Title 39
Public Utilities and Carriers

Chapter 27.1
Appliance and Equipment Energy and Water Efficiency Standards Act of 2021

§ 39-27.1-2. Definitions.

(a) For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions apply:

(1) “Commercial dishwasher” means a machine designed to clean and sanitize plates, pots, pans, glasses, cups, bowls, utensils, and trays by applying sprays of detergent solution (with or without blasting media granules) and a sanitizing rinse.

(2) “Commercial fryer” means an appliance, including a cooking vessel, in which oil is placed to such a depth that the cooking food is essentially supported by displacement of the cooking fluid rather than by the bottom of the vessel. Heat is delivered to the cooking fluid by means of an immersed electric element of band-wrapped vessel (electric fryers) or by heat transfer from gas burners through either the walls of the fryer or through tubes passing through the cooking fluid (gas fryers).

(3) “Commercial hot-food holding cabinet” means a heated, fully enclosed compartment with one or more solid or transparent doors designed to maintain the temperature of hot food that has been cooked using a separate appliance. “Commercial hot-food holding cabinet” does not include heated glass merchandizing cabinets, drawer warmers, or cook-and-hold appliances.

(4) “Commercial oven” means a chamber designed for heating, roasting, or baking food by conduction, convection, radiation, and/or electromagnetic energy.

(5) “Commercial steam cooker,” also known as “compartment steamer,” means a device with one or more food-steaming compartments in which the energy in the steam is transferred to the food by direct contact. Models may include countertop models, wall-mounted models, and floor models mounted on a stand, pedestal, or cabinet-style base.

(6) “Commissioner” means the commissioner of energy resources at the Rhode Island office of energy resources, appointed pursuant to § 42-140-4.

(7) “Compensation” means money or any other valuable thing, regardless of form, received or to be received by a person for services rendered.

(8) “Electric vehicle supply equipment” means the conductors, including the ungrounded, grounded, and equipment grounding conductors, the electric vehicle connectors, attachment plugs, and all other fittings, devices, power outlets, or apparatuses installed specifically for the purpose of delivering energy from the premises wiring to the electric vehicle. Excludes conductors, connectors, and fittings that are part of a vehicle.

(9) The following definitions refer to “faucets”:

(i) “Faucet” means a private lavatory faucet, residential kitchen faucet, metering faucet, public lavatory faucet, or replacement aerator for a private lavatory, public lavatory, or residential kitchen faucet;

(ii) “Public lavatory faucet” means a fitting designed to be installed in nonresidential bathrooms that are exposed to walk-in traffic;

(iii) “Metering faucet” means a fitting that, when turned on, will gradually shut itself off over a period of several seconds; and

(iv) “Replacement aerator” means an aerator sold as a replacement, separate from the faucet to which it is intended to be attached.

(10) The following definitions refer to “gas fireplaces”:

(i) “Decorative gas fireplace” means a vented fireplace, including appliances that are freestanding, recessed, zero clearance, or a gas fireplace insert, that is fueled by natural gas or propane, is marked for decorative use only, and is not equipped with a thermostat or intended for use as a heater;

(ii) “Gas fireplace” means a decorative gas fireplace or a heating gas fireplace; and

(iii) “Heating gas fireplace” means a vented fireplace, including appliances that are freestanding, recessed, zero clearance, or a gas fireplace insert, that is fueled by natural gas or propane and is not a decorative fireplace.

(11) “Portable electric spa” means a factory-built electric spa or hot tub that may or may not include any combination of integral controls, water heating, or water circulating equipment.

(12) “Residential ventilating fan” means a ceiling or wall-mounted fan, or remotely mounted in-line fan, designed to be used in a bathroom or utility room for the purpose of moving air from inside the building to the outdoors.

(13) The following definitions refer to “showerheads”:

(i) “Showerhead” means an accessory to a supply fitting for spraying water onto a bather, typically from an overhead position and includes a hand-held showerhead, but does not include a safety showerhead; and

(ii) “Hand-held showerhead” means a showerhead that can be held or fixed in place for the purpose of spraying water onto a bather and that is connected to a flexible hose.

(14) The following definitions refer to “spray sprinkler bodies”:

(i) “Pressure regulator” means a device that maintains constant operating pressure immediately downstream from the device, given higher pressure upstream; and

(ii) “Spray sprinkler body” means the exterior case or shell of a sprinkler incorporating a means of connection to the piping system designed to convey water to a nozzle or orifice.

(15) The following definitions refer to “urinals” and “water closets”:

(i) “Dual-flush effective flush volume” means the average flush volume of two (2) reduced flushes and one full flush;

(ii) “Dual-flush water closet” means a water closet incorporating a feature that allows the user to flush the water closet with either a reduced or a full volume of water;

(iii) “Plumbing fixture” means an exchangeable device that connects to a plumbing system to deliver and drain away water and waste;

(iv) “Trough-type urinal” means a urinal designed for simultaneous use by two (2) or more persons;

(v) “Urinal” means a plumbing fixture that receives only liquid body waste and conveys the waste through a trap into a drainage system; and

(vi) “Water closet” means a plumbing fixture having a water-containing receptor that receives liquid and solid body waste through an exposed integral trap into a drainage system.

(16) The following definitions refer to “water coolers”:

(i) “Cold only units” dispense cold water only;

(ii) “Cook and cold units” dispense both cold and room-temperature water;

(iii) “Hot and cold units” dispense both hot and cold water. Provided further that certain units also offer room-temperature water;

(iv) “On demand” means the water cooler heats water as it is requested, which typically takes a few minutes to deliver;

(v) “Storage-type” means thermally conditioned water is stored in a tank in the water cooler and is available instantaneously. Point-of-use, dry storage compartment, and bottled water coolers are included in this category; and

(vi) “Water cooler” means a freestanding device that consumes energy to cool and/or heat potable water.