Rules & Regulations

The State Fire Safety Code consists of Parts 1 through 10 of the Rhode Island Code of Regulations (RICR) Title 450 - refer to the individual parts listed below.

 

NOTE: Parts 7, 8 and 10 set forth the RI amendments to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes adopted - in order to properly utilize the State Fire Safety Code, BOTH the NFPA core document AND the associated RI amendments must be read jointly.  As a rule, the most effective method to find what you are looking for is to first search in the applicable core document and then cross-reference the associated RI amendments to determine if there are any applicable modifications.

You should also check for any current Blanket Variances or formal Interpretations.

To view the applicable NFPA document in its entirety, use the NFPA "core document" link at the beginning of each section - when doing so, be certain to select FREE ACCESS and then the correct edition year, as indicated below, using the "Current and Prior Editions" tab on the NFPA site. Note that if you are not a member of NFPA you will be required to create a user profile in order to view documents, however, there is no cost associated with this requirement.

For free access to the complete library of NFPA Codes and Standards, click on the last banner at the bottom of this section.

450-RICR-00-00-1

Part 1:  Fire Safety Code Sections 1 through 6

  • 1.1 Dedication
  • 1.2 Declaration of Policy
  • 1.3 Consolidation of Rhode Island Fire Safety Code
  • 1.4 Authority
  • 1.5 Definitions
  • 1.6 Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review
  • 1.7 Administrative Powers of the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review

Part 7: Rhode Island Fire Code (NFPA 1 - 2018 edition) of the Rhode Island Fire Safety Code

Core document: NFPA 1

RI Amendments: 450-RICR-00-00-7

Part 8: Rhode Island Life Safety Code (NFPA 101 - 2018 edition) of the Rhode Island Fire Safety Code

(Part 8 is where the primary code requirements affecting all new and existing buildings in the state can be located)

Core Document: NFPA 101

RI Amendments: 450-RICR-00-00-8

Occupancy Chapter Index

  • Chapter 9: Building Service and Fire Protection Equipment
  • Chapters 12/13: New/Existing Assembly Occupancies
  • Chapters 14/15: New/Existing Educational Occupancies
  • Chapters 16/17: New/Existing Day Care Occupancies
  • Chapters 18/19: New/Existing Health Care Occupancies
  • Chapters 20/21: New/Existing Ambulatory Health Care Occupancies
  • Chapters 22/23: New/Existing Detention and Correctional Occupancies
  • Chapter 24: One- and Two-Family Dwellings
  • Chapter 25: Three-Family Apartment Buildings
  • Chapter 26: Lodging or Rooming Houses
  • Chapter 27: Emergency Shelter Occupancies
  • Chapters 28/29: New/Existing Hotels and Dormitories
  • Chapters 30/31: New/Existing Apartment Buildings (4+ units)
  • Chapters 32/33: New/Existing Residential Board and Care Occupancies
  • Chapters 36/37: New/Existing Mercantile Occupancies
  • Chapters 38/39: New/Existing Business Occupancies
  • Chapter 40: Industrial Occupancies
  • Chapter 42: Storage Occupancies
  • Chapter 44: Hazardous Conditions

450-RICR-00-00-9

Part 9: Rehabilitation Building and Fire Code for Existing Building and Structures (SRC-1 / 510-RICR-00-00-20)

Part 10: Rhode Island Fire Alarm Code (NFPA 72 - 2019 edition) -- also see Part 8, Chapter 9

Core Document: NFPA 72

RI Amendments: 450-RICR-00-00-10 

 

[Note: There are no local amendments to NFPA 72]

All parts may be accessed here directly.

LOCAL AHJs: Any request for clarification of enforcement of the Code from a local AHJ shall first be submitted to the State Fire Marshal’s Office for review and if the issue cannot be resolved at that level, it may then forwarded to the Board for a formal interpretation.  [450-RICR-00-00-1.7.4(C)]

GENERAL PUBLIC: All requests for information or clarification of a code provision should be directed to the State Fire Marshal's Office (if the request relates to State-owned or State-licensed properties or projects) or to the city, town or fire district authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) in the municipality where the property or project is located as there are numerous variable factors affecting how the different code requirements are evaluated.  This contact information is available on the Home Page in the Fire Safety Code & Board Information section under the  Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) Directory tab.

GD # 23-01     Conduct at Variance / Appeal Hearings           2/17/23

GD # 23-02     Code Modifiers: ADD / AMD / RES                   7/7/23

SMOKE ALARM AND CARBON MONOXIDE (CO) DETECTION REQUIREMENTS for 1-, 2- and 3-family dwellings

 

SMoke Alarms
* Only WORKING smoke and carbon monoxide alarms save lives! *
  1. Code regulations for 1- and 2-family dwellings are located in Chapter 24 of the RILSC.
  2. Code regulations for three-family apartment buildings are located in Chapter 25 of the RILSC.

Additional installation requirements and reference information for residential smoke and carbon monoxide alarms can be found in Chapter 29 of NFPA 72 (2019), National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code.

A summary of all requirements can be viewed on the State Fire Marshal's Office website under Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms.

 

TAKE SPECIAL NOTE OF THE POWER SUPPLY MODIFICATIONS LISTED BELOW!

 

Smoke & CO Alarm Power Supplies

SPECIAL NOTE: Section 9.6.1.6 of the current amendments to the RILSC provides that  "Whenever the terms “hardwired 120 vAC-powered” “hard-wired” or “hardwired” are used in this Code as it relates to the primary power supply for single- or multiple-station smoke alarms or carbon monoxide (CO) alarms, the provisions of § 72:29.9.1 (2019) shall apply", allowing for various alternate power supply methods.