2014 -- H 7875 | |
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LC004939 | |
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND | |
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY | |
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014 | |
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A N A C T | |
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- COMPREHENSIVE FIRE SAFETY ACT | |
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Introduced By: Representatives Morin, Casey, Guthrie, Jacquard, and Mattiello | |
Date Introduced: March 04, 2014 | |
Referred To: House Municipal Government | |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: | |
1 | SECTION 1. Section 23-28.01-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-28.01 entitled |
2 | "Comprehensive Fire Safety Act" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
3 | 23-28.01-5. Planning and reporting. -- (a) The system of fire safety codes, compliance, |
4 | enforcement, and education, shall be regularly reviewed in order to maintain the use of best |
5 | practices throughout Rhode Island and to plan for and implement professional, comprehensive, |
6 | efficient and effective fire safety measures in the state. |
7 | (b) The fire marshal shall, in conjunction with the fire safety code board of appeal and |
8 | review, the building code commission, the department of health, the economic development |
9 | corporation, the department of elementary and secondary education, and representatives of local |
10 | fire departments, prepare and approve by February 20, 2004, a comprehensive plan setting forth |
11 | goals and implementation measures for improving fire safety in Rhode Island, which plan shall |
12 | include recommendations regarding public, fire safety education. The plan may be periodically |
13 | reviewed and amended and shall be updated at least once every five (5) years. The plan, and any |
14 | amendments and updates, shall be submitted to the governor, the speaker of the house and the |
15 | president of the senate. A copy of the plan shall be provided to the secretary of state, and the |
16 | report shall be posted on the website of the fire marshal. |
17 | (c) The fire marshal shall submit a report on or before February 1, 2005, and annually |
18 | not later than February 1 in each year thereafter, to the governor, the speaker of the house and the |
19 | president of the senate on fire safety in Rhode Island, summarizing the incidence of fires in |
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1 | Rhode Island, describing the status of fire safety efforts in Rhode Island and progress toward |
2 | meeting goals set forth in the five (5) year plan, and recommending actions for improving fire |
3 | safety. A copy of the report shall be provided to the secretary of state, and the report shall be |
4 | posted on the website of the fire marshal. |
5 | (d) In order to increase public information about fire risks in places of assembly, the fire |
6 | marshal shall make public the repeat and/or uncorrected fire safety code violations of all places of |
7 | assembly that are classified as nightclubs and provide this information on a website, effective |
8 | February 20, 2004. |
9 | SECTION 2. Section 23-28.1-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-28.1 entitled "Fire |
10 | Safety Code – General Provisions" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
11 | 23-28.1-5. Definitions. -- The terms used in NFPA 1 (Uniform Fire Code), in NFPA 101 |
12 | (Life Safety Code) and in such other national codes as are authorized for adoption by the Fire |
13 | Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review shall be given the definitions established in those codes |
14 | unless another meaning is provided for in this title and is essential to implementing the purposes |
15 | of this title, and the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review shall have authority to resolve |
16 | any conflicts among definitions in order to achieve the purposes of this title and/or provide for the |
17 | efficient administration of codes: |
18 | (1) Abatement or to abate a condition. - Abatement, or to abate a condition, is the |
19 | reduction, decrease, or diminution of a hazardous condition that presents immediate danger to |
20 | life. The term "immediate" denotes that action is or must be taken either instantly or without any |
21 | considerable loss of time. The condition may be singular or may be a set of conditions that in |
22 | combination present an immediate danger to life. Such conditions shall include improper |
23 | management or use of flammable and combustible materials, liquids and gasses, pyrotechnics, |
24 | fireworks or explosives, malfunctioning automatic sprinklers, fire alarms and emergency lighting, |
25 | malfunctioning heating and electrical systems, blocked or inadequate exits or means of egress, |
26 | and such other conditions as may be established by the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and |
27 | Review. |
28 | (2) Authority having jurisdiction. - Unless specifically defined to the contrary in this |
29 | code, the authority having jurisdiction for the enforcement of this code shall be the state fire |
30 | marshal, the deputy fire marshals, and assistant deputies. |
31 | (3) Adult Day-Care. - A building or portion thereof used for less than twenty-four (24) |
32 | hours per day to house more than three (3) adults requiring supportive care, maintenance, and |
33 | supervision by persons other than their relatives. |
34 | (4) Authority Having Jurisdiction (Enforcement). - Unless specifically defined to the |
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1 | contrary in this code, the authority having jurisdiction for the enforcement of this code shall be |
2 | the state fire marshal. The state fire marshal may delegate this enforcement authority to any |
3 | deputy state fire marshal or assistant deputy state fire marshal that he or she certifies and appoints |
4 | pursuant to § 23-28.2-1 et seq. However, as a condition of their continued certification, all such |
5 | appointed deputy state fire marshals and assistant deputy state fire marshals shall apply the code, |
6 | consistently and uniformly across the state, under the guidance of the state fire marshal. |
7 | (5) Bed and Breakfast Home. - An owner and/or innkeeper occupied building that |
8 | provides sleeping accommodations for up to sixteen (16) guests. Every "Bed and Breakfast |
9 | Home" must further have originated as a private home and must have at least three hundred |
10 | square feet (300 sq. ft.) of common space (i.e., dining room, living room, etc.) for guest use, and |
11 | must further provide breakfast. Finally, the owner and/or innkeeper must occupy the building |
12 | twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week, while guests are utilizing the facility. The |
13 | owner and/or innkeeper of the bed and breakfast home shall have a plan of action, approved by |
14 | the local official, to assure the safety of the guests in the event the owner or innkeeper is required |
15 | to temporarily leave the facility unsupervised for limited periods during the day. |
16 | (6) Certificate of Occupancy. - After the building official inspects the building or |
17 | structure and, after consultation with the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) enforcing the |
18 | provisions of this code, finds no violations of the provisions of this code or other laws that are |
19 | enforced by the department of building safety, the building official issues an official document |
20 | known as a "certificate of occupancy" that generally contains the following: |
21 | (i) The building permit number; |
22 | (ii) The address of the structure; |
23 | (iii) The name and address of the owner; |
24 | (iv) A description of that portion of the structure for which the certificate is issued; |
25 | (v) A statement that the described portion of the structure has been inspected for |
26 | compliance with the requirements of this code for the occupancy and division of occupancy, and |
27 | the use for which the proposed occupancy is classified; |
28 | (vi) The name of the building official; |
29 | (vii) The edition of the code under which the permit was issued; |
30 | (viii) The use and occupancy, in accordance with the provisions of the state building |
31 | code; |
32 | (ix) The type of construction as defined in the state building code; |
33 | (x) The design occupant load; |
34 | (xi) If an automatic sprinkler system is provided, whether the sprinkler system is |
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1 | required; |
2 | (xii) Any special stipulations and conditions of the building permit; and |
3 | (xiii) 3.4.6 Citation System. - A system of enforcement outlined in § 23-28.2-14. |
4 | (3)(7) Code. - The term "code" means this Fire Safety Code established under the |
5 | provisions of section 23-28.1-1. |
6 | (4)(8) Compliance order. - For the purposes of this Code, a compliance order is defined |
7 | as a command or direction authoritatively given to a building owner or occupant to provide |
8 | conformance with the Fire Safety Code. A compliance order takes effect when a building owner |
9 | or occupant, after proper notice, has exhausted his/her administrative appeals or has failed to avail |
10 | himself/herself of appropriate administrative appeals within a reasonable period of time after |
11 | receiving proper notice. |
12 | (9) Emergency Shelter Occupancy. - An occupancy or portion thereof used on a |
13 | temporary basis to provide sleeping accommodations for transient or displaced individuals who |
14 | have no other shelter arrangements during periods of severe weather or during the aftermath of a |
15 | natural or man-made disaster. |
16 | (5)(10) Family day care home. - The term "family day care home" means any home other |
17 | than the child's home in which child day care in lieu of parental care and/or supervision is offered |
18 | at the same time to at least four (4) but not more than eight (8) children who are not relatives of |
19 | the care giver, and which is licensed by the state department of children, youth, and families and |
20 | subject to the department's regulations. |
21 | (11) Funeral Establishment . - An assembly occupancy, as defined by § 5-33.2-1(k) as a |
22 | "fixed place, establishment or premises, licensed by the department (of health), devoted to the |
23 | activities which are incident, convenient, or related to the care and preparation, arrangement, |
24 | financial and otherwise, for the funeral, transportation, burial or other disposition of human |
25 | bodies and including, but not limited to, a suitable room with all instruments and supplies used |
26 | for the storage and/or preparation of dead human bodies for burial or other disposition." |
27 | (6)(12) Nightclub. - A place of public accommodation, which in general is characterized |
28 | by all of the following: |
29 | (i) Provides entertainment by a live band or recorded music generating above normal |
30 | sound levels. |
31 | (ii) Has as its primary source of revenue, in general, the sale of beverages of any kind for |
32 | consumption on the premises and/or cover charges. Food, if served, is considered a secondary |
33 | attraction. |
34 | (iii) Has an occupant load of one hundred fifty (150) in total or in any single area or |
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1 | room of at least 100 patrons. |
2 | Nothing in this definition shall be construed to include any place of public |
3 | accommodation or any event within a place of public accommodation, which is in its nature |
4 | distinctly private. |
5 | (13) Organized Dining Facility. - A place of public accommodation which is |
6 | characterized as a facility where private events are held and where the primary source of revenue, |
7 | in general, is derived from rental charges for use of the facility and service of food. Such a facility |
8 | shall not provide for cover charges or have as a primary attraction any event where entertainment |
9 | is provided by a live band or recorded music. Such a facility primarily provides for organized |
10 | banquets, private parties, fund raisers, wedding receptions, ceremonial events and the like. |
11 | (7)(14) "Place of worship" means a building or structure, or an area thereof, the |
12 | occupancy of which is for the religious rites and services and communal functions of a |
13 | congregation, and which shall include sanctuaries, gathering halls, meeting rooms and offices and |
14 | related facilities of the congregation, which may be located in the same, in connected, or in |
15 | proximate structures. |
16 | (15) Suspended Ceiling. - A ceiling system of a grid of channels or "T-bars" suspended |
17 | from the structure above for readily removable acoustical tiles or lay-in panels. |
18 | (16) Temporary Certificate of Occupancy. - The building official may issue a temporary |
19 | certificate of occupancy before the completion of the entire work covered by the permit, provided |
20 | that such portion or portions shall be occupied safely. The building official shall set a time period |
21 | during which the temporary certificate of occupancy is valid. |
22 | (17) Three-Family Apartment Building. - A building or portion thereof containing three |
23 | (3) dwelling units with independent cooking and bathroom facilities. This code shall provide |
24 | reasonable standards for the installation of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in three (3) |
25 | family apartment buildings. |
26 | SECTION 3. Sections 23-28.2-21 and 23-28.2-27 of the General Laws in Chapter 23- |
27 | 28.2 entitled "Division of Fire Safety" are hereby amended to read as follows: |
28 | 23-28.2-21. National Fire Code. -- Except wherever herein specifically defined or |
29 | covered in this code, the provisions of the N.F.P.A. Standards included in the National Fire Code, |
30 | 2003 2012 edition, shall be used by the authority having jurisdiction as the accepted standard with |
31 | regard to fire safety regarding any unforeseen condition. |
32 | 23-28.2-27. Inspection fees. -- (a) The state fire marshal's office shall assess an |
33 | inspection fee of one-hundred dollars ($100.00) per inspection for any inspection performed by |
34 | that office pursuant to chapter 28.1 of Title 23, or any other provisions of the state fire code, |
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1 | including any rule or regulation promulgated by either the fire safety code board of appeal and |
2 | review or the state fire marshal. The inspection fee shall be assessed for each required inspection. |
3 | Initial inspections and any required subsequent re-inspection shall constitute separate visits for |
4 | which separate inspection fees will be payable. |
5 | (b) In the case of an inspection involving residential use, the fee shall be paid by the |
6 | property owner. |
7 | (c) In the case of any inspection involving any assembly, industrial, mercantile, business |
8 | educational, health care, ambulatory health care, day care, residential board and care, storage, |
9 | apartment buildings, lodging and rooming, hotels, dormitories, detention and correction or |
10 | municipal government use, the fee shall be paid by one of the following parties: |
11 | (1) The occupant/tenant of the property if the occupant/tenant holds any license issued |
12 | by the State of Rhode Island that requires fire code compliance; or |
13 | (2) The lessee of the property if the lessee is the sole tenant; or |
14 | (3) If neither (1) nor (2) apply, the owner of the property will be responsible for payment |
15 | of the inspection fee. |
16 | (d) The fee shall be waived for a specific inspection in the event that no violation of any |
17 | provision of the state fire code including any rule or regulation is found. |
18 | (e)(d) No inspection fee shall be assessed against any municipality or municipal agency |
19 | or the State of Rhode Island, or any department, board, or commission thereof. No inspection fee |
20 | shall be assessed for any inspection conducted for the purpose of updating the compliance status |
21 | of a building in preparation for a hearing before the fire safety code board of appeal and review or |
22 | before any court. |
23 | (f)(e) All fees collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited as general revenue. |
24 | SECTION 4. Section 23-28.4-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-28.4 entitled "Safety |
25 | and Health Programs for Fire Departments" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
26 | 23-28.4-5. Implementation plan. -- Each applicable fire department in the state shall |
27 | formulate a written plan to implement the requirements of NFPA 1500 not more than one |
28 | hundred twenty days (120) after July 10, 1990 which shall be updated annually and a copy shall |
29 | be given to the director of labor and training to be kept on file, and a copy shall be given to the |
30 | bargaining agent representing employees within the fire department. A copy of each applicable |
31 | fire department's NFPA 1500 implementation plan shall be forwarded by the department of labor |
32 | and training to the NFPA 1500 Implementation Plan Review Committee, as established pursuant |
33 | to section 23-28.4-5.1, within thirty (30) days after its receipt by the department of labor and |
34 | training. The plan shall identify each specific requirement of NFPA 1500 for which the fire |
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1 | department currently complies and each specific requirement for which corrective action must be |
2 | initiated for compliance. The plan shall include a timetable for corrective action. The written plan |
3 | shall be made available for review by any fire department employee and/or employee |
4 | representative. Compliance for each specific requirement of NFPA 1500 shall be accomplished |
5 | not later than three (3) years after June 9, 1988. |
6 | SECTION 5. Sections 23-28.6-21, 23-28.6-22 and 23-28.6-24 of the General Laws in |
7 | Chapter 23-28.6 entitled "Places of Assembly" are hereby amended to read as follows: |
8 | 23-28.6-21. Sprinklers required. -- (a) All new and existing places of assembly shall be |
9 | completely protected by an approved system of automatic sprinklers installed and maintained in |
10 | accordance with N.F.P.A. Standard 13, 2002 2011 Edition and its related standards pursuant to |
11 | the schedule outlined in subsection (d) of this section. |
12 | (b) The requirements of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to: |
13 | (1) Any place of assembly with an occupancy load of fifty (50) to three hundred (300) |
14 | people of less concentrated use, exclusively calculated at fifteen (15) square feet per person; |
15 | (2) Any place of assembly with an occupancy load of fifty (50) to three hundred (300) |
16 | people of concentrated use not classified as a "nightclub"; |
17 | (3) Any place of assembly with an occupancy load of fifty (50) to three hundred (300) |
18 | people of concentrated use, classified as a "nightclub" with a posted maximum occupancy of less |
19 | than one hundred fifty (150) people; |
20 | (4) Any existing building used primarily as a place of worship that is in compliance with |
21 | the requirements for places of worship established pursuant to section 23-28.6-24; |
22 | (5) The open assembly areas in existing unheated buildings used on a seasonal basis |
23 | provided the building is protected by a properly maintained total (complete) fire alarm system |
24 | during all periods of occupancy; and |
25 | (6) Student occupied assembly areas, such as auditorium(s), library(s), cafeteria(s) and |
26 | gymnasium(s), within any existing building, classified as either an educational occupancy, or an |
27 | institution of higher education such as a community college, a college and/or university, that is |
28 | protected by a properly maintained total (complete) fire alarm system. In the event the owner or |
29 | management of such a building plans to use one or more of the above assembly areas, in a |
30 | manner inconsistent with the traditional educational use, for example a community meeting, a |
31 | dance or a play, the owner or responsible management must first consult with the state fire |
32 | marshal's designee, in the local fire department, and develop a plan of action for such use. The |
33 | proposed event shall only be conducted pursuant to the above plan of action. This exception shall |
34 | not apply to any such existing higher education assembly area(s) used generally for commercial |
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1 | purposes such as an arena, restaurant, bar or lounge. |
2 | (c) Alternatively engineered sprinkler systems, approved by the Fire Safety Code Board |
3 | of Appeal and Review, shall be allowed in the retrofitting of an existing place of assembly with |
4 | sprinklers. |
5 | (d) All places of assembly with a maximum occupancy of more than three hundred (300) |
6 | people shall be fully sprinkled in accordance with the above standards on or before July 1, 2005. |
7 | All "nightclubs" with a posted maximum occupancy of one hundred fifty (150) or more people, |
8 | and up to three hundred (300) people shall be fully sprinkled in accordance with the above |
9 | standards on or before July 1, 2006. For good cause shown, the above deadlines may be extended |
10 | by the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal & Review. |
11 | (e) The occupancy of any place of assembly without a fire alarm system and/or sprinkler |
12 | system after July 1, 2004, shall have its maximum occupancy adjusted by minus ten percent |
13 | (10%) for the absence of a fire alarm system and minus twenty percent (20%) for the absence for |
14 | of the sprinklers, when fire alarm systems and/or sprinklers are required by law or regulation. |
15 | Such downward adjustment in occupancy shall be cumulative and shall cease to apply when the |
16 | premises are in compliance with requirements for fire alarms systems and sprinklers, and shall |
17 | not affect any other requirements of the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review applicable |
18 | to the premises. The ten percent (10%) and twenty percent (20%) reductions in maximum |
19 | occupancy, herein set forth, may be waived, in writing, by the state fire marshal, assistant state |
20 | fire marshal, deputy state fire marshals, the local fire chief of the jurisdiction in which the place |
21 | of assembly is located, or an assistant deputy state fire marshal as designated by the local fire |
22 | chief. Provided, however, that the owner or management responsible for the operation of the |
23 | facility shall be required to operate said facility under an alternative plan of action for fire safety, |
24 | which plan shall require the approval of the state fire marshal, the assistant state fire marshal, |
25 | deputy state fire marshals, the local fire chief of the jurisdiction in which the place of assembly is |
26 | located, or an assistant deputy state fire marshal as designated by the local fire chief, in order to |
27 | qualify for the waiver provided for herein. |
28 | (f) A place of assembly with an occupancy of one hundred fifty (150) or greater and up |
29 | to three hundred (300) may avoid the above occupancy adjustment by requiring a fire fighter to |
30 | be on duty during all hours of occupancy. In no event shall the occupancy adjustment to the |
31 | firefighter requirement alter the July 1, 2006 deadline for the installation of sprinklers. |
32 | (g) All places of assembly with an occupancy of less than one hundred fifty (150) shall |
33 | use fire retardant paints or other coverings, to a standard acceptable to the Fire Safety Code Board |
34 | of Appeal and Review, unless the building has sprinklers by July 1, 2006. |
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1 | (h) The provisions of this section, in its entirety, shall not apply to places of worship |
2 | except as may be required by the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review pursuant to |
3 | section 23-28.6-24. |
4 | 23-28.6-22. Nightclubs. -- Every special amusement building concentrated occupancy |
5 | place of assembly nightclub as defined in section 23-28.1-5 shall comply with the following |
6 | requirements, consistent with requirements related thereto established by the Fire Safety Code |
7 | Board of Appeal and Review and the state fire marshal. All such buildings shall: |
8 | (1) Have fire alarms that are municipally connected for occupancies of one hundred fifty |
9 | (150) or greater and for all Class A and B places of assembly by July 1, 2004. These fire alarm |
10 | systems shall be tested no less than quarterly. |
11 | (2) Have sprinklers in Class C places of assembly of one hundred fifty (150) or greater |
12 | with an occupancy load of one hundred fifty (150) up to three hundred (300) people by July 1, |
13 | 2006 and in Class A and B places of assembly with an occupancy load of greater than three |
14 | hundred (300) people by July 1, 2005; provided, however, that this requirement shall not apply to |
15 | fully alarmed buildings used exclusively as places of worship. |
16 | (3) Have alarm systems sound and upon the actuation of any smoke detector or fire |
17 | alarm, have emergency lighting or other appropriate lighting activate, and require that any |
18 | conflicting sounds or visuals cease, by February 20, 2004. |
19 | (4) Have two (2) fire extinguishers, which shall be at least twenty (20) pounds or such |
20 | other size as may be established as appropriate by the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and |
21 | Review, in each stage area, by February 20, 2004. |
22 | (5) Have floor proximity exit signs for all occupancies greater than one hundred fifty |
23 | (150) by February 20, 2005. |
24 | (6) Provide an audible announcement of the location of emergency exits prior to each act |
25 | or set. |
26 | (7) Have an emergency plan for the premises, approved by a fire marshal and consistent |
27 | with rules established by the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal a person on duty or a crowd |
28 | manager on duty, who has been trained by the fire marshal with regard to the emergency plan and |
29 | basic crowd management techniques by October 1, 2004. This requirement shall be in addition to |
30 | the requirement for a detail fire fighter. |
31 | 23-28.6-24. Places of worship. -- (a) The Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review |
32 | shall establish and maintain a subcategory of assembly occupancies for places of worship and |
33 | shall, consistent with the provisions of this section, specify code requirements applicable to the |
34 | subcategory. Every place of worship as defined in section 23-28.1-5 shall comply with the |
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1 | requirements for places of worship by the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review and |
2 | administered by the state fire marshal. In establishing and maintaining this subcategory, the board |
3 | shall give due consideration to the historic level of use as well as to occupant load and shall |
4 | provide for separate calculation of occupant loads for sanctuaries and gathering halls and for |
5 | distinct requirements for the different areas of the place of worship. |
6 | (b) Newly constructed places of worship shall comply with the applicable requirements |
7 | for new occupancies. |
8 | (c) Existing places of worship shall comply with requirements established by the Fire |
9 | Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review, pursuant to this subsection. |
10 | (1) The Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review shall adopt reasonable |
11 | requirements for fire safety in existing places of worship by July 1, 2007, which standards shall |
12 | allow for the continued occupancy and use of the place of worship without undue hardship, with |
13 | due consideration for the historic use and operation of the place of worship, unless such continued |
14 | use and occupancy would constitute a serious threat to life. Such requirements shall provide that |
15 | the place of worship shall have: |
16 | (i) Adequate egress, including exits, exit signs, and emergency lighting; |
17 | (ii) Adequate systems for discovery of fire and smoke and for altering occupants |
18 | promptly and effectively; and |
19 | (iii) Adequate fire extinguishers. |
20 | (2) Existing places of worship shall not be subject to requirements for places of assembly |
21 | to install sprinklers in the sanctuary or in other areas unless the state fire marshal, or official in |
22 | the office of the state fire marshal designated by the state fire marshal in the capacity of the |
23 | authority having jurisdiction, shall determine: (i) that in the absence of sprinklers, there would be |
24 | a serious threat to life as a result of conditions specific to those areas in the place of worship; or |
25 | (ii) that the kitchen of the place of worship is used for cooking food for more than two (2) hours |
26 | per week as an annual average, in which case a requirement may be imposed for automatic fire |
27 | suppression system in the kitchen. The code requirements applicable to the place of worship shall |
28 | be deemed satisfactory purposes of the use of the place of worship or areas thereof by community |
29 | members and groups and nonprofit organizations; provided, however, that the use of the place of |
30 | worship or a portion thereof for an occupancy for a commercial purpose or for the regular |
31 | conduct of an activity or function that requires licensure by the state may be subject to code |
32 | requirements for that occupancy. |
33 | (d) The Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review shall establish a timetable for |
34 | existing places of worship to comply with the requirements adopted pursuant to subsection (c) of |
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1 | this section, which compliance timetable shall commence not sooner than January 1, 2008 and |
2 | may extend beyond July 1, 2008. |
3 | (e)(d) The Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review and the state fire marshal shall |
4 | in establishing, interpreting, administering and enforcing code requirements pertaining to this |
5 | subcategory satisfy reasonable requirements for life safety in a manner that does not cause |
6 | disproportionate effort or expense and that allows for continued occupancy as places of worship |
7 | in buildings and structures where worship is a historic use, provided that any condition that |
8 | represents a serious threat to life is mitigated by application of appropriate safeguards, and in so |
9 | doing, shall give due consideration in applying the provisions of this paragraph to occupancies |
10 | that normally are used by gatherings of less than fifty (50) persons. |
11 | SECTION 6. Sections 23-28.19-1 and 23-28.19-11 of the General Laws in Chapter 23- |
12 | 28.19 entitled "Tents-Grandstands-Air-Supported Structures" are hereby amended to read as |
13 | follows: |
14 | 23-28.19-1. Tents for which license required -- Application and issuance. -- No tent |
15 | exceeding one hundred twenty square feet (120 sq. ft.) three hundred fifty square feet (350 sq. ft.) |
16 | in area shall be erected, maintained, operated, or used in any city or town in this state except |
17 | under a license from the licensing authorities of the city or town. The license shall not be issued |
18 | for a period exceeding thirty (30) days and shall be revocable for cause. Application shall be |
19 | made on proper form and, when deemed necessary by the licensing authorities, shall include |
20 | plans drawn to scale, showing exits, aisles, and seating arrangements and details of the structural |
21 | support of tent, seats, and platforms, etc. No license shall be issued until the provisions of this |
22 | chapter have been complied with, and approval has been obtained from the building department, |
23 | the police department, the fire department, and, when tents are to be used for two hundred (200) |
24 | fifty (50) or more persons, from each and every department having jurisdiction over places of |
25 | assembly. |
26 | 23-28.19-11. Smoking regulations. -- Signs prohibiting smoking shall be prominently |
27 | displayed at all entrances and at other locations within any tent used as a place of assembly, so |
28 | that they may be clearly visible to all occupants. Frequent announcements regarding the |
29 | prohibition shall be made, preferably over a public address system if available. Suitable non- |
30 | combustible containers shall be provided at all entrances for the proper disposition of cigar or |
31 | cigarette butts and pipe dottle, and a uniformed an attendant shall be stationed at the locations to |
32 | advise patrons of the no smoking regulations. |
33 | SECTION 7. Section 23-28.25-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-28.25 entitled "Fire |
34 | Alarm Systems" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
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1 | 23-28.25-1. Applicability. -- All buildings and facilities covered under the Fire Safety |
2 | Code and all codes adopted pursuant to the Fire Safety Code, shall be equipped with an approved |
3 | fire alarm system installed and maintained in accordance with this chapter and any updated fire |
4 | alarm regulations adopted by the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal & Review. Any building that |
5 | is not a place of assembly, that is required to be equipped with a fire alarm system pursuant to the |
6 | Rhode Island Fire Safety Code, shall be so equipped on or before July 1, 2005. |
7 | SECTION 8. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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EXPLANATION | |
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL | |
OF | |
A N A C T | |
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- COMPREHENSIVE FIRE SAFETY ACT | |
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1 | This act would bring various sections relative to fire safety up-to-date relative to the |
2 | National Fire Prevention Act standards. |
3 | This act would take effect upon passage. |
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