510 R.I. Code R. 510-RICR-00-00-20.6

Current through November 7, 2024

Section 510-RICR-00-00-20.6 - Chapter 6: Reconstruction

20.6.1

601.0General Requirements

601.1 Reconstruction work is defined as the reconfiguration of a space which affects an exit, or a corridor shared by more than a single tenant; and/or reconfiguration of space such that the rehabilitation work area is not permitted to be occupied because existing means of egress and fire protection systems, or their equivalent, are not in place or continuously maintained; and/or extensive alterations as defined in Chapter 5. All reconstruction work shall comply with the requirements of this chapter.

Exception: As modified in Section 904.0 for historical buildings.

601.2 In addition to the requirements of Chapter 6, all work shall comply with all the requirements of Chapters 4 and 5. BF

Exceptions:

1. Buildings in which the reconfiguration of space affecting exits or shared egress access is exclusively the result of compliance with the accessibility requirements of Chapter 10 shall not be required to comply with Chapter 6.

2. Existing dead-end corridors shall be permitted to be extended and new dead-end corridors may be added in accordance with 602.1.5.

3. Any stairway replacing an existing stairway within a space where, because of existing construction, the pitch or slope cannot be reduced, shall not be required to comply with the maximum riser height and minimum tread depth requirements.

601.3 Wherever the term "rehabilitation work area" is used in Chapter 6, it is intended to include only the area affected by reconstruction work, and areas covered by non-structural requirements and extensive alterations. Other rehabilitation work areas affected exclusively by renovation or alteration work shall not be included in the rehabilitation work area that needs to comply with Chapter 6. BFO

20.6.2

602.0Nonstructural Requirements

602.1 Means of Egress

602.1.1 General: The means of egress shall comply with the requirements of this section. F

602.1.2 Number of means of egress: Every story utilized for human occupancy on which there is a rehabilitation work area shall be provided with the minimum number of means of egress required by NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, for existing occupancies. F

602.1.2.1 Mezzanines: Mezzanines in the rehabilitation work area shall be provided with the minimum number of means of egress required by NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, for existing occupancies. F

602.1.2.2 Buildings with a single means of egress: In buildings having only one means of egress, the single exit condition serving the rehabilitation work area shall be allowed to continue if permitted by the occupancy requirements of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, for existing occupancies. F

602.1.2.3 Assembly occupancies: Assembly occupancies shall be provided with a main entrance/exit as required by NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, for existing occupancies. F

602.1.2.4 Egress Stairways and Ramps: Egress stairways and ramps shall meet the requirements of NFPA 101 for existing buildings except as allowed by the authority having jurisdiction in §§102.3.1 and 601.2, Exception 3. F

602.1.3 Capacity of means of egress: The capacity of the means of egress in each rehabilitation work area and throughout the egress path of each rehabilitation work area shall be sufficient for the occupant load thereof. Capacity shall be determined in accordance with the requirements of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, for existing occupancies. F

Exceptions:

1. The authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted to establish the occupant load as the number of persons for which existing means of egress is adequate, provided that measures are established to prevent occupancy by a greater number of persons.

2. Where the building was previously determined to have adequate egress capacity.

602.1.4 Egress Doorways

602.1.4.1 Large areas: In any rehabilitation work area, all rooms and spaces having an occupant load greater than 50 or in which the travel distance exceeds 75 ft (23 m) shall have a minimum of two egress doorways. F

Exception: Where a single means of egress is permitted by the existing occupancy requirements in NFPA 101, Life Safety Code.

602.1.4.2 Corridor doors: Corridor doors in the rehabilitation work area shall meet the requirements for existing occupancies in NFPA 101, Life Safety Code. Existing doors in buildings protected throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system shall be required only to resist smoke; shall not contain louvers; and shall be reasonably tight fitting. F

Exceptions:

1. 1 3/8 in solid bonded wood core doors shall be considered acceptable where 1 3/4 in (44 mm) solid bonded wood core doors are required but the existing frames will not accommodate such a door.

2. Existing doors meeting the requirements for a rating of 15 minutes or better.

3. In small residential board and care occupancies having prompt evacuation capability and which are protected with an approved automatic detection system, closing devices shall be permitted to be omitted.

602.1.4.3 Transom: In all buildings of residential and residential board and care occupancies, all transoms in corridor walls in rehabilitation work areas shall be either glazed with 1/4 in (6.3 mm) wired glass set in metal frames or other glazing assemblies having a fire protection rating as required for the door and permanently secured in the closed position or sealed with materials consistent with the corridor construction. F

Exception: Where transoms are permitted by the existing occupancy requirements of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code.

602.1.4.4 Other corridor openings: In any rehabilitation work area, any other sash, grill or opening in a corridor, and any window in a corridor not opening to the outside air, shall be sealed with materials consistent with the corridor construction. F

602.1.4.5 Supplemental requirements: The requirements of 602.1.4.3 through 602.1.4.5 shall apply on the entire floor when the rehabilitation work area exceeds fifty (50%) percent of the floor area. F

Exception: Corridors within a tenant space that is entirely outside the rehabilitation work area need not comply.

602.1.4.6 Door swing: In the rehabilitation work area and in the egress path from any rehabilitation work area to the exit discharge, all egress doors shall swing in the direction of egress travel unless it is determined by the authority having jurisdiction that re-swinging an exit discharge door would impose a structural hardship upon the owner, or impede exit access within, or pedestrian traffic outside, the subject building. F

602.1.4.7 Door closers: In any rehabilitation work area all doors opening onto an exit passageway at grade or exit stair shall be self-closing or automatic-closing by listed closing devices. F

Exception: Where exit enclosure is not required by the fire code.

602.1.4.7.1 Locking Mechanisms: All locking mechanisms on required egress or egress-access doors shall meet the requirements of NFPA 101 for existing buildings. F

602.1.4.8 Panic or fire exit hardware: In any rehabilitation work area, and in the egress path from any rehabilitation work area to the exit discharge, in a building or portions thereof of assembly or educational occupancies with an occupant load greater than 100 all required egress doors equipped with latching devices shall be equipped with approved panic or fire exit hardware. F

602.1.4.9 Supplemental requirements: The requirements 602.1.4.6 through 602.1.4.8 shall apply on the entire floor when the rehabilitation work area exceeds fifty (50%) percent of the floor area. F

Exception: Means of egress within a tenant space that is entirely outside the rehabilitation work area need not comply.

602.1.5 Dead end corridors: Existing dead-end corridors in any rehabilitation work area shall not exceed 35 ft. (11 m). Newly constructed dead-end corridors shall comply with other sections of this code. F

Exceptions:

1. Where dead-end corridors of greater length are permitted by the existing occupancy requirements of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code.

2. In other than assembly occupancies and areas containing high hazard contents, the maximum length of an existing dead-end corridor shall be 50 ft (15 m) in buildings equipped throughout with an approved complete automatic fire alarm system.

3. In other than assembly occupancies and areas containing high hazard contents, the maximum length of an existing dead-end corridor shall be 70 ft (21 m) in buildings equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system.

4. In other than assembly occupancies and areas containing high hazard contents, the maximum length of a newly constructed or extended dead end corridor shall not exceed 50 ft (15 m) in buildings equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system.

602.1.6 Means of egress lighting

602.1.6.1 Means of egress in all rehabilitation work areas shall be provided with artificial and emergency lighting in accordance with the requirements of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, for existing occupancies. F

602.1.6.2 Supplemental requirements

(a) Where the reconstruction rehabilitation work area on any floor exceeds fifty (50%) percent of that floor area, means of egress throughout the floor shall be provided with artificial lighting in accordance with the requirements of other sections of this Code. F

Exception: Means of egress within a tenant space that is entirely outside the rehabilitation work area need not comply.

(b) In a building with rehabilitation work areas involving over fifty (50%) percent of the aggregate floor area within the building, the means of egress within the rehabilitation work area and the means of egress, including the exit and exit discharge paths serving the rehabilitation work area, shall be provided with artificial lighting in accordance with the requirements of other sections of this Code. F

Exception: Means of egress within a tenant space that is entirely outside the rehabilitation work area need not comply.

602.1.7 Exit signs

602.1.7.1 Means of egress in all rehabilitation work areas shall be provided with exit signs in accordance with the requirements of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code for existing occupancies. F

602.1.7.2 Supplemental requirements:

(a) Where the reconstruction rehabilitation work area on any floor exceeds fifty (50%) percent of that floor area, means of egress throughout the floor shall be provided with exit signs in accordance with the requirements of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code for new construction. F

Exception: Means of egress within a tenant space that is entirely outside the rehabilitation work area need not comply.

(b) In a building with rehabilitation work areas involving over fifty (50%) percent of the aggregate floor area within the building, means of egress from the floor of the highest rehabilitation work area to the floor of exit discharge shall be provided with exit signs in accordance with the requirements of other sections of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code for new construction. F

Exception: Means of egress within a tenant space that is entirely outside the rehabilitation work area need not comply.

602.1.8 Handrails: The following requirements shall apply from the highest rehabilitation work area floor to the level of exit discharge. F

602.1.8.1 Every required exit stairway that is part of the means of egress for any rehabilitation work area that has three or more risers and is not provided with at least one handrail, or in which the existing handrails are judged to be in danger of collapsing, shall be provided with handrails for the full length of the run of steps on at least one side. All exit stairways with a required egress width of more than 66 in. (1675 mm) shall have handrails on both sides. F

602.1.8.2 Where there are no handrails or where the existing handrails must be replaced in accordance with 602.1.8.1, the handrails shall be designed and installed in accordance with the requirements of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code for new construction. F

602.1.9 Guards: The following requirements shall apply from the highest rehabilitation work area floor to the level of exit discharge but shall be confined to the egress path of any rehabilitation work area. F

602.1.9.1 Every open portion of a stair, landing, or balcony that is more than 30 in. (760 mm) above the floor or grade below and not provided with guards, or those in which the existing guards are judged to be in danger of collapsing, shall be provided with guards. F

602.1.9.2 Where there are no guards or where the existing guards must be replaced in accordance with 602.1.9.1, the guards shall be designed and installed in accordance with the requirements of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code for new construction. F

602.2 Interior Finish

602.2.1 The interior finish of walls and ceilings in any rehabilitation work area shall comply with the requirements for existing occupancies in NFPA 101, Life Safety Code. All existing interior finish materials which do not comply with the requirements of Chapter 6 shall be removed or shall be treated with an approved fire-retardant coating in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions to secure compliance with the requirements of this section. F

602.2.2 Supplemental Requirements

602.2.2.1 Where the rehabilitation work area on any floor exceeds fifty (50%) percent of that floor area, the requirements of 602.2.1 shall apply to the interior finish in exits and corridors serving the rehabilitation work area on the entire floor. F

Exception: Interior finish within a tenant space that is entirely outside the rehabilitation work area need not comply.

602.2.2.2 In a building with rehabilitation work areas involving over fifty (50%) percent of the aggregate floor area within the building, the requirements for interior finishes in exits shall apply from the floor of the highest rehabilitation work area to the floor of exit discharge. F

602.3 Shaft enclosures

602.3.1 In any rehabilitation work area, newly constructed vertical openings connecting two or more floors shall comply with the requirements of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code for new construction. All new shafts shall be continuous from floor to floor or floor to roof, including all affected areas that may be outside the rehabilitation work area. F

Exception: In buildings protected throughout by a fire alarm system installed in accordance with 602.6 or an automatic suppression system in accordance with NFPA 13 or NFPA 13R the following is permitted:

In buildings constructed of other than 3B or 5B construction, where continuity of the shaft enclosure is unfeasible, interior vertical openings other than stairways or other egress components, may be enclosed from floor to ceiling with an approved fire rated assembly.

602.3.2 In any rehabilitation work area, all existing interior vertical openings connecting two or more floors shall be enclosed with approved assemblies in accordance with NFPA 101, Life Safety Code for existing construction. All shafts shall be continuous from floor to floor or floor to roof, including all affected areas that may be outside the rehabilitation work area. F

Exceptions: In buildings protected throughout by a fire alarm system installed in 602.6 or an automatic suppression system in accordance with NFPA 13 or NFPA 13R the following is permitted:

In buildings constructed of other than 3B or 5B construction, where continuity of the shaft enclosure is unfeasible, interior vertical openings other than stairways or other egress components, may be enclosed from floor to ceiling with an approved fire rated assembly.

In apartment buildings that are no more than three (3) stories in height, stairwells may be enclosed with lathe and plaster walls that have been maintained properly. If there is wainscoting applied, the wainscoting shall be coated with a Class A, flame retardant paint.

In non-high-rise apartment buildings that are more than three (3) stories in height, stairwells may be enclosed with lathe and plaster walls that have been maintained properly provided the building is protected throughout by a fire alarm system installed in accordance with 602.6 and the stairwells are protected with an automatic suppression system in accordance with NFPA 13. If there is wainscoting applied, the wainscoting shall be coated with a Class A, flame retardant paint.

In mixed-use buildings with apartments located above, that are no more than three (3) stories in height, stairwells may be enclosed with lathe and plaster walls that have been maintained properly. If there is wainscoting applied, the wainscoting shall be coated with a Class A, flame retardant paint.

In non-high rise mixed use buildings with apartments located above, that are more than three (3) stories in height, stairwells may be enclosed with lathe and plaster walls that have been maintained properly provided the building is protected throughout by a fire alarm system installed in accordance with 602.6 and the stairwells are protected with an automatic suppression system in accordance with NFPA 13. If there is wainscoting applied, the wainscoting shall be coated with a Class A, flame retardant paint.

602.3.3 Supplemental requirements

602.3.3.1 Where the reconstruction rehabilitation work area on any floor exceeds fifty (50%) percent of that floor area, 602.3.2 shall apply throughout the floor. F

602.3.3.2 Where the reconstruction rehabilitation work area on any floor exceeds fifty (50%) percent of that floor area, stairways that are part of the means of egress serving the rehabilitation work area shall be enclosed with smoke tight enclosures on all floors below the highest rehabilitation work area floor. F

Exception: Where stairway enclosure is not required for existing occupancies in, Life Safety Code.

602.3.3.3 In a building with rehabilitation work areas involving over fifty (50%) percent of the aggregate floor area within the building, stairways that are part of the means of egress shall be enclosed in accordance with 602.3.2 on the highest rehabilitation work area floor and on all floors below it. F

602.4 Fire barriers and smoke barriers

602.4.1 Health care occupancies: Where the rehabilitation work area is on a story used for sleeping purposes for more than 30 patients, the story shall be divided into not less than two compartments by smoke barriers as required for existing health care occupancies in NFPA 101, Life Safety Code. F

602.4.2 Small residential board and care: Where the rehabilitation work area is in any attached dwelling unit in a small residential board and care occupancy, walls separating the dwelling units which are not continuous from the foundation to the underside of the roof sheathing shall be constructed to provide a continuous fire separation using construction materials consistent with the existing wall or complying with the requirements for new structures. All work shall be performed on the side of the wall of the dwelling unit that is part of the rehabilitation work area. BF

Exception: Walls are not required to be continuous through concealed floor spaces.

602.5 Automatic sprinkler systems

602.5.1 All rehabilitation work areas in any building or portion thereof that is required to be suppressed in accordance with the provisions of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code for existing buildings shall be provided with an automatic sprinkler system. F

Exception: In other than high-rise structures, where an adequate water supply for sprinkler protection is not available, alternative protection measures that are acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted. For purposes of this exception, adequate water supply shall mean that the water supply available at the site has sufficient flow capability at a residual pressure of 20 psi (138,000 N/m2) to meet the sprinkler system demand criteria.

602.5.2 Supplemental requirements

602.5.2.1 Where the rehabilitation work area on any floor exceeds fifty (50%) percent of that floor area, 602.5.1 shall apply to the entire floor. F

Exception: In other than high-rise structures, where an adequate water supply for sprinkler protection is not available the authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted to accept alternative protection. For purposes of this exception, adequate water supply shall mean that the water supply available at the site has sufficient flow capability at a residual pressure of 20 psi (138,000 N/m2) to meet the sprinkler system demand criteria.

602.5.2.2 In a building with rehabilitation work areas involving over fifty (50%) percent of the aggregate building area, automatic sprinkler systems shall be provided in accordance with requirements for new construction. This requirement shall apply to the highest floor containing a rehabilitation work area and all floors below. F

Exceptions:

1. In other than high-rise structures, where an adequate water supply for sprinkler protection is not available, the authority having jurisdiction shall be permitted to accept alternative protection. For purposes of this Exception, adequate water supply shall mean that the water supply available at the site has sufficient flow capability at a residual pressure of 20 psi (138,000 N/m2) to meet the sprinkler system demand criteria.

2. Residential occupancies less than four stories in height and with no more than six units between fire walls.

602.5.3 Mixed uses: In buildings containing mixed uses, one or more of which requires automatic sprinkler protection in accordance with 602.5.1 or 602.5.2, automatic sprinklers will not be required throughout the building, provided that the occupancies requiring automatic sprinklers are separated from those not requiring automatic sprinklers by fire-resistive construction having a minimum 2-hour rating for high hazard content areas, and a minimum 1-hour rating for all other conditions. F

602.5.4 Supervision

Automatic sprinkler systems required by 602.5 shall be supervised in accordance with NFPA 101 Life Safety Code for new construction and the fire alarm provisions of this code. F

Exceptions:

1. Underground gate valve with roadway boxes.

2. Halogenated extinguishing systems.

3. Carbon dioxide extinguishing systems.

4. Dry and wet chemical extinguishing systems.

5. Limited area sprinkler systems.

6. Residential occupancies complying with NFPA 13R, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Residential Occupancies Up to and Including Four Stories in Height.

7. Where supervision is not required for existing occupancies in NFPA 101, Life Safety Code.

602.5.5 Standpipes: In a building more than three (3) stories in height or over fifty (50) feet in height above grade and containing intermediate stories or balconies, with rehabilitation work areas involving over fifty (50%) percent of the aggregate building area, a standpipe system shall be provided with standpipes up to and including the highest rehabilitation work area floor. The standpipes shall be located and installed in accordance with NFPA 14, Standard for the Installation of Standpipe, Private Hydrant, and Hose Systems. The standpipe system shall be designed to accommodate expansion to the entire building. F

Exceptions:

1. No pump shall be required provided that the standpipes are capable of accepting delivery by fire department apparatus of a minimum of 250 gpm at 65 psi (0.9 m3/min at 448,000 N/m2) to the topmost floor in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system or a minimum of 500 gpm at 65 psi (1.9 m3/min at 448,000 N/m2) to the topmost floor in all other buildings. Where the standpipe terminates below the topmost floor, the standpipe shall be designed to meet these flow/pressure requirements for possible future extension of the standpipe.

2. In other than high-rise buildings, the required interconnection of the standpipes for a wet system shall be permitted at the lowest level of the rehabilitation work area.

602.5.6 Elevator recall: When sprinklers are installed in an elevator hoist way or elevator machine room as part of the rehabilitation work, the elevators shall comply with rule 211.3 of ASME/A 17.1-1996, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators. O

602.6 Fire alarm systems: In buildings covered by this chapter, fire alarm systems are required as follows: F

Assembly (A-2 through A-5)

(a) A fire alarm system as prescribed in R.I. Gen. Laws §23-28.25-4(a), as amended, shall be installed in all Class "C" places of assembly (50 to 300 persons).

(b) A fire alarm system as prescribed in R.I. Gen. Laws §23-28.25-4(b), as amended, shall be installed in all Class "A" and "B" places of assembly (Class A, 1001 or more persons; Class B, 301 to 1000 persons).

(c) In addition to the locations prescribed in R.I. Gen. Laws §23-28.25 as amended, a manual alarm station shall be installed on every stage and near any fixed lighting control panel and any projection booth.

(d) A one hundred thirty-five degrees F (135o) to one hundred forty degrees F (140o) rate of rise or fixed temperature detector shall be installed above all stage areas and below all accessible stage areas and projection booths.

Hotels and Motels (R-1)

A fire alarm system as prescribed in R.I. Gen. Laws §23-28.25-4(b), as amended, shall be installed in every hotel. In addition, a visual alarm signal shall be installed in guest rooms specifically designed for persons with disabilities. A rate of rise and one hundred thirty-five degree (135o) to one hundred forty degree (140o) fixed temperature thermodetector and a local single station AC smoke detector shall be installed in every sleeping room.

Exception: Buildings no more than two (2) stories high where each guest room has a direct exit to the outside of the building shall have a fire alarm system as prescribed in R.I. Gen. Laws §23-28.25-4(a), as amended and a local single station AC smoke detector shall be installed in each sleeping room.

Boarding Homes (R-1)

(a) A fire alarm system as prescribed in R.I. Gen. Laws §23-28.25-4(b), as amended, shall be installed in every boarding house.

Exception: Buildings with accommodations for fewer than ten (10) persons shall have a fire alarm system as prescribed in R.I. Gen. Laws §23-28.25-4(a), as amended.

(b) In addition, a local single station AC smoke detector shall be installed in each sleeping room with either system.

Rooming Houses (R-1)

(a) A fire alarm system as prescribed in R.I. Gen. Laws §23-28.25-4(a), as amended, shall be installed in every rooming house.

(b) In addition, a local single station AC smoke detector shall be installed in every sleeping room.

Apartment House (R-2)

(a) Every apartment house shall have a fire alarm system installed as follows:

(1) Buildings containing more than three (3) and less than eight (8) living units shall have a local fire alarm system as described in R.I. Gen. Laws §23-28.25-4(a), as amended.

(2) Buildings containing eight (8) or more living units shall have a fire alarm system as described in R.I. Gen. Laws §23-28.25-4(b), as amended.

(3) Buildings classified as high-rise (more than seventy-five feet (75') in height) shall have a fire alarm system as described in R.I. Gen. Laws §23-28.25-4(c), as amended.

(b) In addition, all living units shall have a smoke detection system as described in R.I. Gen. Laws §§23-28.34-2 through 23-28.34-4.

Industrial, Mercantile, Business, and Storage Building (F-1, F-2, M, B, S-1, S-2)

(a) A fire alarm system as described in R.I. Gen. Laws §23-28.25-4(a), as amended, shall be installed in all industrial, mercantile, business, and storage buildings.

(b) A fire alarm system as described in R.I. Gen. Laws §23-28.25-4(b), as amended, shall be installed in every industrial, mercantile, business, and storage building having a total floor area of more than ten thousand square feet (10,000 sq. ft.) per floor or extending three (3) stories or more above grade level.

Theaters (A-1)

(a) A fire alarm system as prescribed in R.I. Gen. Laws §23-28.25-4(b), as amended, shall be installed in every theater.

(b) In addition to the location prescribed in R.I. Gen. Laws §23-28.25-4(b), as amended, a manual station shall be installed on every stage and near any fixed lighting control panel and in every projection booth.

(c) Manual stations, with the approval of the authority having jurisdiction, may be omitted from exits and installed in such locations as the ticket booth or the refreshment stand.

(d) Alarm sounding devices and flashing lights shall be installed where required by the authority having jurisdiction. Voice communication evacuation systems are required and shall interrupt all audio systems.

602.6.1 Smoke alarms

602.6.1.1 In hotels and dormitories and apartment occupancies, individual guest rooms and individual dwelling units in any rehabilitation work area shall be provided with smoke alarms complying with the requirements for new construction. F

602.6.1.2 Where the reconstruction rehabilitation work area is in residential board and care occupancies and three-family dwellings, smoke alarms complying with the requirements for new construction shall be provided throughout the dwelling unit at each level and outside each sleeping area. F

Exceptions:

1. Interconnection of smoke detectors shall not be required outside of the rehabilitation work area.

2. Battery-powered single station smoke detectors listed in accordance with UL 217, Standard for Safety for Single and Multiple Station Smoke Alarms, shall be permitted outside the rehabilitation work area.

602.6.2 Local fire alarm systems

602.6.2.1 Where the rehabilitation work area on any floor exceeds fifty (50%) percent of that floor area and the rehabilitation work area is in a building that is required to have a local fire alarm system in accordance with 602.6, a local fire alarm system shall be provided on the floor. Alarm-indicating appliances shall be provided on the floor and shall be automatically activated as required by R.I. Gen. Laws §23-28.25-4(a) as amended. F

602.6.2.2 Where the rehabilitation work area involves over fifty (50%) percent of the aggregate building area and the rehabilitation work area is in a building that is required to have a local fire alarm system in accordance with other provisions of Section, a local fire alarm system shall be provided throughout the building. F

602.6.3 Supervised fire alarm systems

602.6.3.1 Where the rehabilitation work area is in a building that is required to have a supervised fire alarm system in accordance with 602.6 a supervised fire alarm system shall be installed in the rehabilitation work area. F

602.6.3.2 Where the rehabilitation work area on any floor exceeds fifty (50%) percent of that floor area and the rehabilitation work area is in a building that is required to have a supervised fire alarm system in accordance 602.6, the supervised fire alarm system shall be installed throughout the floor. F

602.6.3.3 Where the rehabilitation work area involves over fifty (50%) percent of the aggregate building area and the building is required to have a supervised fire alarm system in accordance with 602.6, a supervised fire alarm system shall be provided throughout the building. F

602.7 High-rise buildings: Any building or structure having one or more floors more than seventy-five (75') feet (23 m) above the lowest level accessible to a fire department vehicle shall comply with the high-rise provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws §23-28.25-4(c) as amended along with the requirements of this section. F

602.7.1 Re-circulating air or exhaust systems: When the rehabilitation work area is on a floor that is served by a re-circulating air or exhaust system serving more than one floor, the re-circulating air or exhaust system that serves the rehabilitation work area shall be equipped with approved smoke and heat detection devices installed in accordance with the Mechanical Code. The devices shall stop the fans automatically and shall be of the manual reset type. Automatic fan shutdown is not required when the system is part of an approved smoke removal or smoke control system. BF

602.7.2 Elevators: When the rehabilitation work area is one entire floor or when the rehabilitation work area is twenty (20%) percent or more of the occupied floor area of the building, the elevators in the building shall be equipped with the following emergency control devices: BFO

(1) All automatic (non-designated attendant) elevators having a travel of 25 ft (7620 mm) or more above or below the designated level shall be equipped with Phase I Emergency Recall Operation as required by ASME/ANSI A 17.1-1987, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, Rules 211.3 a and 211.3b.

(2) All floors shall be accessible by at least one elevator equipped with Phase II Emergency In-Car Operation, as required by ASME/ANSI A 17.1-1987, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, Rule 2.113 c.

(3) All designated attendant elevators having a travel of 25 ft (7620 mm) or more above or below the designated level shall be equipped with emergency controls, as required by ASME/ANSI A 17.1-1987, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, Rule 211.4.

(Elevator approvals by the Department of Labor and Training.) BFO

602.7.3 Smoke barriers: Where the rehabilitation work area on any floor exceeds fifty (50%) percent of that floor area and is on a floor that is above the main floor level in hotel and dormitory occupancies and apartment occupancies, smoke barriers shall conform to the requirements for existing occupancies in NFPA 101, Life Safety Code. F

602.8 Boiler/furnace equipment rooms

602.8.1 Boiler/furnace equipment rooms shall be enclosed by one-hour fire-rated construction when the rehabilitation work area is in a daycare occupancy or residential board and care occupancy. BFO

Exceptions:

1. Furnace and boiler equipment of low pressure type [operating at pressures of 15 psig (103,000 N/m2) or less for steam equipment, or 160 psig (1,100,000 N/m2) or less for hot water equipment] when installed in accordance with manufacturer recommendations or furnace and boiler equipment of residential type [200,000 Btu/hour (210 MJ/hour) input rating or less] is not required to be enclosed.

2. Furnace rooms protected with automatic sprinkler protection.

3. Boiler/furnace equipment rooms protected in accordance with the Boiler Code.

(Boilers over 200,000 BTU require approval by the Department of Labor and Training.)

602.8.2 Emergency controls shall be provided in all structures classified as a day-care occupancy or residential board and care occupancy in accordance with the following: B

(1) Emergency shutoff switches for furnaces and boilers in basements shall be at the top of the stairs leading to the basement.

(2) Emergency shutoff switches for furnaces and boilers in other enclosed rooms shall be located outside of the room.

602.9 Structural

602.9.1 General: Where buildings are undergoing reconstruction including structural alterations, the provisions of this section shall apply. B

602.9.2 Reduction of strength: Reconstruction shall not reduce the structural strength or stability of the building, structure or any individual member thereof. B

Exception: Such reduction shall be allowed provided that the structural strength and the stability of the building are not reduced to below the Building Code levels.

602.9.3 New structural members: New structural members in reconstructions including connections and anchorage, shall comply with the Building Code unless the authority having jurisdiction specifically allows replacement with like materials. B

602.9.4 Minimum design loads: The minimum design loads for the structure shall be the loads applicable at the time the building was constructed, provided that no overstressed condition is created. B

602.9.5 Structural alterations: Buildings and structures undergoing structural reconstruction shall comply with this section. B

602.9.5.1 Evaluation and analysis: An engineering evaluation and analysis which establishes the structural adequacy of the altered structure shall be prepared by a registered design professional and submitted to the code official where more than thirty (30%) percent, within a 12-month period, of the floor and roof areas of the building or structure have been or are proposed to be involved in structural alteration. The evaluation and analysis shall demonstrate that the building or the buildings' structural system once altered complies with the Building Code for wind loading. The areas to be counted towards the thirty (30%) percent shall be those areas tributary to the vertical load carrying components such as joists, beams, columns, walls and other structural components that have been or will be removed, added or altered, as well as areas such as mezzanines, penthouses, roof structures and infilled courts and shafts. B

Exceptions:

(1) Buildings of Group R occupancy with no more than 5 dwelling units or guest rooms used solely for residential purposes altered based on the conventional light-frame construction methods of the Building Code.

(2) Where such alterations involve only the lowest story of a building and change of occupancy provisions of Chapter 7 do not apply; only the lateral force resisting components in and below that story need comply with this section.

602.9.6 Additional vertical loads: Where gravity loading is increased on the roof or floor of a building or structure, all structural members affected by such increase in loading shall meet the gravity load requirements of the Building Code. B

Exceptions:

1. Structural elements whose stress is not increased by more than five (5%) percent.

2. Buildings of Group R occupancy with no more than 5 dwelling units or guest rooms used solely for residential purposes altered based on the conventional light frame construction methods of the Building Code.

602.9.7 Voluntary lateral force resisting system alterations: Alterations of existing structural elements that are initiated for the purpose of increasing the lateral force resisting strength or stiffness of an existing structure, and are not required by other sections of this code, shall not be required to be designed for forces conforming to the Building Code provided that an engineering analysis is submitted to show that:

1. The capacity of existing structural elements required to resist forces is not reduced;

2. The lateral loading to existing structural elements is not increased beyond their capacity;

3. New structural elements are detailed and connected to the existing structural elements as required by the Building Code;

4. New or relocated non-structural elements are detailed and connected to existing or new structural elements as required by the Building Code and

5. An imminent danger as defined in this code is not created.

Voluntary alterations to lateral force resisting systems conducted in accordance with the referenced standards of the Building Code shall be permitted. B

NOTE: Where the section is followed by the letter "B", "F", or "O", the following meaning shall apply:

"B" This means that the Building Official or the Plumbing, Mechanical or Electrical Inspector shall review the plans, issue the permit, inspect the installation, and approve the final certificate.

"F" This means that the Fire Official shall review the plans for approval, the Fire Official and/or the Building Official inspects the installation, and the Fire Official observes the final test and approves the final installation. The Building Official shall issue the permits.

"O" This would indicate another State agency approval and inspection is needed. An explanation will indicate the agency and approvals needed.

510 R.I. Code R. 510-RICR-00-00-20.6