December 26, 2003—It has been nearly a year since the fatal night club fire in West Warwick, Rhode Island which killed 100 people, and in response, the Rhode Island Fire Safety Board has initially approved the strictest state fire code in the nation. The Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal unanimously approved regulations that will put into effect the historic new fire-safety laws enacted by the General Assembly in last years session.
One significant act of this new law is it wipes out the grandfather clause that exempts many buildings in Rhode Island from the modern fire-code requirements that new buildings must meet.
With this clause gone, enforcement will be much more uniform and building owners will have to make the necessary changes to existing buildings.
Some key points in the new code are:
- For places of assembly with occupancies of 150 or more, the code requires fire alarms connected to municipal emergency-response agencies, as well as sprinklers.
- Places with less occupancy may have walls treated with fire retardant paint and omit sprinkler installation.
- Fire Marshals will have entry rights similar to other state and local inspectors. Fire inspectors will also have the right to order immediate repairs of dangerous conditions and the authority to write tickets.
Building owners will be allowed to seek expedited hearings to speed up reviews if requested. The final vote by the board will take place in January, and is expected to be forwarded to the Secretary of States Office by February 1, 2004.
—From BOMA.orgs Currents
