2010 -- H 7706

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2010

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A N A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE FIRE SAFETY CODE

     Introduced By: Representatives Serpa, Vaudreuil, Martin, Newberry, and Ferri

     Date Introduced: February 25, 2010

     Referred To: House Corporations

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 23-28.1-6 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-28.1 entitled

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"Comprehensive Fire Safety Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

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     23-28.1-6. Applicability to new or existing structures. -- (a) All regulations contained

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in this code apply to all structures unless specifically exempted. Prior to a building permit being

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issued, all plans for buildings regulated under this code shall be submitted to the authority having

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jurisdiction. The authority having jurisdiction shall approve or disapprove the completed set of

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plans within a reasonable time not to exceed ninety (90) fifteen (15) days. When a change of use

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or type of occupancy is made in an existing building, the building shall conform to the

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requirements established by the rehabilitation building and fire code for existing buildings and

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structures, or if the rehabilitation building and fire code for existing structures is not applicable, to

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the requirements for new structures as related to the proposed use or type of occupancy.

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, any completed set of plans relating to the construction or

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rehabilitation of a residential dwelling occupied by one, two (2), and/or three (3) families shall be

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approved or disapproved within sixty (60) days.

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      (b) In existing structures, since it is not always practical or efficient to strictly apply all

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of the provisions of the code, the authority having jurisdiction shall have the power to implement

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and enforce the provisions of the code as provided for in the Uniform Fire Code (NFPA 1) and

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the Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) with annexes, as applicable to existing structures, consistent

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with such rules and regulations as may be adopted and such decisions as may be rendered by the

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Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review.

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      (c) Application of the code to new and existing structures shall be consistent with such

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blanket variances, variances, and rules, as may be approved by the Fire Safety Code Board of

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Appeal and Review, and such modifications as may be issued in writing by the authority having

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jurisdiction, in accordance with NFPA 101, with annexes.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- THE FIRE SAFETY CODE

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     This act would reduce from ninety (90) days to fifteen (15) days the time within which

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building plans must be approved or disapproved by the appropriate authority.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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