510 R.I. Code R. 510-RICR-00-00-2.5

Current through December 3, 2024

Section 510-RICR-00-00-2.5 - Chapter 2

Chapter 3

R301.2 Delete and substitute the following:

R301.2 Climatic and geographic designs criteria.

Buildings shall be constructed in accordance with the provisions of this code. Additional criteria are established and set forth in Table R301.2(1)

Table R301.2(1) Delete and substitute the following:

Table R301.2(1)
Ground Snow Load			Wind			Topographic Effects		Seismic Design Criteria
30psf ^{1, 2}			See figure R301.2(4)			No		None⁴

Weathering		Frost line depth^{2, 3}				Termite	Decay
Severe		40"				Moderate to Heavy	Slight to Moderate

Winter design Temp	Ice Shield Underlayment Required			Flood Hazards	Air Freezing Index			Mean Temperature Annual
0 degrees F in Prov. County 5 degrees All Other	Yes			Yes (See Community FIRMS)	1,200-degree Days B.F.			50 degrees F

NOTES:

1. Roof live load and roof snow load are not additive

2. New Shoreham frost depth is thirty inches (30") and Ground Snow Load is twenty-five (25) psf.

3. Requirements for frost depth footings for accessory attached and detached structures are as follows:

a. Structures and detached accessory buildings of zero (0) to one hundred ninety-nine (199) square feet do not require any frost depth foundations or footings. Two (2) ground screw anchors or other means approved by the building official shall be provided to resist overturning.

b. Accessory attached structures such as decks, platforms or landings shall have footings extending to three feet and four inches (3'4") below grade.

Exterior stairs and steps off decks, balconies and platforms greater than thirty inches (30") above grade shall have stringer supports extending to twelve inches (12") below grade and shall be supported and secured to prevent lateral displacement or vertical collapse due to grade changes.

4. Seismic design criteria are not required for buildings and structures regulated by this code.

R301.2.1 Delete and substitute the following:

R301.2.1 Wind limitations.

Buildings and portions thereof shall be limited by wind speed, as defined in Table R301.2(1), and construction methods in accordance with this code. Basic wind speeds shall be determined from Table R301.2(1) and Figure R301.2(4) A amp; B. Where different construction methods and structural materials are used for various portions of a building, the applicable requirements of this sections for each portion shall apply.

Where loads for windows, skylights and exterior doors are not otherwise specified, the loads listed in Table R301.2(2) adjusted for height and exposure per Table R301.2(3), shall be used to determine design load performance requirements for windows and doors.

Exception: All accessory structures less than 200 square feet in area.

R301.2.1.1 Delete and substitute the following:

R301.2.1.1 Design criteria.

Construction in regions where the ultimate wind speeds from Figure 301.2(4)(A) equal or exceed one hundred ten (110) miles per hour (177.1 km/h) shall be designed in accordance with one (1) of the following:

1. American Forest and Paper Association (AFamp;PA) Wood Frame Construction Manual for One (1) and Two (2) Family Dwellings (WFCM); or

2. Southern Building Code Congress International Standard for Hurricane Resistant Residential Construction (SSTD 10); or

3. International Code Council (ICC) Standard for Residential Construction in High Wind Regions (ICC-600); or

4. Hurricane Resistant Residential Construction (SSTD 10); or Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures (ASCE-7);

5. Cold-formed steel construction shall be designed in accordance with the provisions of this code.

6. Concrete construction shall be designed in accordance with the provisions of this code.

7. Structural insulated panel (SIP) walls shall be designed in accordance with the provisions of this code.

8. For all communities located in the one hundred ten (110) MPH and one hundred twenty (120) MPH wind zones, the prescriptive criteria in Appendix AA may be used for buildings and structures in lieu of 1-3 above:

Exceptions to item 8:

1. Buildings and structures of any size in one hundred ten (110) MPH or one hundred twenty (120) MPH wind zones located in a V zone as determined by community FIRMS.

2. Two (2) or more story buildings and structures of any size located in one hundred twenty (120) MPH wind zone with more than twenty percent (20%) exterior fenestration.

3. Two (2) or more story structures with a building height greater than thirty-three feet (33') as measured from Grade Plane to the average height of the highest roof surface.

4. Any two (2) or more-story structure or building with opening fenestration greater than forty percent (40%) on any one (1) wall.

R301.2.1.2 Delete section R301.2.1.2 and substitute the following:

R301.2.1.2 Protection of openings.

Windows in buildings located in Wind Zone 3 shall have glazed openings protected from windborne debris or the building shall be designed as a partially enclosed building in accordance with the International Building Code. Glazed opening protection for windborne debris shall meet the requirements of the Large Missile Test of ASTM E 1996 and of ASTM E 1886 referenced therein.

Exception:

Wood structural panels with a minimum of thickness of seven sixteenths of one inch (7/16") (11.1 mm) and a maximum span of eight feet (8') (2438 mm) shall be permitted for opening protection in one (1) and two (2) story buildings. Panels shall be precut to cover the glazed openings with attachment hardware provided. Attachments shall be provided in accordance with Table R301.2.1.2 or shall be designed to resist the components and cladding loads determined in accordance with the provisions of the International Building Code. And shutter systems approved by Building Code Standards Committee.

Delete without substitution sections R301.2.1.5 thru R301.2.2.4.

Delete and substitute the following:

R302.1 Exterior walls. Construction, projections, openings and penetrations of exterior walls of dwellings and accessory buildings shall comply with Table R302.1(1); or dwellings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in guidance with Appendix RP2904 shall comply with Table R302.1(2).

Delete section R302.2 exceptions.

Add the following section R302.2 exception and substitute the following:

Exception: A common two (2) hour fire-resistance-rated wall assembly tested in accordance with ASTME 119 or UL 263 is permitted for townhouses if such walls do not contain plumbing or mechanical equipment, ducts or vents in the cavity of the common wall. The wall shall be rated for fire exposure from both sides and shall extend to and be tight against exterior walls and the underside of the roof sheathing. Electrical installations shall be installed in accordance with Rhode Island Electrical Code SBC-5-2021 (Part 5 of this Subchapter). Penetrations of electrical outlet boxes shall be in accordance with section R302.4.

Delete section 302.5.1 and substitute the following:

R302.5.1 Opening protection. Openings from a private garage directly into a room used for sleeping purposes shall not be permitted. Other openings between the garage and residence shall be equipped with solid wood doors not less than one and three eighths inches (1 3/8") (35 mm) in thickness, solid or honeycombed-core steel doors not less than one and three eighths inches (1 3/8") (35 mm) thick, or twenty (20) minute fire-rated doors

Add the following Exception 1 to section R303.1 Habitable rooms.

Exceptions:

The glazed areas need not be openable where the opening is not required by section R310 and an approved mechanical ventilation system capable of producing 0.35 air change per hour in the room is installed or a wholehouse mechanical ventilation system is installed capable of supplying outdoor ventilation air of fifteen (15) cubic feet per minute (cfm) (78 L/s) per occupant computed on the basis of two (2) occupants for the first (1^st) bedroom and one (1) occupant for each additional bedroom.

Delete without substitution section R303.4 Mechanical ventilation.

Delete without substitution section R303.5.2.

303.7 Delete section R303.7 and substitute the following:

303.7 Stairway illumination.

All interior and exterior stairways shall be provided with a means to illuminate the stairs, including the landings and treads. Interior stairways shall be provided with an artificial light source located in the immediate vicinity of each landing of the stairway. Exterior stairways shall be provided with an artificial light source located in the immediate vicinity of the top landing of the stairway. Exterior stairways providing access to a basement from the outside grade level shall be provided with an artificial light source located in the immediate vicinity of the bottom landing of the stairway.

Exception:

An artificial light source is not required at the top and bottom landing, provided an artificial light source is located directly over each stairway section.

Remove without substitution section R309.5.

R310.1 Delete R310.1 and substitute the following:

R310.1 Emergency escape and rescue required.

Basements with habitable space and every sleeping room shall have at least one (1) openable emergency escape and rescue window or exterior door opening for emergency escape and rescue.

Where basements contain one or more sleeping rooms, emergency egress and rescue openings shall be required in each sleeping room but shall not be required in adjoining areas of the basement.

Where openings are provided as a means of escape and rescue they shall have a sill height of not more than forty-four inches (44") (1118 mm) above the floor.

Where a door opening having a threshold below the adjacent ground elevation serves as an emergency escape and rescue opening and is provided with a bulkhead enclosure, the bulkhead enclosure shall comply with Section R310.3.

The net clear opening dimensions required by this section shall be obtained by the normal operation of the window or door opening from the inside.

Escape and rescue window openings with a finished sill height below the adjacent ground elevation shall be provided with a window well in accordance with Section R310.2.

Exception: Basements with habitable space not used for bedrooms shall not require an emergency escape under any one of the following two conditions:

1. Residential sprinkler systems conforming to NFPA 13D or RP 2904 latest edition shall be installed throughout all areas of the basement or cellar, or

2. Fuel-fired equipment shall be separated from the habitable room and means of egress with one (1) hour rated construction and twenty (20) minute rated opening protectives.

R310.7 Add the following new section R310.7:

R310.7 Basement or Cellar Windows:

Except as may be otherwise provided for habitable or occupiable rooms, at least two (2) operable windows twelve inches (12") by thirty-two inches (32") nominal size shall be installed reasonably remote from each other. Security devices shall not unreasonably impede the use of these windows for light, ventilation or firefighting purposes.

Delete section R311.3.1 exception: and substitute the following:

R311.3.1 Floor elevations at the required egress doors.

Landings of finished floors at the required egress door shall be not more than one and one half inches (1 1/2") (38 mm) lower than the top of the threshold.

Exception

The landing or floor of the exterior side shall be not more than eight and one quarter inches (8 1/4") (209.55 mm) below the top of the threshold provided that the door does not swing over the landing or floor. Where exterior landings of floors serving the required egress door are not at grade, they shall be provided with access to grade by means of a ramp in accordance with Section R311.8 or a stairway in accordance with Section R#11.7

Delete IRC R311.3.2 and substitute the following:

R311.3.2 Floor elevations at other exterior doors

Doors other that the required egress door shall be provided with landings or floors no more than eight and one quarter inches (8 1/4") (209.55 mm) below the top of the threshold.

Exception

A top landing is not required where a stairway of not more than two (2) risers is located on the exterior side of the door, provided that the door does not swing over the stairway.

Delete IRC section R311.6 and substitute the following:

R311.6 Hallways.

The minimum width of a hallway shall be not less than three feet (3'). Baseboard, casings and other trim shall not reduce the required width to less than thirty-four and one half inches (34 1/2").

Delete IRC sections R311.7.5.1 and R311.7.5.2 and substitute the following:

R311.7.5.1 Riser height.

The maximum riser height shall be eight and one quarter inches (8 1/4") (210 mm).

The riser shall be measured vertically between leading edges of the adjacent treads.

The greatest riser height within any flight of stairs shall not exceed the smallest by more than three eighths of one inch (3/8") (9.5 mm).

R311.7.5.2 Tread depth.

The minimum tread depth shall be nine inches (9") (229 mm).

The tread depth shall be measured horizontally between the vertical planes of the foremost projection of adjacent treads and at a right angle to the tread's leading edge.

The greatest tread depth within any flight of stairs shall not exceed the smallest by more than three eighths of one inch (3/8") (9.5 mm).

Winder treads shall have a minimum tread depth of nine inches (9") (229 mm) measured as above at a point twelve inches (12") (305 mm) from the side where the treads are narrower.

Winder treads shall have a minimum tread depth of six inches (6") (152 mm) at any point. Within any flight of stairs, the greatest winder tread depth at the twelve inches (12") (305 mm) walk line shall not exceed the smallest by more than three eighths of one inch (3/8") (9.5 mm).

Delete IRC section R311.7.5.3 and replace with the following:

311.7.5.3. Profile.

The radius of curvature at the leading edge of the tread shall be no greater than nine sixteenths of one inch (9/16") (14.3 mm). A nosing not less than three quarters of one inch (3/4") (19.1 mm) but not more than one and one quarter inches (1 1/4") (32 mm) shall be provided on stairways with solid risers. The greatest nosing projection shall not exceed the smallest nosing projection by more than three eighths of one inch (3/8") (9.5 mm) between two (2) stories, including the nosing at the level of floors and landings. Beveling of nosing shall not exceed one half of one inch (1/2") (12.7 mm). Risers shall be vertical or sloped from the underside of the leading edge of the tread above at an angle not more than thirty (30) degrees from the vertical.

Open risers are permitted.

Exception: A nosing is not required where the tread depth is a minimum of eleven inches (11") (279 mm).

R311 Add the following new section:

R311.7.10.3 Attic and other Pull-Down Types of Stairs

Pull-down types of stairs shall not be required to meet the provisions of sections R311.7.5.1, R311.7.5.2 and R312.

Delete IRC R311.8.1 and replace with the following:

R311.8.1 Maximum Slope

Ramps shall have a maximum slope of one (1) unit vertical in eight (8) units horizontal (twelve and one half percent (12.5%) slope).

R312 Add new section as follows:

R312.3 Seat or Bench Elements.

Guardrails which incorporate seat or bench elements shall have a guardrail system complying with section R312.3 to a height of thirty-six inches (36") measured from the seat surface. The guardrail system shall also extend to the floor surface below the bench or seat element.

Exception:

1. Porches, balconies or raised floors thirty inches (30") or less above the floor or grade below.

2. Freestanding moveable seat and bench elements

R313.1 Delete sections R313.1 and 313.2 and substitute the following

R313.1 General.

Automatic fire sprinkler if installed at the applicant's option will be in conformance with Appendix RP

R314 Delete section R314 Smoke Alarms and substitute the following:

R314 Provisions for Fire Detection Systems

Provisions for Fire Detection Systems are contained within the Rhode Island Uniform Fire Safety Code.

R315 Delete entirely

R315 Provisions for Fire Detection Systems

Provisions for Fire Detection Systems are contained within the Rhode Island Uniform Fire Safety Code.

Delete section R317.1.3 and substitute the following:

R317.1.3 Geographical Areas.

Approved naturally durable or pressure-treated wood shall be used for those portions of wood members which form the structural supports of buildings, balconies, porches, or similar permanent building appurtenances when such members are exposed to the weather without adequate protection from a roof, eave, overhang or other covering which would prevent moisture or water accumulation on the surface or at joints between members.

Depending on local experience, such members may include:

1. Horizontal members such as girders, joists and decking.

2. Vertical members such as posts, poles and columns.

3. Both horizontal and vertical members.

R322.1 Add the following new section:

R322.1 General.

Building and structures in flood hazard areas, not designated as coastal A zones or coastal high hazard areas, shall have the lowest floors elevated to or above the base flood elevation, plus one foot (1') (305 mm), or the design flood elevation, whichever is higher.

R322.3.11 Add the following new section:

The following certifications shall be submitted to the building official:

1. For construction in flood hazard areas not subject to high-velocity wave action:

1.1 As part of the lowest floor elevation requirements of section R324.2.1, certification of the elevation of the lowest floor, including basement.

1.2 For fully enclosed areas below the design flood elevation where provisions to allow for the automatic entry and exit of floodwaters do not meet the minimum requirements in section 2.6.1.1, ASCE 24-14, certification by a registered design professional that the design will provide for equalization of hydrostatic flood forces in accordance with section 2.6.1.2, ASCE 24-14.

2. For construction in flood hazard areas subject to high-velocity wave action:

2.1 As part of the lowest floor elevation requirements section R323.3.2, a certification of the elevation of the lowest horizontal structural member.

2.2 A certificate prepared by a registered design professional that the building is designed in accordance with ASCE 24-14, including that the pile or column foundation and building or structure to be attached thereto is designed to be anchored to resist flotation, collapse and lateral movement due to the effects of wind and flood loads acting simultaneously on all building components, and other load requirements of section R324.3.3.

2.3 For breakaway walls designed to resist a nominal load of less than ten (10) pounds per square foot (0.48 kN/m2) or more than twenty (20) pounds per square foot (0.96 kN/m2), a certificate prepared by a registered design professional that the breakaway wall is designed in accordance with ASCE 24-14.

R322.4 Add new Section: Variances and Appeals

The Board of Appeals after examining the applicant's hardships shall approve or disapprove a variance request and shall hear and decide appeals from the requirements of these regulations, in accordance with the procedures of R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-27.3-127.0 of the Rhode Island State Building Code and the following:

Board of Appeals

The local (or State) Board of Appeals shall hear and decide appeals when it is alleged there is an error in any requirement, decision or determination made by the Building Official in the enforcement or administration of these Regulations.

Conditions of Acceptance:

(1) Variances may be issued for the reconstruction, rehabilitation or restoration of structures listed on the National Register of the State Inventory of Historic Places, without regard to the procedures set forth in this Section.

(2) Variances may be issued for new construction and substantial improvements to be erected on a lot of one half (1/2) acre or less in size contiguous to and surrounded by lots with existing structures constructed below the base flood level in conformance with the procedures of paragraphs (B) (3), (4), (5), and (6) of this Section.

(3) Variances shall only be issued upon a determination that the variance is the minimum necessary, considering the flood hazard, to afford relief.

(4) Variances shall only be issued upon:

1. A showing of good and sufficient cause,

2. A determination that failure to grant the variance would result in exceptional hardship to the applicant, and

3. A determination that the granting of a variance will not result in increased flood heights, additional threats to public safety, extraordinary public expense, create nuisances, cause fraud on or victimization of the public or conflict with existing local laws or ordinances.

(5) Any applicant to whom a variance is granted shall be given notice in the written decision from the Board of Appeals that the structure will be permitted to be built with a lowest floor elevation X foot below the base flood elevation.

(6) The Board of Appeals shall notify the applicant in the written decision that:

The issuance of a variance to construct a structure below the base flood level will result in increased premium rates for flood insurances up to amounts as high as twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for one hundred dollars ($100.00) of insurance coverage and

Such construction below the base flood level increases risks to life and property. Such notification shall be maintained with a record of all variances actions, including justification for their issuance. All such variances issued shall be reported in the community's Annual Report to the Federal Insurance Administration.

(7) Variances shall not be issued by a community within any designated regulatory floodway, if any increase in flood levels during the base discharge would result. (For communities which must meet the requirements of Section 60.3 (d) of the National Flood Insurance Program regulations).

(8) Upon receipt of an application for a variance the Chairman of the Board of Appeals shall forward a copy of the application to the Rhode Island Emergency Management Office, Statewide Flood-Plain Coordinator.

510 R.I. Code R. 510-RICR-00-00-2.5

Amended effective8/1/2019
Amended effective 2/1/2022