire Marshal
in the local fire department.
(Add) 12.7.6.8
All places of assembly, of
less concentrated use, with an occupancy load of greater than three
hundred (300) people, but less than one thousand one (1,001) people,
shall have a uniformed fire fighter and any additional uniformed fire
fighters on duty when deemed necessary by the chief of the local
department or the designee of the State Fire Marshal in the local
fire department.
(Add) 12.7.6.9
All places of assembly, of
concentrated use, with an occupancy load of greater than fifty (50)
people, but less than one thousand one (1,001) people shall have a
uniformed fire fighter and any additional uniformed fire fighters on
duty when deemed necessary by the Chief of the local fire department
or the designee of the State Fire Marshal in the local fire
department except as provided under § 12.7.6.10.
(Add) 12.7.6.10
All places of assembly, of
concentrated or less concentrated use, with an occupancy load of
greater than fifty (50) people, but less than one thousand one
(1,001) people, being utilized for activities that could potentially
cause the place of assembly to be unsafe, dangerous or hazardous
shall have a minimum of one (1) uniformed fire fighter on duty during
such activity and any additional uniformed fire fighters on duty when
deemed necessary by the Chief of the local fire department or the
designee of the State Fire Marshal in the local fire department
unless this requirement is specifically waived in writing for each
such event.
(Add) 12.7.6.11
The cost of all fire fighters
on duty under §§ 12.7.6.7 through 12.7.6.13 shall be borne
by the management of the facility.
(Add) 12.7.6.12
Fire fighter(s) assigned a
detail pursuant to §§ 12.7.6.7 through 12.7.6.13 shall be
equipped with portable communication devices which shall be provided
by the local fire department to allow direct communication to the
dispatcher of the local fire department.
(Add) 12.7.6.13
The provisions of R.I. Gen.
Laws § 23-28.2-17 shall apply to any fire fighter assigned a
detail, to a place of assembly, pursuant to §§ 12.7.6.7
through 12.7.6.13.
(Add) 12.7.6.14
Any building owner or
occupant may request a partial or full exemption from the mandates of
§§ 12.7.6.2 through 12.7.6.13 by the State Fire Marshal
and/or the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review.
8.1.13 CHAPTER 13 –
EXISTING ASSEMBLY OCCUPANCIES
(Add) 13.1.8 Places of Worship
A
Place of Worship is defined as a building or structure, or an area
thereof, the occupancy of which is for the religious rites and
services and communal functions of a congregation, and which shall
include sanctuaries, gathering halls, meeting rooms, rooms used on a
limited basis for religious education, offices and related facilities
of the congregation, which may be located in the same, in connected,
or in proximate structures.
In
areas where there are incidental uses such as non-licensed day care
or nurseries the provisions of the Rhode Island Fire Alarm Code, NFPA
72, as amended, also shall apply.
Any
one (1), two (2) or three (3) family residential building that comes
under the classification of a Place of Worship that is utilized as a
rectory, parsonage, convent or other residence used exclusively for
religious personnel, shall only be required to be protected by
approved hardwired smoke alarms. In addition, approved carbon
monoxide alarms shall be installed when these CO alarms would be
otherwise required under the fire code provisions covering one (1),
two (2) and three (3) family homes.
Any
religious-related business office use of a portion of a one (1), two
(2) or three (3) family residential building, or a place of worship,
as outlined above, that is confined to a space of less than one
thousand (1,000) square feet of that building, shall not be required
to maintain a fire alarm system provided that the above required
smoke alarm and/or CO detection system is operational and maintained.
Larger business office space, up to the square footage threshold for
fire alarm coverage as outlined in this code, may be exempted from
fire alarm coverage if it is properly separated from the remainder of
the residential building, by approved “acceptable separation”,
as outlined in § 6.1.14.3.2.1.
(Add) 13.1.8.1 Approved
existing Places of Worship.
Any place of worship,
existing as of January 1, 2008, shall be deemed in compliance with
the provisions of Chapter 13, upon meeting the following fifteen (15)
requirements within the time frames provided in this Code. The owners
and/or operators of any such existing Place of Worship shall not be
required to comply with any additional assembly occupancy
requirements. The above owners and/or operators may also seek an
additional time extension from the Fire Board.
1. The building maintains a
fire alarm system that complies with the provisions of § 9.6 and
Chapter 13 of this Code to the satisfaction of the State Fire
Marshal, Deputy State Fire Marshal and/or the Assistant Deputy State
Fire Marshal (hereinafter the “AHJ”);
2. Buildings that provide
licensed nursery or licensed day care services shall maintain an
approved system of either hardwired or wireless smoke and carbon
monoxide alarms installed in accordance with NFPA 72, 2019 edition,
and any additional requirements of these occupancies;
3. The building maintains
emergency lighting approved by the AHJ. Buildings with an occupant
load less than three hundred (300) persons and used solely for
worship shall not be required to meet this section. In addition, one
(1) story buildings used only during daylight hours shall not be
required to meet this section;
4. The building maintains
approved exit signage, if so required by the AHJ;
5. The building shall maintain
egress calculated for its maximum occupancy with a minimum of two (2)
means of egress. The egress doors within a Place of Worship may be
allowed to swing opposite to the direction of exit travel provided
that these doors are held in an open position, to the satisfaction of
the AHJ, by either hold-open devices, during all hours when the Place
of Worship is occupied as a place of assembly or by trained ushers as
outlined below. The AHJ may further approve a plan of action allowing
trained ushers to open these doors during an evacuation of the Place
of Worship.
6. The walls of the internal
means of egress are made of plaster and/or gypsum wallboard, are in
good repair, and maintain an approximate fire rating of twenty (20)
minutes. The AHJ is hereby authorized to accept the existing hard
wood or other substantial construction of a sanctuary and/or
fellowship or parish hall and not require these materials to be
coated with a Class A or B flame spread material. Religious banners,
cloth coverings, flowers and other limited vegetation, in reasonable
amounts, shall be permitted. The AHJ is authorized to approve the
temporary placement of a freshly cut natural Christmas tree in
accordance with an approved plan addressing the care, maintenance and
eventual removal of the fresh-cut Christmas tree.
7. All combustible covering
materials, within the approved egress systems, such as existing
paneling or wainscoting, mounted on approved plaster or gypsum
wallboard walls or ceilings, shall be rendered flame resistant by the
application of an approved Class A flame-spread rated material to the
satisfaction of the AHJ;
8. The existing dimensions of
the egress system appear to adequately support the rapid evacuation
of the building, in the opinion of the AHJ and the internal means of
egress may contain winding stairs;
9. There shall be no smoking
allowed in Places of Worship;
10. Any furnace or boiler in
the building shall be equipped with an approved remote shutoff switch
approved by the AHJ;
11. Any furnace, boiler or
comparable central heating plant above one hundred sixty thousand
(160,000) BTU input and all floor mounted units requiring a
non-combustible floor by their listing, shall be either segregated
from the remainder of the building by an enclosure maintaining an
approximate one hour rating or protected by domestically-supplied
sprinkler head(s) to the satisfaction of the AHJ;
12. Portable fire
extinguishers shall be provided in accordance with § 9.9;
13. Automatic sprinkler
coverage, only if specifically required by the State Fire Marshal in
accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-28.6-24.
14. Any commercial cooking
equipment shall be protected in accordance with NFPA 96, Standard for
Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking
Operations, 2017 edition. Provided however, this requirement shall
not apply where the cooking equipment is used only to reheat or warm
food and there is the absence of smoke or grease-laden vapors. In
cases where there is an intermittent use of commercial cooking
equipment used for actual cooking, not exceeding two (2) hours per
week as an annual average, this requirement shall be waived by the
AHJ provided that a plan of action is approved by the AHJ for each
use.
The management of a Place of
Worship shall not allow the operation, within the facility, of a
commercial deep fat fryer unit, such as a “fry-o-lator”,
without first providing that potentially hazardous commercial deep
fat fryer unit with approved ventilation control and fire protection,
in accordance with the referenced edition of NFPA 96, at the
direction and to the satisfaction of the AHJ. The above requirement
shall be waived if the deep fat frying unit is currently protected by
a properly maintained ventilation control and fire protection system
that had been previously approved by an AHJ.
15. The use of any open
flame(s) shall be in accordance with 101:13.7.3.
Any new construction,
renovations, alterations, reconstruction and/or additions to an
existing Place of Worship, covered by the above fifteen (15) point
plan, shall comply with the applicable Fire Codes covering those
activities in an existing place of assembly. Notwithstanding the
above, the existing portions of a Place of Worship shall not be
required to be sprinkled unless they are not separated, from any new
addition proposed for assembly occupancy, by approximately one (1)
hour fire rated separation. In the absence of an approximate one (1)
hour fire separation between an existing and a new assembly
occupancy, the merged existing and new assembly occupancies shall be
calculated on the basis of fifteen (15) square feet per person to
determine whether sprinklers are to be required.
(Amd)
13.3.4.1.1 Assembly occupancies shall be provided with an approved
fire alarm system in accordance with §§ 9.6.1 and 13.3.4,
unless otherwise permitted by §§ 13.3.4.1.2 or 13.3.4.1.5.
(Res) 13.3.4.1.3
(Res) 13.3.4.1.4
(Add)
13.3.4.1.5 Places of worship with a calculated occupant load of
seventy-four (74) or less occupants and no more than one (1) story
above grade shall not be required to be provided with a fire alarm
system.
(Amd)
13.3.4.2.1 Initiation of the required fire alarm system shall be by
all of the following means:
1. Manual means in accordance
with § 9.6.2.1(1).
2. Where automatic sprinklers
are provided, initiation of the fire alarm system by sprinkler system
waterflow.
3. An approved fire detection
system in accordance with § 9.6.2.11.
(Res)
13.3.4.2.2
(Res)
13.3.4.2.3
(Add)
13.3.4.2.4 A manual fire alarm box shall be installed on every stage,
near any fixed lighting control panel and in any projection booth.
(Add)
13.3.4.2.5 Manual fire alarm boxes, with the approval of the AHJ, may
be omitted from required exits and installed in such supervised
locations as bar areas, hostess stands, refreshment stands, ticket
booths or other areas constantly attended by properly trained staff
whenever the facility is occupied.
(Amd)
13.3.4.3 Notification. Occupant notification by both audible and
visible means shall be provided automatically in accordance with §
9.6.3.
(Amd) 13.3.4.3.3 Audible
occupant notification in all places of assembly classified as
theaters shall be by means of voice announcements in accordance with
§ 9.6.3.9.
(Amd) 13.3.4.3.6 Evacuation
or relocation instructions shall be permitted to be made via a voice
communication or public address system in accordance with §
9.6.3.9.2.
(Res) 13.3.4.3.7
(Add) 13.3.4.3.8 Upon the
activation of any fire alarm system in any place of assembly
classified as a nightclub or theater, the fire alarm system shall be
interconnected with the building systems so that all emergency lights
or other appropriate lighting shall activate and that all other
conflicting sounds and visuals shall cease.
(Add) 13.3.4.3.9 Emergency
forces notification shall be provided in accordance with where one
(1) of the following conditions exists:
1. The place of assembly has a
total occupant load of three hundred one (301) or greater.
2. The place of assembly is
classified as a nightclub place of assembly and has an occupant load
of one hundred fifty (150) or greater.
3. The place of assembly is
classified as a theater.
(Add) 13.3.4.4 Detection
(Add) 13.3.4.4.1 Where a fire
alarm system is required, a fire detection system in accordance with
§ 9.6.2.11 shall be provided.
(Add) 13.3.4.4.2 In any
existing place of worship where the exemption to the requirement for
automatic sprinklers is utilized, the fire alarm system shall not be
required to meet the requirements for total (complete) coverage.
(Amd)
13.3.5.1
Unless
exempted by another provision of this Chapter, all existing places of
assembly shall be completely protected by an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system installed and maintained in accordance
with § 9.7.1.1(1).
(Add) 13.3.5.1.1
The requirements of 13.3.5.1
shall not apply to the following:
1. Any place of assembly of
less concentrated use, such as an organized dining facility, with
occupancy of three hundred (300) or fewer people, calculated at
fifteen (15) square feet per person. (The above fifteen (15) square
feet per person calculation shall be exclusive of any separately
calculated limited incidental spaces designated as a waiting area by
the AHJ. The above fifteen (15) square feet per person calculation
shall also not apply to buildings, containing separately calculated
booths or similar fixed seating, determined not to be concentrated
occupancies by the AHJ.)
2. Any place of assembly of
concentrated use, with an occupancy of three hundred (300) or fewer
people, not meeting the definition of a nightclub as outlined in §
3.4.13.
3. Any place of assembly of
concentrated use, meeting the definition of a nightclub, as outlined
in § 3.4.13, with a posted maximum occupancy of less than one
hundred fifty (150) people.
4. Any existing building used
exclusively as a place of worship as defined in § 13.1.8. (This
exemption shall include places of worship with incidental business
offices, religious education programs, and other programs designed
watch children during the limited period of time that their parents
or guardians attend religious services in the building. It shall also
include the temporary programs outlined in Chapter 27 of this Code.
This exemption shall not include places of worship maintaining such
licensed activities as child day care and bingo. Permission for
limited one (1) time or annual events may be sought from the AHJ in
accordance with an approved plan of action. Denial of this permission
may be appealed to the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review.)
5. All existing licensed
“funeral establishments”, having an occupancy capacity of
five hundred (500) or fewer persons, shall not be required to be
sprinkled provided they install and maintain a full coverage fire
alarm system, at the direction and to the satisfaction of the State
or local Fire Marshal with jurisdiction.
As a further condition of the
above relief, the Board directs that there shall be no smoking in all
licensed “funeral establishments” and there shall be no
open flame with the exception of approved gas log fireplaces having
glass doors. Additionally, the Rhode Island Funeral Directors’
Association and the State Fire Marshal’s Office will coordinate
crowd management training for the owners and operators of all
licensed “funeral establishments.”
The chemical storage in all
embalming rooms shall comply with the RIFC edition and its referenced
codes and standards. Additionally, all crematoriums shall be suitably
separated and shall further comply with all Federal and State Fire,
Mechanical, Building and Health Code standards.
Any attached garage(s), not
suitably separated in the opinion of the State or local Fire Marshal
with jurisdiction, shall be further protected with approved heat
detection connected to the fire alarm system protecting the facility.
Existing boiler rooms may utilize properly engineered,
domestically-supplied, sprinkler head(s), installed in accordance
with local water board requirements (if any), in lieu of the
enclosure requirements. All such facilities shall have egress
approved for their maximum occupant load. Finally, any existing
dimensional issue, determined to be a structural hardship by the
State or local Fire Marshal with jurisdiction, may be granted a
modification by that State or local Fire Marshal in accordance with
the procedure outlined in § 1.6.1.1.
(Add) 13.3.5.5
The
occupancy of any place of assembly without a required fire alarm
system and/or sprinkler system, shall have its maximum occupancy
adjusted by minus ten percent (10%) for the absence of a fire alarm
system and minus twenty percent (20%) for the absence of a sprinkler
system, when sprinklers are required by law or Regulation. Such
downward adjustment in occupancy shall be cumulative and shall cease
to apply when the premises are in compliance with the requirements
for fire alarm systems and sprinklers, and shall not affect any other
requirements of this Code, or the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal
and Review, applicable to the premises. This section shall not be
construed to act as an exemption for otherwise required fire
protection systems.
(Add)
13.4.4.1 Existing high-rise buildings shall be provided with a
detection, alarm and communication system in accordance with §
11.8.4 and an emergency command center complying with § 11.8.6.
(Add) 13.4.12 Nightclubs
(Add) 13.4.12.1
All nightclubs, as defined in
§ 3.4.13, shall comply with the requirements of §§
13.4.12.2 through 13.4.12.4 and shall be inspected annually by the
AHJ.
(Add) 13.4.12.2
Each stage area, within a
nightclub, shall be provided with a minimum of two (2) fire
extinguishers maintained in accordance with NFPA 10, Standard for
Portable Fire Extinguishers and approved by the AHJ.
(Add) 13.4.12.3
The responsible management of
each nightclub shall provide an audible announcement of the location
of emergency exits prior to each act or set.
(Add) 13.4.12.4
The responsible management of
each nightclub shall have an emergency plan for the rapid evacuation
of the premises approved by the State Fire Marshal. The plan shall
identify the egress system of the building, explain, on a
step-by-step basis, how the crowd manager on duty will complete the
evacuation, and explain how the crowd manager will direct the
occupants to safety in the event of one (1) or more blocked exits.
(Add)
13.7.1.4
In
places of assembly which have scheduled activities for recreational,
educational, political, fraternal, social, or amusement purposes, the
owner or management must inspect every exit from the building not
more than ninety (90) minutes prior to the beginning of any event,
meeting, concert, etc. If the inspection reveals blocked exits, the
scheduled presentation must not begin until the exits are cleared and
made easily accessible, assuring the safety and welfare of the
patrons.
(Add) 13.7.3.1
The
use of open flame devices or pyrotechnic devices, outlined in §
13.7.3, shall be limited to the places of assembly with occupancy
loads in excess of one thousand (1,000) persons and to those places
of assembly, that are theaters, with occupancy loads of greater than
three hundred (300) but less than one thousand one (1,001). All such
places of assembly must be fully sprinkled and further protected by a
fire alarm system providing emergency forces notification.
Exception: Places of worship.
(Amd) 13.7.6 Crowd Management
(Amd) 13.7.6.2
The crowd manager and crown
management supervisor shall receive appropriate training in emergency
planning and basic crowd control techniques, by the State Fire
Marshal, or his or her designee.
(Add) 13.7.6.2.1
The crowd manager(s)
identified in § 13.7.6.1 shall be in addition to the detail fire
fighter(s) identified in §§ 13.7.6.7 through 13.7.6.13.
(Add) 13.7.6.6 Admissions
supervised.
Admissions to all places of
assembly shall be supervised by the responsible management or by the
person or persons delegated with the responsibility by the
management, and the responsible person shall not allow admissions in
excess of the maximum occupancy posted by the State Fire Marshal or
his or her designee.
(Add) 13.7.6.7
All places of assembly with
an occupancy load of greater than one thousand (1,000) people shall
have a uniformed fire fighter, and any additional uniformed fire
fighters on duty when deemed necessary by the Chief of the local fire
department or the designee of the State Fire Marshal in the local
fire department.
(Add) 13.7.6.8
All places of assembly, of
less concentrated use, with an occupancy load of greater than three
hundred (300) people, but less than one thousand one (1,001) people,
shall have a uniformed fire fighter and any additional uniformed fire
fighters on duty when deemed necessary by the Chief of the local fire
department or the designee of the State Fire Marshal in the local
fire department.
(Add) 13.7.6.9
All places of assembly, of
concentrated use, with an occupancy load of greater than fifty (50)
people, but less than one thousand one (1,001) people shall have a
uniformed fire fighter and any additional uniformed fire fighters on
duty when deemed necessary by the Chief of the local fire department
or the designee of the State Fire Marshal in the local fire
department except as provided under § 13.7.6.10.
(Add) 13.7.6.10
All places of assembly, of
concentrated or less concentrated use, with an occupancy load of
greater than fifty (50) people, but less than one thousand one
(1,001) people, being utilized for activities that could potentially
cause the place of assembly to be unsafe, dangerous or hazardous
shall have one (1) uniformed fire fighter on duty during such
activity and any additional uniformed fire fighters on duty when
deemed necessary by Chief of the local fire department or the
designee of the State Fire Marshal in the local fire department
unless this requirement is specifically waived in writing for each
such event.
(Add) 13.7.6.11
The cost of all fire fighters
on duty under §§ 13.7.6.7 through 13.7.6.13 shall be borne
by the management of the facility.
(Add) 13.7.6.12
Fire fighter(s) assigned a
detail pursuant to §§ 13.7.6.7 through 13.7.6.13 shall be
equipped with portable communication devices which shall be provided
by the local fire department to allow direct communication to the
dispatcher of the local fire department.
(Add) 13.7.6.13
The provisions of R.I. Gen.
Laws § 23-28.2-17 shall apply to any fire fighter assigned a
detail, to a place of assembly, pursuant to §§ 13.7.6.7
through 13.7.6.13.
(Add) 13.7.6.14
Any building owner or
occupant may request a partial or full exemption from the mandates of
§§ 13.7.6.2 through 13.7.6.13 by the State Fire Marshal
and/or the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review.
8.1.14 CHAPTER 14 –
NEW EDUCATIONAL OCCUPANCIES
(Amd)
14.1.2.3 In cases where instruction is incidental to some other
occupancy, the section of this Code governing the other occupancy
shall apply. Sunday schools or church schools that are not used for
daily classes throughout the week shall comply with the section of
this Code dealing with places of worship.
(Amd)
14.3.4.2.1 Initiation of the required fire alarm system shall be by
all of the following means:
1. Manual means in accordance
with § 9.6.2.1(1),
2. Where automatic sprinklers
are provided, initiation of the fire alarm system by sprinkler system
waterflow.
3. An approved fire detection
system in accordance with § 9.6.
(Res) 14.3.4.2.2
(Res) 14.3.4.2.3
(Res) 14.3.4.2.3.1
(Res) 14.3.4.2.3.2
(Add) 14.3.4.5 Detection
(Add) 14.3.4.5.1 Where a fire
alarm system is required, a total (complete) coverage fire detection
system in accordance with § 9.6.2.9 shall be provided.
(Add) 14.3.4.5.2 The
requirement of § 14.3.4.5.1 shall not apply to educational
occupancies equipped throughout with an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with § 9.7.1.1(1) and
an automatic smoke detection system in accordance with §
9.6.2.11(1).
(Add) 14.3.4.6
Any
conflict between the provisions of this section and the provisions of
amended § 9.6 of this shall be resolved in favor of compliance
with the most reasonable combined requirements as determined by the
State Fire Marshal’s Office.
(Add) 14.7.3.4 Annual
Inspections
All educational occupancies
shall be inspected annually by the AHJ.
8.1.15 CHAPTER 15 –
EXISTING EDUCATIONAL OCCUPANCIES
(Amd)
15.1.2.3 In cases where instruction is incidental to some other
occupancy, the section of this Code governing the other occupancy
shall apply. Sunday schools or church schools that are not used for
daily classes throughout the week shall comply with the section of
this Code dealing with places of worship.
(Amd)
15.3.4.2.1 Initiation of the required fire alarm system shall be by
all of the following means:
1. Manual means in accordance
with § 9.6.2.1(1),
2. Where automatic sprinklers
are provided, initiation of the fire alarm system by sprinkler system
waterflow.
3. An approved fire detection
system in accordance with § 9.6.
(Res) 15.3.4.2.2
(Res) 15.3.4.2.3
(Res) 15.3.4.2.3.1
(Res) 15.3.4.2.3.2
(Amd) 15.3.4.3.2.1 Emergency
Forces Notification shall be in accordance with § 9.6.4.2.
(Res) 15.3.4.3.2.2
(Add) 15.3.4.5 Detection
(Add) 15.3.4.5.1 Where a fire
alarm system is required, a total (complete) coverage fire detection
system in accordance with § 9.6.2.9 shall be provided.
(Add) 15.3.4.5.2 The
requirement of § 15.3.4.4.1 shall not apply to educational
occupancies equipped throughout with an approved, supervised
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with § 9.7.1.1(1) and
an automatic smoke detection system in accordance with §
9.6.2.11(1).
(Add) 15.3.4.6
Any
conflict between the provisions of this section and the provisions of
amended § 9.6 of this shall be resolved in favor of compliance
with the most reasonable combined requirements as determined by the
State Fire Marshal’s Office.
(Add) 15.3.6 Corridors
(6)
In buildings protected throughout by a total (complete) fire alarm
system with emergency forces notification, self-closing devices shall
not be required on normally occupied classroom doors provided that
teachers and other faculty/staff are trained to close all doors in
the event of an emergency.
(Amd)
15.4.2 High-Rise Buildings. High-rise buildings shall comply with §
11.8.1 and be provided with a detection, alarm and communication
system in accordance with § 11.8.4 and an emergency command
center complying with § 11.8.6.
(Add)
15.7.3.4 Annual Inspections
All
educational occupancies shall be inspected annually by the AHJ.
8.1.16 CHAPTER 16 –
NEW DAY-CARE OCCUPANCIES
(Add)
16.2.2.2.3.4 It shall be recognized that, in buildings. or portions
thereof, housing certain clients who exhibit behavior that is harmful
to themselves or others, it might be necessary to lock egress doors
to confine and protect building inhabitants.
(Add)
16.2.2.2.3.5 Buildings, or sections thereof, that primarily house
clients who, in the opinion of the governing body of the facility,
the governmental licensing agency, or authority having jurisdiction,
are incapable of self-preservation under emergency conditions shall
be permitted to have locking arrangements complying with the
provisions of § 18.2.2.2.5.
(Add)
16.2.2.2.3.6 The requirements of § 16.2.2.2.3.5 shall only apply
when staff is available in all secured client-occupied areas to
perform certain fire safety functions as required in §§
18.2.2.2.5 through 18.2.2.2.5.2, and 18.7.
(Amd)
16.3.4.1 General. Day-care occupancies shall be provided with a fire
alarm system in accordance with § 9.6.
(Amd)
16.3.4.2 Initiation. Initiation of the required fire alarm system
shall be by all of the following means:
1. Manual means in accordance
with § 9.6.2.1(1),
2. Where automatic sprinklers
are provided, initiation of the fire alarm system by sprinkler system
waterflow.
3. An approved fire detection
system in accordance with § 9.6.2.9.
(Add)
16.3.4.4.1 Emergency forces notifications shall not be required for
day care occupancies with less than nineteen (19) clients, under
three thousand (3,000) ft 2 (278.71 m2) and located on a
ground floor.
(Amd)
16.3.4.5 Detection. Where a fire alarm system is required, a total
(complete) coverage fire detection system in accordance with §
9.6.2.9 shall be provided.
(Add) 16.3.4.5.1 In addition
to the requirements of § 9.6.2.9(2), smoke detectors shall be
installed in all lounges, recreation areas and sleeping rooms within
the day-care occupancy.
(Add)
16.3.4.6 Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms. Every child day-care
occupancy shall be provided with either hardwired or wireless smoke
and carbon monoxide alarms installed in accordance with the
referenced edition of NFPA 72. Local smoke alarms shall not be
required in areas protected by system smoke detectors.
(Add) A.16.3.4.6 The
application or use of single-station carbon monoxide alarms in
sleeping areas is considered the equivalent of installations in
dwelling units.
(Add) 16.3.4.7
Any
conflict between the provisions of this section and the provisions of
amended § 9.6 of this shall be resolved in favor of compliance
with the most reasonable combined requirements as determined by the
State Fire Marshal’s Office.
(Amd)
16.6.3.4.6 Single-station or multiple station carbon monoxide alarms
or detectors shall be provided in accordance with § 9.12 in day
care homes where client sleeping occurs.
8.1.17 CHAPTER 17 –
EXISTING DAY-CARE OCCUPANCIES
(Add)
17.2.2.2.3.4 It shall be recognized that, in buildings or portions
thereof, housing certain clients who exhibit behavior that is harmful
to themselves or others, it might be necessary to lock egress doors
to confine and protect building inhabitants.
(Add)
17.2.2.2.3.5 Buildings, or sections thereof, that primarily house
clients who, in the opinion of the governing body of the facility,
the governmental licensing agency, or authority having jurisdiction,
are incapable of self-preservation under emergency conditions shall
be permitted to have locking arrangements complying with the
provisions of § 19.2.2.2.5.
(Add)
17.2.2.2.3.6 The requirements of § 17.2.2.2.3.5 shall only apply
when staff is available in all secured client-occupied areas to
perform certain fire safety functions as required in §§
19.2.2.2.5 through 19.2.2.2.5.2, and 19.7.
(Amd)
17.3.4.1. General. Day-care occupancies shall be provided with a fire
alarm system in accordance with § 9.6.
(Amd)
17.3.4.2 Initiation. Initiation of the required fire alarm system
shall be by all of the following means:
1. Manual means in accordance
with § 9.6.2.1(1),
2. Where automatic sprinklers
are provided, initiation of the fire alarm system by sprinkler system
waterflow.
3. An approved fire detection
system in accordance with § 9.6.2.9.
(Amd)
17.3.4.4.1 Emergency forces notification shall be accomplished in
accordance with § 9.6.4.
(Amd)
17.3.4.4.2 Emergency forces notifications shall not be required for
day care occupancies with less than nineteen (19) clients, under
three thousand (3,000) ft 2 (278.71 m 2 ) and
located on a ground floor.
(Amd)
17.3.4.5 Detection. Where a fire alarm system is required, a total
(complete) coverage fire detection system in accordance with §
9.6.2.9 shall be provided.
(Add) 17.3.4.5.1 In addition
to the requirements of § 9.6.2.9(2), smoke detectors shall be
installed in all lounges, recreation areas and sleeping rooms within
the day-care occupancy.
Exception: The requirements
of this section shall not apply to rooms that have previously
approved hardwired smoke alarms AND system heat detectors or
automatic sprinklers.
(Add)
17.3.4.6 Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms. Every child day-care
occupancy shall be provided with either hardwired or wireless smoke
and carbon monoxide alarms installed in accordance with the
referenced edition of NFPA 72. Local smoke alarms shall not be
required in areas protected by system smoke detectors.
(Add) A.17.3.4.6 The
application or use of single-station carbon monoxide alarms in
sleeping areas is considered the equivalent of installations in
dwelling units.
(Add) 17.3.4.7
Any
conflict between the provisions of this section and the provisions of
amended § 9.6 of this shall be resolved in favor of compliance
with the most reasonable combined requirements as determined by the
State Fire Marshal’s Office.
(Res)
17.6.3.4.4
(Add)
17.6.3.4.6. Carbon Monoxide Alarms.
Day-care
homes shall be provided with either hardwired or wireless carbon
monoxide alarms installed in accordance with the referenced edition
of NFPA 72.
8.1.18 CHAPTER 18 –
NEW HEALTH CARE OCCUPANCIES
(Amd)
18.3.4.5.1 General. A total (complete) coverage fire detection system
in accordance with § 9.6.2.9 shall be provided.
(Res)
18.3.4.5.3
(Add)
18.3.4.6
Any
conflict between the provisions of this section and the provisions of
amended § 9.6 of this shall be resolved in favor of compliance
with the most reasonable combined requirements as determined by the
State Fire Marshal’s Office.
8.1.19 CHAPTER 19 –
EXISTING HEALTH CARE OCCUPANCIES
(Res)
19.3.4.2.3
(Amd)
19.3.4.5.1 A total (complete) coverage fire detection system in
accordance with § 9.6.2.9 shall be provided, unless otherwise
permitted by § 19.3.4.5.3.
(Add)
19.3.4.5.3 Health care occupancies built or converted prior to
January 1, 2005 shall be permitted to have a fire detection system
complying with § 9.6.2.11.
(Add)
19.3.4.6
Any
conflict between the provisions of this section and the provisions of
amended § 9.6 of this shall be resolved in favor of compliance
with the most reasonable combined requirements as determined by the
State Fire Marshal’s Office.
(Amd)
19.4.2.1 All high-rise buildings containing health care occupancies
shall be protected throughout by an approved, supervised automatic
sprinkler system in accordance with the RIFC, NFPA 1, as amended.
(Res)
19.4.2.2
(Add)
19.4.2.3 High-rise buildings shall be provided with a detection,
alarm and communication system in accordance with § 11.8.4 and
an emergency command center complying with § 11.8.6.
8.1.20 CHAPTER 20 –
NEW AMBULATORY HEALTH CARE OCCUPANCIES
(Amd)
20.3.4.1 General. Ambulatory health care facilities shall be provided
with fire alarm systems in accordance with § 9.6, except as
modified by §§ 20.3.4.2 through 20.3.4.5.
(Amd)
20.3.4.2 Initiation. Initiation of the required fire alarm systems
shall be by manual means in accordance with § 9.6.2 and by means
of any required sprinkler system waterflow alarms, detection devices
or detection systems.
(Add)
20.3.4.5 Detection. A total (complete) coverage fire detection system
in accordance with § 9.6.2.9 shall be provided.
(Add)
20.3.4.6
Any
conflict between the provisions of this section and the provisions of
amended § 9.6 of this shall be resolved in favor of compliance
with the most reasonable combined requirements as determined by the
State Fire Marshal’s Office.
8.1.21 CHAPTER 21 –
EXISTING AMBULATORY HEALTH CARE OCCUPANCIES
(Amd)
21.3.4.1 General. Ambulatory health care facilities shall be provided
with fire alarm systems in accordance with § 9.6, except as
modified by §§ 21.3.4.2 through 21.3.4.5.
(Amd)
21.3.4.2 Initiation. Initiation of the required fire alarm systems
shall be by manual means in accordance with § 9.6.2 and by means
of any required sprinkler system waterflow alarms, detection devices
or detection systems.
(Add)
21.3.4.5 Detection.
1. (Add) 21.3.4.5.1 A total
(complete) coverage fire detection system in accordance with shall be
provided, unless otherwise permitted by § 21.3.4.5.2.
2. (Add) 21.3.4.5.2 Ambulatory
health care occupancies built or converted prior to January 1, 2005
shall be permitted to have a fire detection system complying with §
9.6.2.11.
(Add)
21.3.4.6
Any
conflict between the provisions of this section and the provisions of
amended § 9.6 of this shall be resolved in favor of compliance
with the most reasonable combined requirements as determined by the
State Fire Marshal’s Office.
8.1.22 CHAPTER 22 –
NEW DETENTION AND CORRECTIONAL OCCUPANCIES
(Amd)
22.3.4.3.2.1. Emergency forces notification shall be accomplished in
accordance with § 9.6.4.
(Res)
22.3.4.3.2.2.
(Amd)
22.3.4.4 Detection. An approved fire detection system, including a
smoke detection system throughout all resident sleeping areas and
adjacent day rooms, activity rooms, or contiguous common spaces,
shall be in accordance with § 9.6.2.11 as modified by §§
22.3.4.4.1 through 22.3.4.4.5.
(Add) 22.3.4.5.
Any
conflict between the provisions of this section and the provisions of
amended § 9.6 of this shall be resolved in favor of compliance
with the most reasonable combined requirements as determined by the
State Fire Marshal’s Office.
(Amd)
22.4.3 High-Rise Buildings. High-rise buildings shall comply with §§
11.8.3, 11.8.4 and 11.8.6.
(Amd)
22.4.4.9 Detection, Alarm, and Communications Systems (Nonsprinklered
Buildings). A fire alarms system in accordance with §§
22.3.4 and 9.6 shall be provided.
(Res) 22.4.4.9.1
(Res) 22.4.4.9.2
8.1.23 CHAPTER 23 –
EXISTING DETENTION AND CORRECTIONAL OCCUPANCIES
(Amd)
23.3.4.2 Initiation of the required fire alarm system shall be by
manual means in accordance with § 9.6.2 and by means of any
required sprinkler system water flow alarms, detection devices, or
detection systems, unless otherwise permitted by the following:
1. Manual fire alarm boxes
shall be permitted to be locked, provided that staff is present
within the area when it is occupied and staff has keys readily
available to unlock the boxes.
2. Manual fire alarm boxes
shall be permitted to be located in a staff location, provided that
both of the following criteria are met:
a. The staff location is
attended when the building is occupied.
b. The staff attendant has
direct supervision of the sleeping area.
(Res) 23.3.4.2.2
(Amd) 23.3.4.3.2.1 Emergency
forces notification shall be accomplished in accordance with §
9.6.4.
(Res) 23.3.4.3.2.2
(Amd)
22.3.4.4 Detection. An approved fire detection system, including a
smoke detection system throughout all resident housing areas, shall
be in accordance with § 9.6.2.11 as modified by §§
23.3.4.4.1 through 23.3.4.4.4.
(Add) 23.3.4.5
Any
conflict between the provisions of this section and the provisions of
amended § 9.6 of this shall be resolved in favor of compliance
with the most reasonable combined requirements as determined by the
State Fire Marshal’s Office.
(Add)
23.4.3.1 Existing high-rise buildings shall comply with §§
11.8.4 and 11.8.6.
8.1.24 CHAPTER 24 –
ONE AND TWO FAMILY DWELLINGS
24.1.1 Application
(Amd) 24.1.1.1
The Rhode Island Fire Code’s
application to one (1) and two (2) family dwellings is strictly
limited to the installation of smoke and carbon monoxide smoke
detection as outlined in sections §§ 24.6.1 through
24.6.3.1.7 as outlined below. §§ 24.1 through 24.5.1.2 may
therefore only be otherwise utilized by the AHJ if they are
specifically referenced by §§ 24.6.1 through 24.6.3.1.7 or
are referenced by, and mandated under, a separate occupancy section
of this code.
(Add) 24.6.1
Compliance with State Building
and Minimum Housing Codes.
(Add) 24.6.1.1
All one (1) and two (2)
family dwellings shall remain subject to, and comply with, the State
Building Code SBC-2, 510-RICR-00-00-2
adopted pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 23-27.3 et seq .
(Add) 24.6.1.2
All one (1) and two (2)
family dwellings shall further remain subject to, and comply with the
Minimum Housing Standards outlined in R.I. Gen. Laws § 45-24.2-1
et seq .
(Add)
24.6.2 Installation of Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms-New and
converted buildings.
(Add) 24.6.2.1
All buildings hereinafter
constructed or converted for residential occupancy, including mobile
and modular homes, shall be provided with smoke and carbon monoxide
alarms, installed in accordance with §§ 24.3.4.1.1 and
24.3.4.2 and NFPA 72, 2019 edition, at the direction and to the
satisfaction of the AHJ.
(Add) 24.6.2.1.1
The above smoke and carbon
monoxide alarms may be installed as either separate or combination
units approved by the AHJ.
(Add) 24.6.2.1.1.1
In addition, an
interconnected smoke alarm(s) shall be installed in all communicating
attached garages for which a building permit was issued on or after
January 1, 2019.
EXCEPTION: Rate-of-rise heat
detectors, fixed-temperature heat detectors or other type detectors
or alarms, listed for these applications, may be installed in
situations where physical, environmental or other conditions would
render smoke alarms impractical.
(Add) 24.6.2.1.2
The above smoke and carbon
monoxide alarms may be either hardwired or wireless units approved by
the AHJ.
(Add) 24.6.2.1.3
The local fire authorities
certified by the State Fire Marshal as prescribed in R.I. Gen. Laws §
23-28.2-6, in cooperation with the local Building Code Officials,
shall enforce the provisions of this Chapter.
(Add) 24.6.2.1.4
Compliance with the above
provisions shall be considered a prerequisite to the approval, by the
fire authority, of any certificate of occupancy issued by the
building official pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-27.3-120.
(Add) 24.6.2.1.5
It shall be the
responsibility of the owner to maintain in operable condition smoke
and carbon monoxide alarms, installed as required pursuant to this
Chapter, and the owner shall make operable, within seven (7) days
after being notified by certified mail by the occupant and/or
enforcement official, any inoperable alarms.
(Add) 24.6.2.1.5.1
If the owner fails to make
the alarms operable within the required seven (7) days, the tenant
may cause the alarms to be made operable if the reasonable total
reasonable cost of making the repairs does not exceed the sum of
fifty dollars ($50.00), and the tenant may deduct from his or her
rent the actual reasonable cost of repairs not to exceed fifty
($50.00).
(Add) 24.6.2.1.5.2
The payment of the reasonable
costs, outlined in § 24.6.2.1.5.1, shall not exempt the owner
from the payment of fines for violation of this Code as outlined in
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-28.3-9.
(Add) 24.6.3 Installation of
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms-Existing Buildings
(Add) 24.6.3.1
All occupied residential
properties, including mobile homes, shall, at the responsibility of
the seller before title to the property is transferred, be provided
with smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, installed in accordance with
NFPA 72, 2019 edition, , at the direction and to the satisfaction of
the AHJ.
(Add) 24.6.3.1.1
The above smoke and carbon
monoxide alarms may be installed as either separate or combination
units approved by the AHJ. Carbon monoxide alarms required by §
24.6.3 shall be in accordance with § 24.3.4.2.
The requirements for the
above smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms or detectors shall be
as follows:
(Add) 24.6.3.1.1.1 Homes built
in 1976 or prior:
(1) Smoke Alarms shall be
installed outside sleeping areas and on each level of the dwelling
unit(s) (including basements).
(2) Smoke Alarms shall be
permitted to be battery operated.
(3) Smoke Alarms are not
required to be interconnected.
(4) Carbon Monoxide Alarms or
Detectors shall be installed outside sleeping areas.
(5) Carbon Monoxide Alarms or
Detectors shall be permitted to be battery operated.
(6) Carbon Monoxide Alarms or
Detectors are not required to be interconnected.
(Add) 24.6.3.1.1.2 Homes
built on and after January 1, 1977 through December 31, 2001:
(1) Smoke Alarms shall be
installed outside sleeping areas and on each level of the dwelling
unit(s) (including basements).
(2) Smoke Alarms shall be
hard-wired with battery backup.
(3) Smoke Alarms shall be
required to be interconnected.
(4) Carbon Monoxide Alarms or
Detectors shall be installed outside sleeping areas.
(5) Carbon Monoxide Alarms or
Detectors shall be permitted to be battery operated.
(6) Carbon Monoxide Alarms or
Detectors are not required to be interconnected.
(Add) 24.6.3.1.1.3 Homes
built on and after January 1, 2002 through February 19, 2004:
(1) Smoke Alarms shall be
installed outside sleeping areas and on each level of the dwelling
unit(s) (including basements).
(2) Smoke Alarms shall be
hard-wired with battery backup.
(3) Smoke Alarms shall be
required to be interconnected.
(4) Carbon Monoxide Alarms or
Detectors shall be installed outside sleeping areas.
(5) Carbon Monoxide Alarms or
Detectors shall be hard-wired with battery backup.
(6) Carbon Monoxide Alarms or
Detectors shall be required to be interconnected.
(Add) 24.6.3.1.1.4 Homes
built on and after February 20, 2004 through December 31, 2012:
(1) Smoke Alarms shall be
installed inside each bedroom, outside sleeping areas and on each
level of the dwelling unit(s) (including basements) (In accordance
with NFPA 72 (2002 Edition).
(2) Smoke Alarms shall be
hard-wired with battery backup.
(3) Smoke Alarms shall be
required to be interconnected.
(4) Carbon Monoxide Alarms or
Detectors shall be installed outside each sleeping area.
(5) Carbon Monoxide Alarms or
Detectors shall be hard-wired with battery backup.
(6) Carbon Monoxide Alarms or
Detectors shall be required to be interconnected.
(Add) 24.6.3.1.1.5 Homes
built on and after January 1, 2013 through September 30, 2016:
(1) Smoke Alarms shall be
installed in accordance with NFPA 72 (2010 Edition).
(2) Carbon Monoxide Alarms or
Detectors shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 720 (2012
Edition).
(Add) 24.6.3.1.1.6 Homes built
on and after October 1, 2016:
(1) Smoke Alarms shall be
installed in accordance with § 24.3.4.1.1 and NFPA 72 (2013
Edition).
(2) Carbon Monoxide Alarms or
Detectors shall be installed in accordance with § 24.3.4.2 and
NFPA 720 (2015 Edition).
(Add) 24.6.3.1.1.7
Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 24.6.3.1.1.1 through
24.6.3.1.1.6, newly constructed or converted bedrooms or sleeping
areas shall comply with the requirements for new construction in
place at the time of construction or conversion.
(Add) 24.6.3.1.2
The above smoke and carbon
monoxide alarms may be installed as follows:
(1) Where the above provisions
require both smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms or detectors,
combination devices shall be permitted and deemed acceptable.
(2) Where smoke alarms are
required, household fire alarm systems, in accordance with NFPA 72
(2019 Edition), shall be permitted and deemed to be acceptable.
(Add) 24.6.3.1.3
The local fire authorities
shall enforce the provisions of this chapter. The State Fire
Marshal’s Office may enforce the provisions of this chapter
when so requested to by the local authority or when the local
authority is either unwilling or unable to fulfill its obligations
under this chapter.
(Add) 24.6.3.1.3.1
The local fire authority that
performs smoke and carbon monoxide alarm inspections in all
residential occupancies shall, at the time of the inspection, be
allowed to charge a thirty dollar ($30.00) fee for the inspection of
any residential occupancy. The responsibility of this charged fee
will be borne by the seller on each occurrence before title to the
property is transferred. A sixty dollar ($60.00) fee will be allowed
for any subsequent re-inspection of the same residential occupancy
due to improper installation, wrong location, improper wiring method,
or the seller’s failure to maintain a mutually agreed upon
appointment with the local fire authority that performs the
inspection function. The fees collected by the local fire authority
shall be used for fire prevention purposes in that particular city,
town, fire district, or other municipal subdivision.
(Add) 24.6.3.1.4
At the time of the transfer
of title, the seller must provide the purchaser with a certificate
from the fire department for the community in which the dwelling is
located stating that the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms have been
inspected within one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the date of
sale and has been determined to be in good working order. The fire
department for the community in which the dwelling is located must
inspect the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms of the dwelling within
ten days of a request from the owner. The inspection may be conducted
by qualified personnel of the department or the State Fire Marshal’s
Office. Neither the fire department nor the State Fire Marshal shall
be liable for any damage caused by the subsequent malfunction of a
smoke alarm or carbon monoxide alarm which it inspected.
(Add) 24.6.3.1.4.1
Transfers of real property
are exempt from compliance with the provisions of 24.6.2 and 24.6.3
if:
(1) The property being
transferred does not contain residential dwellings;
(2) Within the past six (6)
months a certificate of use or occupancy has been issued for the
property being transferred;
(3) The property being
transferred currently maintains the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms,
as certified by the local AHJ, in accordance § 24.6.3.1.3.1;
(4) The property being
transferred is uninhabitable without the issuance of a certificate of
use and occupancy;
(5) The property is being
transferred pursuant to a foreclosure sale, a tax sale, as a
redemption of a tax sale, or in lieu of foreclosure, and provided
further that the requirements of this Chapter 24 shall be met prior
to the re-occupancy of the property;
(6) The property is being
transferred by operation of law, or pursuant to an order of any
United States Court, or any Superior or Family Court of the State of
Rhode Island, and provided further that such court order specifically
directs non-compliance with this Chapter 24; or
(7) The property is being
acquired by the State for demolition and will not be sold or used by
the State for residential purposes.
(Add) 24.6.3.1.5
It shall be the
responsibility of the owner to maintain in operable condition smoke
and carbon monoxide alarms, installed as required pursuant to this
Chapter, and the owner shall make operable, within seven (7) days
after being notified by certified mail by the occupant and/or
enforcement official, any inoperable system.
(Add) 24.6.3.1.5.1
If the owner fails to make
the alarms operable within the required seven (7) days, the tenant
may cause the alarms to be made operable if the reasonable total
reasonable cost of making the repairs does not exceed the sum of
fifty dollars ($50.00), and the tenant may deduct from his or her
rent the actual reasonable cost of repairs not to exceed fifty
dollars ($50.00).
(Add) 24.6.3.1.6
Owners of existing
residential properties, previously required to install smoke alarms,
shall maintain those detectors in good operating condition.
(Add) 24.6.3.1.7
Owners of existing
residential properties, previously required to install smoke alarms,
shall not be required to immediately install the carbon monoxide
alarms. However, full compliance with § 24.6 shall be required
with the next transfer of title.
8.1.25 CHAPTER 25 –
Three Family Apartment Building
(Add) 25.1 Compliance with
State Building and Minimum Housing Codes.
(Add) 25.1.1
All three (3) family
apartment buildings shall remain subject to, and comply with, the
State Building Code adopted pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter
23-27.3 et seq .
(Add) 25.1.2
All three (3) family
apartment buildings shall further remain subject to, and comply with
the Minimum Housing Standards outlined in R.I. Gen. Laws §
45-24.2-1 et seq .
(Add) 25.2 Installation of
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms.
(Add) 25.2.1 New Three-Family
Apartment Buildings
All three (3) family
apartment buildings hereinafter constructed or converted for
residential occupancy, including modular homes, shall be provided
with smoke alarms, installed in accordance with § 9.6.2.10.1.
(Add) 25.2.1.1 In addition to
the smoke alarms required within the dwelling unit, smoke alarms
shall also be located in common areas as follows:
(1) On each floor landing of
common stairways
(2) In common corridors
(3) In common basements
Exception: Common area smoke
alarms shall not be required in three (3) family apartments that are
protected with an approved automatic sprinkler system.
(Add) 25.2.1.2 The smoke
alarms required by § 25.2.1.1 shall all be interconnected,
however, shall not be interconnected with any dwelling unit smoke
alarms.
(Add) 25.2.1.3 All three
(3)family apartment buildings hereinafter constructed or converted
for residential occupancy, including modular homes, shall be provided
with carbon monoxide alarms in accordance with § 9.12.
Carbon monoxide alarms shall
only be required where either of the following conditions exist:
(1) Dwelling units with
communicating attached garages, unless otherwise exempted by §
25.2.1.3.1.
(2) Dwelling units containing
fuel-burning appliances or fuel-burning fireplaces.
(Add) 25.2.1.3.1 Carbon
monoxide alarms shall not be required in the following locations:
a. In garages
b. Within dwelling units with
communicating attached garages that are open parking structures as
defined by the Building Code
c. Within dwelling units with
communicating attached garages that are mechanically vented in
accordance with the Mechanical Code
(Add) 25.2.1.4
The above smoke and carbon
monoxide alarms may be installed as either separate or combination
units approved by the AHJ.
(Add) 25.2.1.5
The above smoke and carbon
monoxide alarms may be either hardwired one hundred twenty (120) vAC
powered devices with an approved secondary (standby) power source or
low-power radio (wireless) devices. Hardwired AC-powered devices
utilizing wireless interconnection technology shall be permitted.
(Add) 25.2.1.6
The local fire authorities
certified by the State Fire Marshal as prescribed in R.I. Gen. Laws §
23-28.2-9, in cooperation with the local building code officials,
shall enforce the provisions of this Chapter. The State Fire
Marshal’s Office may enforce the provisions of this Chapter
when so requested to by the local authority or when the local
authority is either unwilling or unable to fulfill its obligations
under this Chapter.
(Add) 25.2.1.7
Compliance with the above
provisions shall be considered a prerequisite to the approval, by the
fire authority, of any certificate of occupancy issued by the
building official pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-27.3-120.
(Add) 25.2.1.8
It shall be the
responsibility of the owner to maintain in operable condition smoke
and carbon monoxide alarms, installed as required pursuant to this
Chapter, and the owner shall make operable, within seven (7) days
after being notified by certified mail by the occupant and/or
enforcement official, any inoperable alarms.
(Add) 25.2.1.8.1
If the owner fails to make
the alarms operable within the required seven (7) days, the tenant
may cause the alarms to be made operable if the reasonable total
reasonable cost of making the repairs does not exceed the sum of
twenty dollars ($20.00), and the tenant may deduct from his or her
rent the actual reasonable cost of repairs not to exceed twenty
($20.00).
(Add) 25.2.1.8.2
The payment of the reasonable
costs, outlined in § 25.2.1.8.1, shall not exempt the owner from
the payment of fines for violation of this Code as outlined in R.I.
Gen. Laws § 23-28.3-9.
(Add) 25.2.2 Existing
Three-Family Apartment Buildings
All existing three (3) family
apartment buildings used for residential occupancy, including modular
homes, shall, be provided with smoke alarms, installed in accordance
with § 9.6.2.10.1.
(Add) 25.2.2.1 The provisions
of § 9.6.2.10.3 shall not apply.
(Add) 25.2.2.2 In addition to
the smoke alarms required within the dwelling unit, smoke alarms
shall also be located in common areas as follows:
(1) On each floor landing of
common stairways
(2) In common corridors
(3) In common basements
Exception: Common area smoke
alarms shall not be required in three (3) family apartments that are
protected with an approved automatic sprinkler system.
(Add) 25.2.2.3 The smoke
alarms required by § 25.2.2.2 shall all be interconnected,
however, shall not be interconnected with any dwelling unit smoke
alarms.
(Add) 25.2.2.4 All existing
three (3) family apartment buildings used for residential occupancy,
including modular homes, shall be provided with carbon monoxide
alarms in accordance with § 9.12.
Carbon monoxide alarms shall
only be required where either of the following conditions exist:
(1) Dwelling units with
communicating attached garages, unless otherwise exempted by §
25.2.2.4.1.
(2) Dwelling units
containing fuel-burning appliances or fuel-burning fireplaces.
(Add) 25.2.2.4.1 Carbon
monoxide alarms shall not be required in the following locations:
a. In garages
b. Within dwelling units
with communicating attached garages that are open parking structures
as defined by the Building Code
c. Within dwelling units
with communicating attached garages that are mechanically vented in
accordance with the Mechanical Code
(Add) 25.2.2.5
The above smoke and carbon
monoxide alarms may be installed as either separate or combination
units.
(Add) 25.2.2.6
The above smoke and carbon
monoxide alarms may be either hardwired one hundred twenty (120) vAC
powered devices with an approved secondary (standby) power source or
low-power radio (wireless) system devices. Hardwired AC-powered
devices utilizing wireless interconnection technology shall be
permitted.
(Add) 25.2.2.7
The local fire authorities
certified by the State Fire Marshal's Office as prescribed in R.I.
Gen. Laws § 23-28.2-9, in cooperation with the building code
officials, shall enforce the provisions of this Chapter. The State
Fire Marshal’s Office may enforce the provisions of this
Chapter when so requested to by the local authority or when the local
authority is either unwilling or unable to fulfill its obligations
under this Chapter.
(Add) 25.2.3 Power Supplies
(1) Power supplies for smoke
alarms shall be in accordance with NFPA 72 (2019).
(2) Power supplies for carbon
monoxide alarms shall be in accordance with NFPA 72 (2019).
(Add) 25.2.4
The local fire authority that
performs smoke and carbon monoxide alarm inspections in all
residential occupancies shall, at the time of the inspection, be
allowed to charge a thirty dollar ($30.00) fee for the inspection of
any residential occupancy. The responsibility of this charged fee
will be borne by the seller on each occurrence before title to the
property is transferred. A sixty dollar ($60.00) fee will be allowed
for any subsequent re-inspection of the same residential occupancy
due to improper installation, wrong location, improper wiring method,
or the seller’s failure to maintain a mutually agreed upon
appointment with the local fire authority that performs the
inspection function. The fees collected by the local fire authority
shall be used for fire prevention purposes in that particular city,
town, fire district, or other municipal subdivision.
(Add) 25.2.4.1
At the time of the transfer
of title, the seller must provide the purchaser with a certificate
from the fire department for the community in which the dwelling is
located stating that the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms have been
inspected within one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the date of
sale and has been determined to be in good working order. The fire
department for the community in which the dwelling is located must
inspect the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms of the dwelling within
ten (10) days of a request from the owner. The inspection may be
conducted by qualified personnel of the department or the State Fire
Marshal’s Office. No fire department nor the State Fire Marshal
shall be liable for any damage caused by the subsequent malfunction
of a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm which it inspected.
(Add) 25.2.4.2
Transfers of real property
are exempt from compliance with the provisions of §§ 25.2.2
through 25.2.4.5 if:
1. The property being
transferred does not contain residential dwellings;
2. Within the past six (6)
months a certificate of use or occupancy has been issued for the
property being transferred;
3. The property being
transferred currently maintains the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms,
as certified by the local AHJ, in accordance with § 25.2.2.3.1;
4. The property being
transferred is uninhabitable without the issuance of a certificate of
use and occupancy referenced in § 25.2.1.7;
5. The property is being
transferred pursuant to a foreclosure sale, a tax sale, as a
redemption of a tax sale, or in lieu of foreclosure, and provided
further that the requirements of this Chapter shall met prior to the
re-occupancy of the property;
6. The property is being
transferred by operation of law, or pursuant to an order of any
United States Court, or any Superior or Family Court of the State of
Rhode Island, and provided further that such court order specifically
directs non-compliance with this Chapter; or
7. The property is being
acquired by the State for demolition and will not be sold or used by
the State for residential purposes.
(Add) RILSC 25.2.4.3
It shall be the
responsibility of the owner to maintain in operable condition smoke
and carbon monoxide alarms, installed as required pursuant to this
chapter, and the owner shall make operable, within seven (7) days
after being notified by certified mail by the occupant and/or
enforcement official, any inoperable alarms.
(Add) RILSC 25.2.4.4
If the owner fails to make
the alarms operable within the required seven (7) days, the tenant
may cause the alarms to be made operable if the reasonable total
reasonable cost of making the repairs does not exceed the sum of
fifty dollars ($50.00), and the tenant may deduct from his or her
rent the actual reasonable cost of repairs not to exceed fifty
($50.00).
(Add) RILSC 25.2.4.5
Owners of existing
residential properties, previously required to install smoke alarms,
shall maintain those detectors in good operating condition.
(Add) RILSC 25.2.4.6
The State Fire Marshal is
hereby authorized to consult with the Chief Judge of the Rhode Island
Family Court to develop and implement a plan of action, addressing
the installation appropriate limited smoke and carbon monoxide
detection for the immediate safe temporary placement of children,
supervised by the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and
Families, in properties covered under this Chapter.
8.1.26 CHAPTER 26 –
LODGING OR ROOMING HOUSES
(Amd) 26.1.1.1
The
requirements of this Chapter shall apply to buildings that provide
sleeping accommodations for sixteen (16) or fewer persons on either a
transient or permanent basis, with or without meals, but without
separate cooking facilities for individual occupants, except as
provided in Chapter 24 and/or §§ 26.1.1.1.1 through
26.1.1.1.8 (Bed and Breakfast Homes and Congregate Family Living
Facilities) as outlined below.
(Add) 26.1.1.1.1
A “Bed and Breakfast
Home” is defined as an owner and/or innkeeper occupied building
that provides sleeping accommodations for up to sixteen (16) guests.
Every “Bed and Breakfast Home” must further have
originated as a private home and must have at least three hundred
(300) square feet of common space (i.e. dining room, living room,
etc.) for guest use, and must further provide breakfast. Finally, the
owner and/or innkeeper must occupy the building twenty-four (24)
hours a day, seven (7) days a week, while guests are utilizing the
facility. The owner and/or innkeeper of the Bed and Breakfast Home
shall have a plan of action, approved by the local official, to
assure the safety of the guests in the event the owner or innkeeper
is required to temporarily leave the facility unsupervised for
limited periods during the day.
(Add) 26.1.1.1.2
A “No Smoking”
policy, throughout the building, shall be strictly enforced.
(Add) 26.1.1.1.3
With the exception of
fireplaces and/or wood stoves, approved by local fire department
and/or the local mechanical inspector, there shall be no open flame
in the bedrooms of these facilities. Specifically, candles, incense
or similar materials shall not be allowed in the bedrooms. All
approved fireplaces and/or wood stoves shall further be provided with
approved metal screens or glass doors. Any fireplace or wood stove
located in the common areas shall also be approved by local fire
department and/or the local mechanical inspector with the above
safeguards.
(Add) 26.1.1.1.4
All “Bed and Breakfast
Homes” require hardwired, interconnected smoke and carbon
monoxide alarms installed in accordance with the Regulations and
standards of Chapter 24. There shall be approved detection in each
sleeping room.
(Add) 26.1.1.1.5
All “Bed and Breakfast
Homes” with a capacity of between four (4) and six (6) guests
shall meet the following requirements for this occupancy:
1. Hardwired or low power
radio wireless interconnected smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms
shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 72, 2019 edition.
2. Emergency lighting shall be
installed in any corridors and/or stairways greater than eight feet
(8’) in length.
3. Externally illuminated exit
signs shall be installed.
4. An evacuation plan,
containing alternative emergency egress routes, shall be presented to
the local fire authority for approval.
5. The owner and/or innkeeper
shall receive comprehensive fire extinguisher training.
6. It is recommended that the
facility be annually inspected by the local fire authority. Any
existing curtains, bedding, rugs or similar flammable materials,
shall only be replaced, in the future, by fire retardant materials,
manufactured and/or treated to the satisfaction of the local fire
authority.
7. Any existing fire detection
and/or suppression system shall be maintained as a required system.
(Add) 26.1.1.1.6
All “Bed and Breakfast
Homes” with a capacity of between seven (7) and sixteen (16)
guests shall meet the following requirements for this occupancy:
1. A fire alarm system
installed in accordance with § 26.3.4.1.1 shall be provided.
2. Hardwired or low power
radio wireless interconnected smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms
shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 72, 2019 edition. (May be
incorporated into the above fire alarm system).
3. Solid core doors,
maintaining an approximate fire rating of twenty (20) minutes, shall
be installed in the existing egress system door jambs with
spring-loaded hinges. The local fire authority may approve an
alternative plan of action allowing historically significant doors,
with an approved Class-A flame-spread finish and spring loaded
hinges, to be retained.
4. Emergency lighting shall be
installed in any corridors and/or stairways greater than eight feet
(8’) in length.
5. Externally illuminated exit
signs shall be installed.
6. An evacuation plan,
containing alternative emergency egress routes, shall be presented to
the local fire authority for approval.
7. The owner and/or innkeeper
shall receive comprehensive fire extinguisher training.
8. The facility shall be
annually inspected by the local fire authority. Any existing
curtains, bedding, rugs or similar flammable materials, shall only be
replaced, in the future, by fire retardant materials, manufactured
and/or treated to the satisfaction of the local fire authority.
9. Any existing fire detection
and/or suppression system shall be maintained as a required system.
(Add) 26.1.1.1.7
Any building complying with
the above “Bed and Breakfast Home” guidelines, with a
capacity in excess of sixteen (16) guests, shall be required comply
with the requirements for a “Hotel and Dormitory”
occupancy as outlined in the provisions of Chapters 28 or 29, as
applicable (new or existing), of the Rhode Island Life Safety Code.
(Add) 26.1.1.1.8
Congregate Family Living
Facility is defined as a building or part thereof that contains
sleeping rooms where residents share the entire structure and live,
cook and function together as a single housekeeping unit. Every
“Congregate Family Living Facility” must further have
originated as a private residence, shall be limited to no more than
two (2) stories in height and shall not exceed two thousand five
hundred (2,500) gross square feet.
(Add) 26.1.1.1.8.1
All “Congregate Family
Living Facilities” require smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
installed in accordance with the regulations and standards of Chapter
24. There shall be approved detection in each sleeping room.
(Add) 26.1.1.1.8.2
All “Congregate Family
Living Facilities” with a capacity of between four (4) and six
(6) residents shall meet the following requirements for this
occupancy:
1. Interconnected smoke
alarms and carbon monoxide alarms shall be installed in accordance
with NFPA 72.
2. Emergency lighting shall
be installed in any corridors and/or stairways greater than eight
feet (8’) in length.
3. Externally illuminated
exit signs shall be installed.
4. An evacuation plan,
containing alternative emergency egress routes, shall be presented to
the local fire authority for approval, and upon approval shall be
posted in every sleeping room.
(Add) 26.1.1.1.8.3
All “Congregate Family
Living Facilities” with a capacity of between seven (7) and
sixteen (16) residents shall meet the following requirements for this
occupancy:
1. A fire alarm system
installed in accordance with § 26.3.4.1.1 shall be provided.
2. Interconnected smoke
alarms and carbon monoxide alarms shall be installed in accordance
with NFPA 72. (May be incorporated into the above fire alarm system).
3. Solid core doors,
maintaining an approximate fire rating of twenty (20) minutes, shall
be installed in the existing egress system door jambs with
spring-loaded hinges. The local fire authority may approve an
alternative plan of action allowing historically significant doors,
with an approved Class-A flame-spread finish and spring-loaded
hinges, to be retained.
4. Emergency lighting shall
be installed in any corridors and/or stairways greater than eight
feet (8’) in length.
5. Externally illuminated
exit signs shall be installed.
6. An evacuation plan,
containing alternative emergency egress routes, shall be presented to
the local fire authority for approval, and upon approval shall be
posted in every sleeping room.
7. Any existing fire
detection and/or suppression system shall be maintained as a required
system.
(Add) 26.1.1.1.8.4
Any building complying with
the above “Congregate Family Living Facilities”
guidelines, with a capacity in excess of sixteen (16) residents,
shall be required comply with the requirements for a “Hotel and
Dormitory” occupancy as outlined in the provisions of Chapters
28 or 29, as applicable (new or existing), of the Rhode Island Life
Safety Code.
(Amd) 26.3.4.1.1
Lodging and rooming houses
shall be provided with a fire alarm system in accordance with §
9.6.
(Res) 26.3.4.1.2
(Amd) 26.3.4.2 Initiation.
Initiation of the required fire alarm system shall be by manual means
in accordance with § 9.6.2, a fire detection system required by
§ 23.3.4.4, and by alarm initiation in accordance with §
9.6.2.1(3) in buildings protected throughout by an approved automatic
sprinkler system in accordance with § 26.3.6.
(Amd) 26.3.4.4 Detection.
Where a fire alarm system is required, a system in accordance with §
9.6.2.11 shall be provided.
(Amd) 26.3.4.5.1 Approved
single-station smoke alarms shall be installed in accordance with §
9.6.2.10 in every sleeping room.
(Res) 26.3.4.5.3
(Amd) 26.3.4.6.1 Carbon
monoxide alarms or carbon monoxide detectors in accordance with §§
9.12 and 26.3.4.6 shall be provided in lodging or rooming houses
where either of the following conditions exists:
1. Lodging or rooming houses
with communicating attached garages, unless otherwise exempted by §
26.3.4.6.3
2. Lodging or rooming houses
containing fuel-burning appliances or fuel-burning fireplaces.
(Add) 26.3.4.7 Any conflict
between the provisions of this section and the provisions of amended
§ 9.6 of this shall be resolved in favor of compliance with the
most reasonable combined requirements as determined by the State Fire
Marshal’s Office.
(Amd) 26.3.6.1
All new lodging or rooming
houses shall be protected throughout by an approved automatic
sprinkler system in accordance with § 26.3.6.2.
(Add) 26.3.6.1.1
Every existing lodging or
rooming house built, or converted to this occupancy, on or after June
29, 1990, shall be protected throughout by an approved automatic
sprinkler system in accordance with § 26.3.6.2.
(Add) 26.3.6.3
Portable fire extinguishers
shall be provided in accordance with § 9.9 of this Code.
(Add) 26.5.2.3
Any furnace or boiler in the
building shall be equipped with an approved remote shutoff switch
approved by the AHJ.
8.1.27 CHAPTER 27 –
EMERGENCY SHELTER OCCUPANCY
(Add) 27.1 General
Requirements.
(Add) 27.1.1 Application.
(Add) 27.1.1.1
The requirements of this
Chapter shall apply to buildings that provide temporary emergency
sleeping space for sixteen (16) or fewer persons unless a greater
number of occupants is specifically approved by the Fire Safety Code
Board of Appeal and Review.
(Add) 27.1.1.2
Places of worship,
maintaining this temporary occupancy in accordance with the
provisions of this Chapter, shall not lose their exception from the
requirements of §§ 13.3.5.1 and 13.3.5.1.1 as outlined in §
13.3.5.2.1(4) of this Code.
(Add) 27.1.1.3
For buildings with larger
occupancies, the requirements of Chapters 28 and 29 are applicable.
The owners of such facilities may seek interim relief from specific
requirements from the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review.
(Add) 27.1.1.4
All emergency shelter
occupancies shall be located on the on the first (1 st )
floor or on the level of exit discharge unless specifically
authorized by the AHJ to be located on a lower or upper level.
(Add) 27.2 Means of Escape
Requirements
(Add) 27.2.1
There shall be at least two
(2) clearly defined means of escape to grade from the space used as
an emergency shelter.
(Add) 27.2.2
The means of escape,
stairways and doors shall comply with the provisions of §§
26.2.1.1 through 26.2.3 of this Code.
(Add) 27.2.3
The means of escape shall be
further protected with emergency lighting and exit signs approved by
the AHJ.
(Add) 27.3 Protection.
(Add) 27.3.1 Smoke and Carbon
Monoxide Detection
(Add) 27.3.1.1
Smoke alarms and carbon
monoxide detection shall be immediately provided and maintained in
accordance with the provisions of § 26.3.4. All such facilities
shall also be in compliance with § 26.3.4 of this Code.
(Add) 27.3.2 Supervision
(Add) 27.3.2.1
At least one (1) responsible
adult, approved by the AHJ and not a resident of the emergency
shelter occupancy, shall maintain a fire watch during all hours of
occupancy of the emergency shelter facility.
(Add) 27.3.2.1.1
In shelters used to
temporarily house families, a responsible adult member of each such
family may be approved by the AHJ to maintain the fire watch
referenced in § 27.3.2.1.
(Add) 27.3.2.2
The responsible adult(s) must
be trained in fire prevention techniques, fire department
notification, evacuation procedures and fire extinguisher operation
by the AHJ prior to being approved to oversee the fire watch.
(Add) 27.3.2.3
The owner or management of
the shelter shall provide the AHJ with a schedule listing the names
of the responsible adults conducting the fire watch and the times to
which they have been assigned this duty.
(Add) 27.3.2.4
A fire fighter on duty, as
defined in §§ 12.7.5.9 and 13.7.5.9 may be substituted for
the responsible adult at the discretion of the owner or management of
the emergency shelter facility.
(Add) 27.3.3 Protection from
Hazards.
(Add) 27.3.3.1
No smoking shall be allowed
in any building utilized as an emergency shelter facility during any
and all periods of this occupancy.
(Add) 27.3.3.2
No cooking shall be allowed
in any building utilized as an emergency shelter facility during any
and all periods of overnight occupancy. If specifically authorized by
the AHJ, cooking, with the appropriate temporary safeguards required
by the AHJ, may be allowed during limited periods when the occupants
are all awake and fully capable of self preservation.
(Add) 27.3.4 Fire
Extinguishers.
(Add) 27.3.4.1
A minimum of two (2) fire
extinguishers, installed at the direction and to the satisfaction of
the AHJ, shall be provided in every emergency shelter facility in
accordance with section of this Code.
8.1.28 CHAPTER 28 –
NEW HOTELS AND DORMITORIES
(Amd)
28.3.4.5 Detection. A fire detection system in accordance with §
9.6.2.11 shall be provided.
(Add)
28.3.4.8 Any conflict between the provisions of this section and the
provisions of amended § 9.6 of this shall be resolved in favor
of compliance with the most reasonable combined requirements as
determined by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
(Amd) 28.3.5.1
All
new hotel and/or dormitory occupancies shall be protected throughout
by approved automatic sprinkler systems in accordance with §
28.3.5.3.
(Amd) 28.3.5.2
Every
hotel and/or dormitory occupancy, every addition hereafter made to a
hotel and/or dormitory, and every building hereafter converted for
the purposes of a hotel and/or dormitory shall be completely
protected by an approved system of automatic sprinklers installed and
maintained in accordance with § 28.3.5.3.
(Res)
28.3.5.8
(Add)
28.3.5.9 Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided in all new
hotel occupancies in accordance with § 9.9 of this Code.
(Add)
28.5.2.3 Any furnace or boiler in the building shall be equipped with
an approved remote shutoff switch approved by the AHJ.
8.1.29 CHAPTER 29 –
EXISTING HOTELS AND DORMITORIES
(Amd)
29.3.4.1 General. A fire alarm system in accordance with § 9.6,
except as modified by §§ 29.3.4.2 through 29.3.4.5, shall
be provided.
(Amd)
29.3.4.2 Initiation. The required fire alarm system shall be
initiated by each of the following:
(1) Manual means in accordance
with § 9.6.2, unless there are other effective means to activate
the fire alarm system, such as a complete automatic sprinkler or
automatic detection system, with a manual fire alarm box in
accordance with § 29.3.4.2(2) required.
(2) Manual fire alarm box
located at the hotel desk, office or other convenient central control
point under continuous supervision by responsible employees. If a
central control point is deemed impractical by the AHJ, a manual fire
alarm box located in the common means of egress shall be deemed
compliant.
(3) Required automatic
sprinkler system
(4) Required automatic
detection system other than sleeping room smoke alarms
(Amd)
29.3.4.3.3 Guest rooms and guest suites specifically required and
equipped to accommodate hearing impaired individuals shall be
provided with a visible notification appliance.
(Amd)
29.3.4.3.4 In areas subject to occupancy, other than guest rooms and
guest suites, visible notification appliances shall be provided.
(Amd)
29.3.4.3.6 Emergency forces notification shall be accomplished in
accordance with § 9.6.4.
(Res)
29.3.4.3.7
(Amd)
29.3.4.4 Detection. Where a fire alarm system is required, a fire
detection system in accordance with § 9.6.2.11 shall be
provided.
(Add) 29.3.4.4.1 A
combination rate of rise and one hundred thirty-five degree
Fahrenheit (135° F) to one hundred forty degree Fahrenheit (140°
F) fixed temperature heat detector shall be installed in every
sleeping room, other than sleeping rooms equipped with an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with §
28.3.5.3.
(Add)
29.3.4.6 Carbon Monoxide Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detection
Systems.
(Add) 29.3.4.6.1 Carbon
monoxide alarms or carbon monoxide detectors in accordance with §§
9.12 and 29.3.4.6 shall be provided in hotels and dormitories where
either of the following conditions exists:
1. Guest rooms or guest suites
with communicating attached garages, unless otherwise exempted by §
29.3.4.6.3
2. Guest rooms or guest suites
containing a permanently installed fuel-burning appliance or
fuel-burning fireplace.
(Add) 29.3.4.6.2 Where
required by § 29.3.4.6.1, carbon monoxide alarms or carbon
monoxide detectors shall be installed in the following locations:
1. Outside of each separate
guest room or guest suite sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of
the sleeping rooms
2. On every occupiable level
of a guest room and guest suite
(Add) 29.3.4.6.3 Carbon
monoxide alarms and carbon monoxide detectors as specified in §
29.3.4.6.1(1) shall not be required in the following locations:
1. In garages
2. Within guest rooms or guest
suites with communicating attached garages that are open parking
structures as defined by the Building Code
3. Within guest rooms or guest
suites with communicating attached garages that are mechanically
ventilated in accordance with the Mechanical Code
(Add) 29.3.4.6.4 Carbon
monoxide alarms or carbon monoxide detectors shall be provided in
areas other than guest rooms and guest suites in accordance with §
9.12, as modified by § 29.3.4.6.5.
(Add) 29.3.4.6.5 Carbon
monoxide alarms or carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed in
accordance with the manufacturer’s published instructions in
the locations specified as follows:
1. On the ceilings of rooms
containing permanently installed fuel-burning appliances or
fuel-burning fireplaces.
2. Centrally located within
occupiable spaces adjacent to a communicating attached garage
(Add)
29.3.4.7 Any conflict between the provisions of this section and the
provisions of amended § 9.6 of this shall be resolved in favor
of compliance with the most reasonable combined requirements as
determined by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
(Amd)
29.3.5.2.
Every
existing hotel and/or dormitory occupancy built, or converted to this
occupancy, on or after June 29, 1990, and all existing hotels and/or
dormitories of construction types III, IV and V, as outlined in NFPA
220, which have sleeping accommodations for guests or employees above
the third story, shall be protected throughout by an approved
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with § 29.3.5.3.
(Amd)
29.3.5.8 Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided in all
existing hotel occupancies in accordance with § 9.9 of this
Code.
(Amd)
29.4.1.1 High-rise buildings shall comply with §§ 29.3.5.1,
11.8.4 and 11.8.6.
(Add) 29.5.2.3
Any
furnace or boiler in the building shall be equipped with an approved
remote shutoff switch approved by the AHJ.
8.1.30 CHAPTER 30 –
NEW APARTMENT BUILDINGS
(Amd)
30.3.4.1.1 General. Every apartment building, other than those
meeting § 30.3.4.1.2, shall be provided with a fire alarm system
in accordance with amended 9.6 of this Code, except as modified by §§
30.3.4.2 through 30.3.4.5
(Amd)
30.3.4.1.2 A fire alarm system shall not be required in buildings
where each dwelling unit is completely separated from other
contiguous dwelling units by fire barriers (see § 8.3) having a
fire resistance rating of not less than one (1) hour, and where each
dwelling unit has either its own independent exit or its own
independent stairway or ramp discharging at grade. However, such
exempted buildings shall fully comply with the provisions for smoke
and carbon monoxide alarms in accordance with §§ 30.3.4.5
and 30.3.4.6.
(Amd)
30.3.4.2.1 Initiation of the required fire alarm system shall be by
all of the following means:
1. Manual means in accordance
with § 9.6.2.1(1),
2. Where automatic sprinklers
are provided, initiation of the fire alarm system by sprinkler system
waterflow.
3. An approved fire detection
system in accordance with § 9.6.2.11.
(Res) 30.3.4.2.2
(Res) 30.3.4.2.3
(Res) 30.3.4.3.3
(Res) 30.3.4.3.4
(Add)
30.3.4.3.5.1 Emergency forces notification shall not be required for
apartment occupancies containing less than twelve (12) dwelling units
between fire barriers (see § 8.3). The above fire barriers shall
have a fire resistance rating of not less than two (2) hours.
(Amd)
30.3.4.4 Detection. Where a fire alarm system is required, a fire
detection system in accordance with § 9.6.2.11 shall be
provided.
(Add)
30.3.4.7 Any conflict between the provisions of this section and the
provisions of amended § 9.6 of this shall be resolved in favor
of compliance with the most reasonable combined requirements as
determined by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
(Add)
30.3.5.13 Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided in all new
apartment occupancies in accordance with § 9.9 of this Code.
(Add) 30.3.5.13.1 As an
alternative to the location requirements for portable fire
extinguishers outlined in § 9.9 of this Code, the owner or
management of a new apartment building may provide each apartment
unit with an approved fire extinguisher installed at the direction
and to the satisfaction of the AHJ.
(Add)
30.5.2.3 Any furnace or boiler in the building shall be equipped with
an approved remote shutoff switch approved by the AHJ.
8.1.31 CHAPTER 31 –
EXISTING APARTMENT BUILDINGS
(Amd)
31.1.1.1 The requirements of this Chapter shall apply to existing
buildings or portions thereof currently occupied as apartment
occupancies. In addition, the building shall meet the requirements of
one (1) of the following options:
1. Option 1, buildings without
fire suppression or detection systems, where each dwelling unit has
independent egress and suitable separation from other contiguous
dwelling units, only when specifically permitted by §§
31.3.4.1.2 and 31.3.5.1.
2. Option 2, buildings
provided with a complete approved automatic fire detection and
notification system in accordance with § 31.3.4.4
3. Option 3, buildings
provided with approved automatic sprinkler protection in selected
areas, as described in § 31.3.5.9.
4. Option 4, buildings
protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system.
5. Option 5, buildings
previously inspected and deemed compliant with § 31.1.1.5 prior
to January 1, 2013 shall be deemed in compliance with the
requirements of this Chapter, provided the building continues to
comply with § 31.1.1.5.
(Add) 31.1.1.5 Approved
apartment buildings.
Any
existing apartment building, that was originally converted to this
occupancy from an existing one (1), two (2), or three (3) family
dwelling, shall be deemed in full compliance with the provisions of
this Chapter 31, upon meeting the following fifteen (15) requirements
on or before January 1, 2013:
1. The building maintains a
fire alarm system that complies with the provisions of §§
31.3.4 and 9.6; and
2. The building maintains an
approved system of either hardwired or lower power radio wireless
smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed in accordance with the
referenced edition of NFPA 72 and NFPA 720; and
3. The building maintains
emergency lighting approved by the AHJ; and
4. The building maintains
approved exit signage, if so required by the AHJ; and
5. The building shall have at
least two (2) means of egress of which one (1) may be a properly
maintained existing fire escape or platform and ladder system,
approved by the AHJ.
6. The walls of the internal
means of egress are made of plaster and/or sheetrock, are in good
repair, and maintain an approximate fire rating of twenty (20)
minutes as determined by the AHJ; and
7. All combustible covering
materials, within the approved egress systems, such as existing
paneling or wainscoting, mounted on approved plaster or sheetrock
walls or ceilings, shall be rendered flame resistant by the
application of an approved Class A flame-spread rated material to the
satisfaction of the AHJ; and
8. The existing dimensions of
the egress system appear to adequately support the rapid evacuation
of the building in the opinion of the AHJ.
9. The internal means of
egress may contain winding stairs approved by the AHJ.
10. Approved solid core or
steel doors, maintaining an approximate fire rating of twenty (20)
minutes, have been installed in the existing egress system door
jambs, with approved spring loaded hinges, to the satisfaction of the
AHJ; and
11. Existing fire escapes,
platform and ladder systems, maintained in good repair, may be
utilized as a second (2 nd ) means of egress, as approved by
the AHJ. The above existing fire escape systems may be accessed
through windows providing a clear opening of at least five and seven
tenths (5.7) square feet, as approved by the AHJ. All locks and
locking devices shall be permanently removed from the doors to the
rooms providing access to the fire escape system; and
12. Any furnace or boiler in
the building shall be equipped with an approved remote shutoff switch
approved by the AHJ.
13. Any furnace, boiler or
comparable central heating plant above one hundred sixty thousand
(160,000) BTU input and all floor mounted units requiring a
non-combustible floor by their listing, shall be either segregated
from the remainder of the building by a one (1) hour rated enclosure
or protected by domestically-supplied sprinkler head(s) to the
satisfaction of the AHJ.
14. Portable fire
extinguishers shall be provided in accordance with § 9.7.4.1 of
this Code. As an alternative to the location requirements for
portable fire extinguishers outlined in § 9.7.4.1 of this Code,
the owner or management of the apartment building may provide each
apartment unit with an approved fire extinguisher installed at the
direction and to the satisfaction of the AHJ.
15. Every existing apartment
building, containing more than six (6) living units between approved
fire barriers (see § 8.3) having a fire resistance rating of two
(2) hours, built or converted to this occupancy, on or after June 29,
1990 shall be provided with sprinkler coverage, at the direction and
to the satisfaction of the AHJ, in accordance with the standards
outlined in the referenced editions of NFPA 13 or NFPA 13R where
applicable.
(Amd)
31.3.4.2.1 Initiation of the required fire alarm system shall be by
all of the following means:
1. Manual means in accordance
with § 9.6.2.1(1),
2. Where automatic sprinklers
are provided, initiation of the fire alarm system by sprinkler system
waterflow.
3. An approved fire detection
system in accordance with § 9.6.2.11.
(Res) 31.3.4.2.2
(Res) 31.3.4.2.3
(Res) 31.3.4.2.4
(Res) 31.3.4.2.5
(Res) 31.3.4.3.2
(Res) 31.3.4.3.3
(Res) 31.3.4.3.4
(Add)
31.3.4.3.5.1 Emergency forces notification shall be not required for
apartment occupancies containing less than twelve (12) dwelling units
between fire barriers (see § 8.3). The above fire barriers shall
have a fire resistance rating of not less than two (2) hours.
(Amd)
31.3.4.4.1 Where a fire alarm system is required, a fire detection
system in accordance with § 9.6.2.11 shall be provided.
(Res) 31.3.4.4.2
(Amd)
31.3.4.5.1* Smoke alarms shall be installed in accordance with §
9.6.2.10 outside every sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the
bedrooms and on all levels of the dwelling unit, including basements.
(Res) 31.3.4.5.2
(Res) 31.3.4.5.3
(Res) 31.3.4.5.4
(Add) 31.3.4.6 Carbon Monoxide
Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detection Systems.
(Add) 31.3.4.6.1 Carbon
monoxide alarms or carbon monoxide detectors in accordance with §§
9.12 and 31.3.4.6 shall be provided apartment buildings where either
of the following conditions exists:
1. Dwelling units with
communicating attached garages, unless otherwise exempted by §
31.3.4.6.3
2. Dwelling units containing a
permanently installed fuel-burning appliance or a fuel-burning
fireplace.
(Add) 31.3.4.6.2 Where
required by § 31.3.4.6.1, carbon monoxide alarms or carbon
monoxide detectors shall be installed in the following locations:
1. Outside of each separate
sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the sleeping rooms
2. On every occupiable level
of a dwelling unit
(Add) 31.3.4.6.3 Carbon
monoxide alarms and carbon monoxide detectors as specified in §
31.3.4.6.1(1) shall not be required in the following locations:
1. In garages
2. Within dwelling units with
communicating attached garages that are open parking structures as
defined by the Building code
3. Within dwelling units with
communicating attached garages that are mechanically ventilated in
accordance with the mechanical code
(Add) 31.3.4.6.4 Carbon
monoxide alarms or carbon monoxide detectors shall be provided in
areas other than dwelling units in accordance with § 9.12, as
modified by § 31.3.4.6.5
(Add) 31.3.4.6.5 Carbon
monoxide alarms or carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed in
accordance with the manufacturer’s published instructions in
the locations specified as follows:
1. On the ceilings of rooms
containing permanently installed fuel-burning appliances or
fuel-burning fireplaces
2. Centrally located within
occupiable spaces adjacent to a communicating attached garage
(Add)
31.3.4.7 Any conflict between the provisions of this section and the
provisions of amended § 9.6 of this shall be resolved in favor
of compliance with the most reasonable combined requirements as
determined by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
(Amd) 31.3.5.1
Every
existing apartment building, containing more than six (6) living
units between approved fire barriers (see § 8.3) having a fire
resistance rating of not less than two (2) hours, built, or converted
to this occupancy, on or after June 29, 1990 shall be protected
throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance
with § 31.3.5.2.
(Amd)
31.3.5.9.3
The
workmanship and the materials of the sprinkler installation specified
in § 31.3.5.9 shall meet the requirements of § 9.7.
(Amd)
31.3.5.13 Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided in all
existing apartment occupancies in accordance with § 9.9 of this
Code.
(Amd) 31.3.5.13.1 As an
alternative to the location requirements for portable fire
extinguishers outlined in § 9.9 of this Code, the owner or
management of an existing apartment building may provide each
apartment unit with an approved fire extinguisher installed at the
direction and to the satisfaction of the AHJ.
(Amd)
31.4.1.1 High-rise buildings shall comply with §§ 31.2.11.1
and 31.3.5.11 and §§ 11.8.4. and 11.8.6.
8.1.32 CHAPTER 32 –
NEW RESIDENTIAL BOARD AND CARE OCCUPANCIES
(Amd)
32.2.3.4.1 General. Every residential board and care occupancy shall
be provided with a fire alarm system in accordance with amended §
9.6 of this Code.
(Add) 32.2.3.4.1.1 Initiation
of the required fire alarm system shall be by all of the following
means:
1. Manual means in accordance
with § 9.6.2.1(1),
2. Where automatic sprinklers
are provided, initiation of the fire alarm system by sprinkler system
waterflow.
3. An approved fire detection
system in accordance with § 9.6.2.11.
(Add) 32.2.3.4.1.2 Detection.
A fire detection system in accordance with § 9.6.2.11 shall be
provided.
(Add)
32.2.3.4.6 Any conflict between the provisions of this section and
the provisions of amended § 9.6 of this shall be resolved in
favor of compliance with the most reasonable combined requirements as
determined by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
(Amd)
32.2.3.5.1 All facilities shall be protected throughout by an
approved, automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with §
32.2.3.5.3 using quick response or residential sprinklers.
(Add)
32.2.5.2.4 Any furnace or boiler in the building shall be equipped
with an approved remote shutoff switch approved by the AHJ.
(Amd)
32.3.3.4.8 Detection.
(Amd) 32.3.3.4.8.1 A fire
detection system in accordance with § 9.6.2.11 shall be
provided.
(Add)
32.3.3.4.10 Any conflict between the provisions of this section and
the provisions of amended § 9.6 of this shall be resolved in
favor of compliance with the most reasonable combined requirements as
determined by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
8.1.33 CHAPTER 33 –
EXISTING RESIDENTIAL BOARD AND CARE OCCUPANCIES
(Amd)
33.2.3.4.1 General. Every residential board and care occupancy shall
be provided with a fire alarm system in accordance with amended §
9.6 of this Code.
(Amd) 33.2.3.4.1.1 Initiation
of the required fire alarm system shall be by all of the following
means:
1. Manual means in accordance
with § 9.6.2.1(1),
2. Where automatic sprinklers
are provided, initiation of the fire alarm system by sprinkler system
waterflow.
3. An approved fire detection
system in accordance with § 9.6.2.11.
(Res) 33.2.3.4.1.2
(Add)
33.2.3.4.2.1 Detection. A fire detection system in accordance with §
9.6.2.11 shall be provided.
(Add)
33.2.3.4.5 Carbon Monoxide Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detection
Systems.
(Add) 33.2.3.4.5.1 Carbon
monoxide alarms or carbon monoxide detectors in accordance with §§
9.12 and 33.2.3.4.5.2 shall be provided residential board and care
occupancies where either of the following conditions exists:
1. Living areas with
communicating attached garages, unless otherwise exempted by §
33.2.3.4.5.3
2. Living areas containing a
permanently installed fuel-burning appliance or fuel-burning
fireplaces
(Add) 33.2.3.4.5.2 Where
required by § 33.2.3.4.5.1, carbon monoxide alarms or carbon
monoxide detectors shall be installed in the following locations:
1. Outside of each separate
sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the sleeping rooms
2. On every occupiable level
of a living area
(Add) 33.2.3.4.5.3 Carbon
monoxide alarms and carbon monoxide detectors as specified in §
32.2.3.4.5.1(1) shall not be required in the following locations:
1. In garages
2. Within living areas with
communicating attached garages that are open parking structures as
defined by the Building Code
3. Within living areas with
communicating attached garages that are mechanically ventilated in
accordance with the Mechanical Code
(Add) 33.2.3.4.5.4 Carbon
monoxide alarms or carbon monoxide detectors shall be provided in
areas other than living areas in accordance with § 9.12, as
modified by § 33.2.3.4.5.5
(Add) 33.2.3.4.5.5 Carbon
monoxide alarms or carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed in
accordance with the manufacturer’s published instructions in
the locations specified as follows:
1. On the ceilings of rooms
containing permanently installed fuel-burning appliances or
fuel-burning fireplaces
2. Centrally located within
occupiable spaces adjacent to a communicating attached garage
(Add)
33.2.3.4.6 Any conflict between the provisions of this section and
the provisions of amended § 9.6 of this shall be resolved in
favor of compliance with the most reasonable combined requirements as
determined by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.
(Amd)
33.2.3.5.1 All facilities shall be protected throughout by an
approved, automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with §
33.2.3.5.3 using quick response or residential sprinklers.
(Add)
33.2.5.2.4 Any furnace or boiler in the building shall be equipped
with an approved remote shutoff switch approved by the AHJ.
(Amd)
33.3.3.4.1 General. Every residential board and care occupancy shall
be provided with a fire alarm system in accordance with amended §
9.6 of this Code.
(Amd)
33.3.3.4.2 Initiation. The required fire alarm system shall be
initiated by each of the following means:
1. Manual means in accordance
with § 9.6.2.
2. Manual fire alarm box
located at a convenient central control point under continuous
supervision of responsible employees
3. Automatic sprinkler system.
4. Required detection system,
other than sleeping room smoke alarms
(Amd)
33.3.3.4.6.1 Emergency forces notification shall be accomplished in
accordance with § 9.6.4.
(Res) 33.3.3.4.6.2
(Amd) 33.3.3.4.8 Detection.
(Amd) 33.3.3.4.8.1 A fire
detection system in accordance with § 9.6.2.11 shall be
provided.
(Add) 33.3.3.4.8.1.1 A
combination rate of rise and one hundred thirty-five degrees
Fahrenheit (135° F) to one hundred forty degrees Fahrenheit (140°
F) fixed temperature heat detector shall be installed in every
sleeping room, other than sleeping rooms equipped with an approved,
supervised automatic sprinkler system in accordance with §
32.2.3.5.3.
(Res) 33.3.3.4.8.2
(Add)
33.3.3.4.9 Carbon Monoxide Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detection
Systems.
(Add) 33.3.3.4.9.1 Carbon
monoxide alarms or carbon monoxide detectors in accordance with §§
9.12 and 33.3.3.4.9.2 shall be provided residential board and care
occupancies where either of the following conditions exists:
1. Living areas with
communicating attached garages, unless otherwise exempted by §
33.3.3.4.9.3
2. Living areas containing a
permanently installed fuel-burning appliance or fuel-burning
fireplaces
(Add) 33.3.3.4.9.2 Where
required by § 33.3.3.4.9.1, carbon monoxide alarms or carbon
monoxide detectors shall be installed in the following locations:
1. Outside of each separate
sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the sleeping rooms
2. On every occupiable level
of a living area
(Add) 33.3.3.4.9.3 Carbon
monoxide alarms and carbon monoxide detectors as specified in §
33.3.3.4.9.1(1) shall not be required in the following locations:
1. In garages
2. Within living areas with
communicating attached garages that are open parking structures as
defined by the Building Code
3. Within living areas with
communicating attached garages that are mechanically ventilated in
accordance with the Mechanical Code
(Add) 33.3.3.4.9.4 Carbon
monoxide alarms or carbon monoxide detectors shall be provided in
areas other than living areas in accordance with § 9.12, as
modified by § 33.3.3.4.9.5.
(Add) 33.3.3.4.9.5 Carbon
monoxide alarms or carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed in
accordance with the manufacturer’s published instructions in
the locations specified as follows:
1. On the ceilings of rooms
containing permanently installed fuel-burning appliances or
fuel-burning fireplaces
2. Centrally located within
occupiable spaces served by the first supply air register from a
permanently installed, fuel burning HVAC system
3. Centrally located within
occupiable spaces adjacent to a communicating attached garage
(Add)
33.3.3.5.1 All facilities shall be protected throughout by an
approved, supervised automatic sprinkler system installed in
accordance with § 9.7, as modified by §§ 33.3.3.5.1.1
and 33.3.3.5.1.2.
(Res) 33.3.3.5.1.3
(Res) 33.3.3.5.5
(Amd) 33.3.4 Special
Provisions
(Add) 33.3.4.1 High-rise
buildings shall comply with §§ 11.8.4 and 11.8.6.
8.1.34 CHAPTER 34 –
RESERVED
(No
Modifications)
8.1.35 CHAPTER 35 –
RESERVED
(No
Modifications)
8.1.36 CHAPTER 36 –
NEW MERCANTILE OCCUPANCIES
(Amd) 36.3.4.1 General
All
Class A mercantile occupancies, all Class B mercantile occupancies
occupying more than three thousand (3,000) square feet per floor for
sales purposes, and all mercantile occupancies requiring sprinkler
coverage, under this Code or the State Building Code, shall be
provided with a fire alarm system in accordance with § 9.6
(Amd) 36.3.4.2 Initiation
Initiation
of the required fire alarm system shall be by all of the following
means:
1. Manual means in accordance
with § 9.6.2.1(1),
2. Where automatic sprinklers
are provided, initiation of the fire alarm system by sprinkler system
waterflow.
3. An approved fire detection
system in accordance with § 9.6.2.11.
(Amd) 36.3.4.3.1 Occupant
Notification
The
required fire alarm system, once initiated, shall perform one of the
following functions:
1. It shall activate an alarm
in accordance with § 9.6.3 throughout the mercantile occupancy.
2. Positive alarm sequence in
accordance with § 9.6.3.4 shall be permitted.
(Amd) 36.3.4.3.2 Emergency
Forces Notification
Emergency
forces notification shall be provided for all Class A mercantile
occupancies and all Class B mercantile exceeding twelve thousand
(12,000) gross square feet and shall include notifying both of the
following:
1. Fire department in
accordance with § 9.6.4
2. Local emergency
organization, if provided
(Add) 36.3.4.4 Detection
(Add) 36.3.4.4.1 Where a fire
alarm system is required, a fire detection system in accordance with
§ 9.6.2.11 shall be provided.
(Amd)
36.3.5.2 Automatic sprinkler systems, where required by either this
Code or the Rhode Island Building Code, in either Class A or Class B
mercantile occupancies shall be supervised in accordance with §
9.7.2.
(Amd)
36.4.4.7.2 Initiation
Initiation
of the required fire alarm system shall be by all of the following
means:
1. Manual means in accordance
with § 9.6.2.1(1),
2. Where automatic sprinklers
are provided, initiation of the fire alarm system by sprinkler system
waterflow.
3. An approved fire detection
system in accordance with § 9.6.2.11.
(Amd) 36.4.4.7.3.1 Occupant
Notification
The
required fire alarm system, once initiated, shall perform one of the
following functions:
1. It shall activate a general
alarm in accordance with § 9.6.3 throughout the mall, and
positive alarm sequence in accordance with § 9.6.3.4 shall be
permitted.
2. Occupant notification shall
be made via a voice communication or public address system in
accordance with § 9.6.3.9.2.
(Add) 36.4.4.7.2.1 Detection
(Add) 36.4.4.7.2.1.1 Where a
fire alarm system is required, a fire detection system in accordance
with § 9.6.2.11 shall be provided.
(Amd) 36.4.5.4.2 Initiation
Initiation
of the required fire alarm system shall be by all of the following
means:
1. Manual means in accordance
with § 9.6.2.1(1),
2. Where automatic sprinklers
are provided, initiation of the fire alarm system by sprinkler system
waterflow.
3. An approved fire detection
system in accordance with § 9.6.2.11.
(Amd) 36.4.5.4.3 Occupant
Notification
The
required fire alarm system, once initiated, shall activate an alarm
in accordance with throughout the mercantile occupancy, and positive
alarm sequence in accordance with § 9.6.3.4 shall be permitted.
(Add) 36.4.5.4.5 Detection
(Add) 36.4.5.4.5.1 A fire
detection system in accordance with § 9.6.2.11 shall be
provided.
8.1.37 CHAPTER 37 –
EXISTING MERCANTILE OCCUPANCIES
(Amd) 37.3.4.1 General
All
Class A mercantile occupancies, all Class B mercantile occupancies
occupying more than three thousand (3,000) square feet per floor for
sales purposes, and all mercantile occupancies requiring sprinkler
coverage, under this Code or the State Building Code, shall be
provided with a fire alarm system in accordance with § 9.6.
(Amd) 37.3.4.2 Initiation
Initiation
of the required fire alarm system shall be by all of the following
means:
1. Manual means in accordance
with § 9.6.2.1(1),
2. Where automatic sprinklers
are provided, initiation of the fire alarm system by sprinkler system
waterflow.
3. An approved fire detection
system in accordance with § 9.6.2.11.
(Amd) 37.3.4.3.1 Occupant
Notification
The
required fire alarm system, once initiated, shall perform one (1) of
the following functions:
1. It shall activate an alarm
in accordance with § 9.6.3 throughout the mercantile occupancy,
and both of the following also shall apply:
a. Positive alarm sequence in
accordance with § 9.6.3.4 shall be permitted.
b. A presignal system in
accordance with § 9.6.3.3 shall be permitted.
2. Occupant notification shall
be made via voice communication or public address system in
accordance with § 9.6.3.9.2.
(Amd) 37.3.4.3.2 Emergency
Forces Notification
Emergency
forces notification shall be provided for all Class A mercantile
occupancies and all Class B mercantile exceeding twelve thousand
(12,000) gross square feet and shall include notifying both of the
following:
1. Fire department in
accordance with § 9.6.4
2. Local emergency
organization, if provided
(Add) 37.3.4.4 Detection
(Add) 37.3.4.4.1 Where a fire
alarm system is required, a fire detection system in accordance with
§ 9.6.2.11 shall be provided.
(Amd) 37.3.5.1 Extinguishing
Requirements
Mercantile
occupancies shall be protected by an approved automatic sprinkler
system in accordance with § 9.7.1.1(1) in any of the following
locations:
1. Throughout all mercantile
occupancies three (3) or more stories in height not protected by an
approved fire alarm system providing emergency forces notification.
2. Throughout all mercantile
occupancies built or converted on or after June 4, 1976 that are more
than two (2) stories in height above the basement and constructed of
Type III, IV or V construction in accordance with NFPA 220.
3. Throughout stories below
the level of exit discharge where such stories have an area exceeding
two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet (232 m 2 ) and
are used for the sale, storage, or handling of combustible goods and
merchandise.
4. Throughout multiple
occupancies protected as mixed occupancies in accordance with §
6.1.14 where the conditions of §§ 37.3.5.1(1), (2), or (3)
apply to the mercantile occupancy.
(Amd)
37.3.5.2 The provisions of § 37.3.5.1(2) shall not apply to
existing mercantile occupancies with a total gross area less than
twelve thousand (12,000) square feet (1115 m 2 ).
(Add) 37.3.5.4
Automatic
sprinkler systems, where required by either this Code or the Rhode
Island Building Code, in either Class A or Class B mercantile
occupancies, shall be supervised in accordance with § 9.7.2.
(Amd)
37.4.2 High-Rise Buildings. High-rise buildings shall comply with §§
11.8.4 and 11.8.6.
(Amd) 37.4.4.7.2 Initiation
Initiation
of the required fire alarm system shall be by all of the following
means:
1. Manual means in accordance
with § 9.6.2.1(1),
2. Where automatic sprinklers
are provided, initiation of the fire alarm system by sprinkler system
waterflow.
3. An approved fire detection
system in accordance with § 9.6.2.11.
(Amd) 37.4.4.7.3.1 Occupant
Notification
The
required fire alarm system, once initiated, shall perform one (1) of
the following functions:
1. It shall activate a general
alarm in accordance with § 9.6.3 throughout the mall, and
positive alarm sequence in accordance with 9.6.3.4 shall be
permitted.
2. Occupant notification shall
be made via a voice communication or public address system in
accordance with § 9.6.3.9.2.
(Add) 37.4.4.7.5 Detection
(Add) 37.4.4.7.5.1 A fire
detection system in accordance with § 9.6.2.11 shall be
provided.
(Amd) 37.4.5.4.2 Initiation.
Initiation
of the required fire alarm system shall be by all of the following
means:
1. Manual means in accordance
with § 9.6.2.1(1),
2. Where automatic sprinklers
are provided, initiation of the fire alarm system by sprinkler system
waterflow.
3. An approved fire detection
system in accordance with § 9.6.2.11.
(Amd) 37.4.5.4.3 Occupant
Notification
The
required fire alarm system, once initiated, shall perform one (1) of
the following functions:
1. It shall activate a general
alarm in accordance with § 9.6.3 throughout the mercantile
occupancy, and positive alarm sequence in accordance with §
9.6.3.4 shall be permitted.
2. Occupant notification shall
be made via a voice communication or public address system in
accordance with § 9.6.3.9.2.
(Add) 37.4.5.4.5 Detection
(Add) 37.4.5.4.5.1 A fire
detection system in accordance with § 9.6.2.11 shall be
provided.
8.1.38 CHAPTER 38 –
NEW BUSINESS OCCUPANCIES
(Amd) 38.3.4.1 General
A
fire alarm system in accordance with § 9.6 shall be provided in
all business occupancies where any one (1) of the following
conditions exists:
1. The occupancy is three (3)
or more stories in height.
2. The occupancy is subject to
fifty (50) or more occupants above or below the level of exit
discharge (five thousand (5,000) square feet).
3. The occupancy is subject to
three hundred (300) or more total occupants (thirty thousand (30,000)
square feet).
4. All business occupancies in
which sprinkler coverage is required by either this Code or the Rhode
Island Building Code.
(Amd)
38.3.4.2 Initiation. Initiation of the required fire alarm system
shall be by all of the following means:
1. Manual means in accordance
with § 9.6.2.1(1),
2. Where automatic sprinklers
are provided, initiation of the fire alarm system by sprinkler system
waterflow.
3. An approved fire detection
system in accordance with § 9.6.2.11.
(Amd) 38.3.4.3 Occupant
Notification
The
required fire alarm system, once initiated, shall activate a general
alarm in accordance with § 9.6.3 throughout the building, and
positive alarm sequence in accordance with § 9.6.3.4 shall be
permitted.
(Add) 38.3.4.2.1 Detection
(Add) 38.3.4.5.1 Where a fire
alarm system is required, a fire detection system in accordance with
§ 9.6.2.11 shall be provided.
(Add) 38.3.5.1
All
new business occupancies shall be protected by an approved automatic
sprinkler system in accordance with § 9.7.1.1(1) in any of the
following locations:
1. Throughout all new business
occupancies three (3) or more stories in height.
2. Throughout all new business
occupancies exceeding twelve thousand (12,000) square feet (1115 m 2 )
in area.
3. Throughout multiple
occupancies protected as mixed occupancies in accordance with §
6.1.14 where the conditions of §§ 38.3.5.1(1) or (2) apply
to the new business occupancy.
(Add) 38.3.5.2
Automatic
sprinkler systems, where required by either this Code or the Rhode
Island Building Code, in new business occupancies shall be supervised
in accordance with § 9.7.2.
8.1.39 CHAPTER 39 –
EXISTING BUSINESS OCCUPANCIES
(Amd) 39.3.4.1 General
A
fire alarm system in accordance with § 9.6 shall be provided in
all business occupancies where any one of the following conditions
exists:
1. The occupancy is three (3)
or more stories in height.
2. The occupancy is subject to
fifty (50) or more occupants above or below the level of exit
discharge (five thousand (5,000) Square feet).
3. The occupancy is subject to
three hundred (300) or more total occupants (thirty thousand (30,000)
square feet).
4. All business occupancies in
which sprinkler coverage is required by either this Code of the Rhode
Island Building Code.
(Amd)
39.3.4.2 Initiation. Initiation of the required fire alarm system
shall be by all of the following means:
1. Manual means in accordance
with § 9.6.2.1(1),
2. Where automatic sprinklers
are provided, initiation of the fire alarm system by sprinkler system
waterflow.
3. An approved fire detection
system in accordance with § 9.6.2.11.
(Amd) 39.3.4.3 Occupant
Notification
The
required fire alarm system, once initiated, shall activate a general
alarm in accordance with § 9.6.3 throughout the building, and
positive alarm sequence in accordance with § 9.6.3.4 shall be
permitted.
(Amd) 39.3.4.4 Emergency
Forces Notification
Where
a fire alarm is required by this chapter, emergency forces
notification shall be provided and shall include notifying both of
the following:
1. Fire department in
accordance with § 9.6.4
2. Local emergency
organization, if provided
(Add) 39.3.4.5 Detection
(Add) 39.3.4.5.1 Where a fire
alarm system is required, a fire detection system in accordance with
§ 9.6.2.11 shall be provided.
(Add) 39.3.5.1
All
existing business occupancies shall be protected by an approved
automatic sprinkler system in accordance with § 9.7.1.1(1) in
any of the following locations:
1. Throughout all business
occupancies built or converted on or after June 4, 1976 that are more
than two (2) stories in height above the basement and constructed of
Type III, IV or V construction in accordance with NFPA 220.
2. Throughout multiple
occupancies protected as mixed occupancies in accordance with §
6.1.14 where the conditions of § 39.3.5.1(1) apply to the
existing business occupancy.
(Add) 39.3.5.2
The
provisions of § 39.3.5.1 shall not apply to existing business
occupancies with a total gross area less than twelve thousand
(12,000) square feet (1115 m 2 ).
(Add) 39.3.5.3
Automatic
sprinkler systems, where required by either this Code or the Rhode
Island Building Code, in existing business occupancies shall be
supervised in accordance with § 9.7.2.
(Add) 39.4.2.4 All high-rise
buildings shall comply with §§ 11.8.4 and 11.8.6.
8.1.40 CHAPTER 40 –
INDUSTRIAL OCCUPANCIES
(Amd) 40.3.4.1 General
A
fire alarm system in accordance with § 9.6 shall be provided in
all industrial occupancies where any one (1) of the following
conditions exists:
1. The total gross area
exceeds ten thousand (10,000) square feet.
2. Any one (1) floor above or
below the level of exit discharge exceeds two thousand five hundred
(2,500) square feet.
3. All industrial occupancies
in which sprinkler coverage is required by either this Code of the
Rhode Island Building Code.
(Amd) 40.3.4.2 Initiation.
Initiation
of the required fire alarm system shall be by all of the following
means:
1. Manual means in accordance
with § 9.6.2.1(1),
2. Where automatic sprinklers
are provided, initiation of the fire alarm system by sprinkler system
waterflow.
3. An approved fire detection
system in accordance with § 9.6.2.11.
(Amd) 40.3.4.3.1 Occupant
Notification
The
required fire alarm system, once initiated, shall activate a general
alarm in accordance with § 9.6.3 throughout the building,
(Add) 40.3.4.3.5 Emergency
Forces Notification
In
buildings where a fire alarm is required, emergency forces
notification shall be provided in buildings greater than thirty
thousand (30,000) gross square feet in area and shall include both of
the following:
1. Fire department in
accordance with § 9.6.4
2. Local emergency
organization, if provided
(Add) 40.3.4.4 Detection
(Add) 40.3.4.4.1 Where a fire
alarm system is required, a fire detection system in accordance with
§ 9.6.2.11 shall be provided.
8.1.41 CHAPTER 41 –
RESERVED
(No
Modifications)
8.1.42 CHAPTER 42 –
STORAGE OCCUPANCIES
(Amd) 42.3.4.1.1
Low
hazard storage occupancies, and the specific non-residential farm
buildings listed below, shall not be required to have a fire alarm
system:
1. All non-residential, farm
buildings such as barns, riding rinks, horse stables and farm stands
that are not utilized as places of assembly and are not open to the
general public.
2. All non-residential farm
buildings such as barns, riding rinks and horse stables, that are
either solely owner occupied or accessed solely by the owners of
horses stabled within.
3. All non-residential farm
buildings such as barns, riding rinks, horse stables and farm stands,
without electricity and heat;
4. All greenhouses.
(Amd) 42.3.4.1.2
Storage
occupancies with ordinary or high hazard contents not exceeding an
aggregate floor area of ten thousand (10,000) square feet (930 m 2 )
shall not be required to have a fire alarm system.
(Res) 42.3.4.1.3
(Amd)
42.3.4.2 Initiation. Initiation of the required fire alarm system
shall be by all of the following means:
1. Manual means in accordance
with § 9.6.2.1(1),
2. Where automatic sprinklers
are provided, initiation of the fire alarm system by sprinkler system
waterflow.
3. An approved fire detection
system in accordance with § 9.6.2.11.
(Amd) 42.3.4.3 Occupant
Notification
The
required fire alarm system shall meet one (1) of the following
criteria:
1. It shall provide occupant
notification in accordance with § 9.6.3.
2. It shall sound an audible
and visible signal in a constantly attended location for the purposes
of initiating emergency action.
(Add) 42.3.4.4 Emergency
Forces Notification
Where
a fire alarm is required, emergency forces notification shall be
provided in buildings greater than thirty thousand (30,000) gross
square feet in area and shall include both of the following:
1. Fire department in
accordance with § 9.6.4(2)
2. Local emergency
organization, if provided
(Add) 42.3.4.5 Detection
(Add) 42.3.4.5.1 Where a fire
alarm system is required, a fire detection system in accordance with
§ 9.6.2.11 shall be provided.
8.1.43 CHAPTER 43 –
Building Rehabilitation (Reserved)
The
Fire Board hereby temporarily reserves Chapter 43 for further review
and the eventual development of an updated Rehabilitation Code with
participation from both the Rhode Island Building Commission and the
Joint Committee on the Rehabilitation Building and Fire Code for
Existing Buildings and Structures. Until the new updated
Rehabilitation Code is adopted, the Rhode Island Rehabilitation
Building and Fire Code, previously adopted by the Fire Safety Code
Board of Appeal and Review, and the Rhode Island Building Commission,
is hereby re-adopted, in full, as FIRE SAFETY CODE SECTION 9.
8.1.44 CHAPTER 44 –
HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS MIXED OCCUPANCIES
(Add) 44.1
In
any building where a fire alarm system is exempted due to the minimum
occupant load provisions or the minimum square footage provisions of
Chapters 12 through 43, a fire alarm system as prescribed in §
9.6 may be required by the State Fire Marshal where it is proven that
life safety of the occupants is compromised due to the hazard of
contents, proximity of exposures, limitations to fire department
vehicle access or other such hazardous conditions.