It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Section 23-28.1-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-28.1 entitled "Fire Safety Code -- General Provisions" is hereby amended to read as follows:

{ADD 23-28.1-5. Definitions. -- ADD} Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following terms shall, for the purpose of this code, have the meanings indicated in this section:

(1) Apartment house. (A) The term "apartment house" shall mean a building containing four (4) or more family units or apartments arranged such that a common means of egress is shared by two (2) or more family units or apartments.

(B) A family unit or apartment shall be that part of an apartment house that is arranged for the use of one (1) or more persons living and cooking together or alone as a single housekeeping unit.

(2) Area of refuge. The term "area of refuge" shall mean a ground area, reasonably accessible from a building, of sufficient size and in safe condition for refuge by all building occupants at a safe distance from the building. When used in relation to areas within buildings, this term shall mean an area beyond a fire wall or smoke barrier of sufficient size to offer refuge to all occupants on the same floor of the building.

(3) Air supported structure. A structural and mechanical system which is constructed of high strength fabric or film and achieves its shape, stability, and support by pretensioning with internal air pressure; air structures may be used for temporary applications.

(4) Alteration. As applied to a building or structure means a change or rearrangement in the structural parts or in the means of egress; or an enlargement, whether by extending on a side or by increasing in height; or the moving from one location or position to another.

(5) Attic. The space between the ceiling beams of the top habitable story and the roof rafters.

(6) Attic (Habitable). A habitable attic is an attic which has a stairway as a means of access and egress and in which the ceiling area at a height of seven and one-third (7 1/3) feet above the attic floor is not more than one-third (1/3) the area of the floor next below.

(7) Authority having jurisdiction. Unless specifically defined to the contrary in the various occupancy chapters, the authority having jurisdiction shall be the state fire marshal, the deputy fire marshal and assistant deputies.

(8) Automatic. As applied to fire protection devices, is a device or system providing an emergency function without the necessity of a human intervention and activated as a result of a predetermined temperature rise, rate of rise of temperature, or increase in the level of combustion products; such as incorporated in an automatic sprinkler system, automatic fire door, etc.

(9) Automatic detecting device. A device which automatically detects heat, smoke, or other products of combustion.

(10) Automatic fire alarm system. A manual fire alarm system containing automatic detecting device(s) which actuates a fire alarm signal.

(11) Automatic fire door. A fire door or other opening protective constructed and arranged so that, if open, it shall close when subjected to:

(A) a predetermined temperature,

(B) a predetermined rate of temperature rise, or

(C) smoke or other products of combustion.

(12) Automatic sprinkler. A device, connected to a water supply system, that opens automatically at a predetermined fixed temperature and disperses a spray of water.

(13) Automatic sprinkler system. A sprinkler system, for fire protection purposes, is an integrated system of underground and/or overhead piping designed in accordance with fire protection engineering standards. The system includes a suitable water supply. The portion of the system above ground is a network of specially or hydraulically designed piping installed in a building, structure, or area, generally overhead, and to which automatic sprinklers are connected in a systematic pattern. The system is usually activated by heat from a fire and discharges water over the fire area.

(14) Automatic water supply. Water supplied through a gravity or pressure tank or automatically operated fire pumps, or from a direct connection to an approved municipal water main.

(15) Basement. The term "basement" shall mean that portion of a building, the floor of which is at least two feet (2') below the lowest adjacent ground level or sidewalk at any point, and is below ground level for more than fifty percent (50%) of its area to a depth greater than fifty percent (50%) of its clear story height (floor to ceiling). (See "Story", "Cellar".)

(16) Boarding homes. The term "boarding home" shall mean a building used in whole or in part as a place for the boarding and care of five (5) or more persons, excluding a family group of a dwelling or home, and homes for the aged, but shall not include such places as are defined under the term "hospital," "convalescent home," "nursing home," "foster home," "rest home."

(17) Building. Any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use or occupancy.

(18) Building (Existing). Any structure erected prior to the adoption of the appropriate code, or one for which a legal building permit has been issued.

(19) Business building. The term "business building" shall mean a building used for or planned for use in transacting business that does not involve the storage of stocks or goods, wares, or merchandise in large quantities, except such as are incidental to display purposes; included, among others shall be office buildings, civil administration activities, professional services, testing, and research laboratories, radio stations, telephone exchanges, gasoline stations having a storage capacity under twenty thousand (20,000) gallons, and similar establishments.

(20) Cellar. That portion of a building the ceiling of which is completely below ground level at all exterior walls. (See "Story", "Basement".)

(21) Child day care center. The term "child day care center" shall mean a room or group of rooms or spaces within a building used as a place for the care, guidance and/or supervision of a total of five (5) or more children not of common parentage, which term shall include all such places known as day nurseries, nursery schools, kindergarten schools, play schools, and preschools.

(21A) Family day care home. The term "family day care home" means any home other than the child's home in which child day care in lieu of parental care and/or supervision is offered at the same time to at least four (4) but not more than eight (8) children who are not relatives of the care giver, and which is licensed by the State Department for Children and Their Families and subject to the department's regulations.

(22) Chimney. A primarily vertical enclosure containing one (1) or more passageways.

(23) Factory-built chimneys. A chimney that is factory made, listed by a nationally recognized testing or inspection agency, for venting gas appliances, gas incinerators, and solid or liquid fuel burning appliances.

(24) Masonry chimney. A field constructed chimney of solid masonry units, bricks, stones, listed hollow masonry units, or reinforced concrete built in accordance with nationally recognized standards.

(25) Metal chimney (Smokestack). A field constructed chimney made of metal and built in accordance with nationally recognized standards.

(26) Chimney connector. A pipe which connects a fuel burning appliance to a chimney.

(27) Classroom. The term "classroom" shall mean a room used by a group of students to receive instructions or pursue studies.

(28) Code. The term "code" shall mean this Fire Safety Code established under the provisions of section 23-28.1-1 of the general laws.

(29) Combustible. The term "combustible" shall mean that which is not within the category of "noncombustible", as defined in this section of the code.

(30) Covered mall. A covered or roofed interior area used as a pedestrian public way and connecting buildings and/or a group of buildings housing individual or multiple tenants.

(31) Convalescent home. See intermediate care facility.

(32) Dumbwaiters. A "dumbwaiter" is a lifting and lowering mechanism with a floor area not exceeding nine (9) square feet, with a car top not more than four (4) feet above the car floor, the capacity not to exceed five hundred pounds (500 lbs.), which is used exclusively for carrying freight. No persons are permitted to ride on, in, or to step into the car.

(33) Elevator. An elevator is a hoisting and lowering mechanism equipped with a car platform which moves in guides in a substantially vertical direction which services two (2) or more floors of a building or structure.

(34) Exit. The term "exit" shall have the same meaning as "means of egress," as defined in this section.

(35) Fire door. The term "fire door" shall mean a door and its assembly with jamb, so constructed and assembled in place as to have a certified fire-resistant rating of at least the herein prescribed duration.

(36) Fire-retardant treated wood. (A) The term "fire-retardant treated wood" shall mean wood so treated by a pressure impregnation process as to reduce its combustibility. When permitted as a structural element, fire-retardant treated wood shall be tested in accordance with standards of N.F.P.A. 255, A.S.T.M.E.-84 and U.L. 723, and shall show a flamespread rating of no greater than twenty-five (25) when exposed for a period of not less than thirty (30) minutes with no evidence of significant progressive combustion. The material shall bear the identification of an accredited authoritative testing agency showing the performance thereof.

(B) When used as an interior finish, material fire-retardant treated wood shall meet the required flame spread ratings when tested in accordance with the test scale described in the definition of flamespread.

(C) Such material shall not be used on the exterior of buildings where it will be exposed directly to the weather.

(37) Fire wall. The term "fire wall" shall mean a wall of brick, reinforced concrete, hollow masonry units or other approved noncombustible materials, which subdivides a building or separates a building to restrict the spread of fire; and shall have sufficient structural stability under fire conditions to allow collapse of construction on either side without collapse of the wall; and shall be continous from foundation to two feet eight inches (2'8") above the roof surface, except the wall is permitted to terminate at the underside of the roof deck where the roof is of noncombustible construction and is properly firestopped at the wall or the roof sheathing or deck is constructed of approved noncombustible materials or approved fire-retardant treated wood and the wall is properly firestopped at the deck for a distance of four (4) feet on both sides of the wall and the roof covering has a minimum of a class C rating.

(38) Flameresistance. The property of materials or combinations of component materials which restricts the spread of flame as determined by the flameresistance tests specified in this code.

(39) Flame spread. The propagation of flame over a surface.

(40) Flame spread rating. The measurement of flame spread on the surface of materials or their assemblies as determined by tests conducted in compliance with recognized standards.

(41) Flammable. Subject to easy ignition and rapid flaming combustion.

(42) Flamespread rating. The term "flamespread rating" shall mean the classification of materials in accordance with the method of testing the surface burning characteristics of building materials as described in N.F.P.A. pamphlet 255, A.S.T.M. E-84, and U.L. 723, in which asbestos cement board rates zero (0) on the scale, and red oak lumber, one hundred (100).

(43) Furnace.

(44) Floor furnace. A self-contained, connected or vented furnace designed to be suspended from the floor of the space being heated taking air for combustion outside this heated space and with means for observing the flame and lighting the appliance from the space being heated.

(45) Forced warm air furnace. A furnace equipped with a blower to provide the primary means for circulating air.

(46) Warm air furnace. A solid, liquid, or gas-fired appliance for heating air to be distributed with or without duct systems to the space to be heated.

(47) Grade. A reference plane representing the average of finished ground level adjoining the building at all exterior walls.

(48) Grade hallway, grade lobby, grade passageway. An enclosed hallway or corridor that is an element of an exitway, terminating at a street or an open space or court communicating with a street.

(49) Grandstand. Any structure, except movable seating and sectional benches, intended primarily to support individuals for the purposes of assembly, but this definition shall not apply to the permanent seating in theatres, churches, auditoriums, and similar buildings.

(50) Habitable space. Space in a structure for living, sleeping, eating, or cooking. Bathrooms, toilet compartments, closets, halls, storage or utility space, and similar areas are not considered habitable space.

(51) Habitable space, minimum height. A clear height from finished floor to finished ceiling of not less than seven and one half (7 1/2) feet, except that in attics and top half stories the height shall be not less than seven and one third (7 1/3) feet over not less than one-third (1/3) the area of the floor when used for sleeping, study, or similar activity.

(52) Habitable space, minimum size. A space with a minimum dimension of seven (7) feet and a minimum area of seventy (70) square feet (70 sq. ft.) between enclosing walls or partitions, exclusive of closet and storage spaces.

(53) Halogenated extinguishing system. A system of pipes, nozzles, and an actuating mechanism and a container of halogenated agent under pressure.

(54) Health care facilities. A place, however named, which is established, offered, maintained, or operated for the provision of organizing inpatient or ambulatory medical, diagnostic, therapeutic, nursing, rehabilitative, or preventive care of persons with physical, mental, or other disabling conditions or diseases; including, but not limited to, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and intermediate care facilities.

(55) Heating appliance. Any device designed or constructed for the generation of heat from solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel or electricity.

(56) Recessed heater. A completely self-contained heating unit usually recessed in a wall and located entirely above the floor of the space it is intended to heat.

(57) Unit heater. A factory-assembled device designed to heat and circulate air. Essential components are a heat transfer element, housing, and fan with driving motor. Normally designed for free delivery of recirculated air.

(58) High rise. Is a structure more than six (6) stories or which is more than seventy-five (75) feet in height above the basement or ground.

(59) Hollow masonry unit. A masonry unit whose net cross-sectional area in any plane parallel to the bearing surface is less than seventy-five (75) per cent of its gross cross-sectional area measured in the same plane.

(60) Sheltered care facility for adults. A sheltered care facility for adults is any establishment, facility, place, building, agency, institution, corporation or part thereof, or a partnership whether public or private, whether organized for profit or not, used, operated, or engaged in providing lodging or board or housekeeping in a protective environment, to two (2) or more residents unrelated to the owner, excluding however, any privately operated establishment or facility licensed pursuant to chapter 17 of this title, and those facilities licensed by the department of mental health, retardation, and hospitals or any other state agency. A resident of a sheltered care facility for adults is an individual who is an adult not requiring medical or nursing care as provided in a health care facility and who has impairments as a result of age and/or physical or mental limitations requiring lodging or board or housekeeping in a protective environment but is capable of self preservation in emergency situations. The term sheltered care facility for adults may include rooming houses or hotels which provide the above mentioned services and whose residents meet the above mentioned criteria. The term shall not include health care facility, boarding homes, group homes or community residences as defined in this code.

(61) Horizontal exit. The term "horizontal exit" shall mean a doorway through or around a fire wall protected by a fire door, which door shall not be held in an open position by a device which will require more than one movement of normal strength to close. This term shall also include a bridge connecting two (2) buildings whose outside walls are of masonry construction.

(62) Hospital. A "hospital" is a health facility with an organized medical staff providing for twenty-four (24) hour inpatient services for the diagnosis, care and treatment of two (2) or more individuals unrelated by blood or marriage.

(63) Hotel. The term "hotel" shall mean a building or portion of a building used as a place where sleeping accommodations are furnished for hire or other consideration, with or without board, for twenty-one (21) or more guests or employees of the management, or in which eleven (11) or more sleeping rooms are maintained for such guests or employees. The term "hotel" shall include all clubs, schools, motels, dormitories, or other buildings which have similar sleeping accommodations, but shall not include apartment houses, hospitals, penal institutions, or buildings housing the insane.

(64) Industrial building. The term "industrial building" shall mean a building or structure used, or planned to be used for manufacturing primarily, or in which five (5) or more persons, at any one time, are engaged in performing work or labor in fabricating, assembling, or processing of products or materials. Included, among others, shall be factories, assembly plants, industrial laboratories, and all other industrial or manufacturing uses; excluding high hazard uses. This definition shall also apply to those industrial buildings the contents of which are classified as ordinary hazard or high hazard in accordance with section 23-28.17-7 regardless of the number of employees.

(65) Interior finish. (A) The term "interior finish" shall mean and include the material on walls, on partitions of fixed or movable type, on ceilings and on other exposed interior surfaces of buildings and any surfacing material including paint or wall coverings applied thereto. "Interior finish" includes materials affixed to the building structure as distinguished from decorations or furnishings which are not so affixed. Finish floors and floor coverings shall be considered a part of the interior finish.

(B) The classification of interior finish materials shall be that of the basic material used, without regard to subsequently applied paint or paper or materials of no greater fire hazard than paper, provided such finish does not exceed one-twenty-eighth (1/28) of an inch in thickness and is applied directly to a noncombustible base. Baseboards, chair-rails, moulding, trim around openings, and other interior trim not more than twelve (12) inches in width and not exceeding ten per cent (10%) of the exposed wall and ceiling surface of the area involved, may be Class A, B or C. Exposed portions of heavy timber members shall not be subject to interior finish regulations. Interior finish materials that give off smoke or gases more dense or more toxic than that given off by untreated wood under comparable exposure to heat or flame shall not be permitted.

(C) Interior finish materials shall be grouped in accordance with their flamespread characteristics as follows:

(i) "Class A" includes any material classified at twenty-five (25) or less flamespread rating as established by the test scale described in the definition of flamespread rating. Any element thereof when so tested shall not continue to propagate flame.

(ii) "Class B" includes any material classified at more than twenty-five (25) but not more than seventy-five (75) as established by the test scale as described in the definition of flamespread rating.

(iii) "Class C" includes any material classified at more than seventy-five (75) but not more than two hundred (200) as established by the test scale described in the definition of flamespread rating.

(66) Intermediate care facility. An intermediate care facility is a health care facility or an identifiable unit or distinct part of a facility which provides twenty-four (24) hour inpatient preventive and supportive nursing care to two (2) or more persons unrelated by blood or marriage whose condition is stabilized but requires continued nursing care and supervision.

(67) Intermediate care -- Class I. An intermediate care -- Class I is a physical structure properly equipped and employing sufficient appropriate personnel to render proper nursing care to patients with chronic conditions who do not require professional nursing service.

(68) Intermediate care -- Class II. An intermediate care -- Class II is a physical structure properly equipped and employing sufficient appropriate personnel capable of providing care for ambulatory persons requiring minimal or no specialized nursing service but in need of personal care and supervision.

(69) Labeled. The word "labeled" used in connection with equipment throughout these regulations refers to equipment bearing the inspection label of the nationally recognized testing agency.

(70) Limited area sprinkler system. An automatic sprinkler system consisting of not more than twenty (20) sprinklers for use in a room or space enclosed by construction assemblies as required by this code.

(71) Liquefied natural gas. A fluid in the liquid state composed predominantly of methane and which may contain minor quantities of ethane, propane, nitrogen or other components normally found in natural gas.

(72) Liquefied petroleum gas. The term "liquefied petroleum gas" and its symbol, "LP-Gas," as used in this code, shall mean and include any material which is composed predominantly of any of the following hydrocarbons, or mixtures of them; propane, propylene, butanes (normal butane or iso-butane), and butylenes.

(73) Listed. The word "listed" used throughout these regulations in connection with equipment refers to devices and materials that have been investigated by and meet the listing requirements of a nationally recognized testing agency. This equipment shall be identifiable by means of a label or other distinguishing marking specified in the current list published by the testing agency.

(74) Lobby. The enclosed vestibule between the principal entrance to the building and the doors to the main floor of the auditorium or assembly room of a theatre or place of assembly, or to the main floor corridor of a business building.

(75) Means of egress. A continuous and unobstructed path of travel from any point in a building or structure to a public space and consists of three (3) separate and distinct parts: (A) the exitway access; (B) the exitway; and (C) the exitway discharge. A means of egress comprises the vertical and horizontal means of travel and shall include intervening room spaces, doors, hallways, corridors, passageways, balconies, ramps, stairs, enclosures, lobbies, escalators, horizontal exits, courts, and yards.

(76) Mezzanine. An intermediate level between the floor and ceiling of any story, and covering not more than thirty-three per cent (33%) of the floor area of the room in which it is located.

(77) Mercantile buildings. The term "mercantile building" shall mean a building or structure used, or intended to be used for the display or sale of goods, wares, and merchandise and in which people congregate, but involving only storage of stocks and goods that are incidental to display and merchandising, including among others, retail stores, shops, sales rooms, and markets; excluding high hazard contents.

(78) Motels. See "hotels."

(79) Noncombustible. The term "noncombustible" as applied to building construction materials means material which, in the form in which it is used, falls in one of the following groups (A) through (C). No material shall be classed as noncombustible which is subject to increase in combustibility or flamespread rating beyond the limits established in this code, through the effects of age, moisture, or other atmospheric condition. Flamespread rating as used herein refers to ratings established by the test scale described in the definition of flamespread rating.

(A) Materials no part of which will ignite and burn when subjected to fire.

(B) Materials having a structural base of noncombustible material as defined in with a surfacing material not over one eighth (1/8) inch thick which has a flamespread rating not higher than fifty (50).

(C) Materials, other than as described in (A) and (B), having a surface flamespread rating not higher than twenty-five (25) without evidence of continued progressive combustion and of such composition that surfaces that would be exposed by cutting through the material in any way would not have a flamespread rating higher than twenty-five (25) without evidence of continued progressive combustion.

(80) Noncombustible material. The term "noncombustible material" when used in relation to interior finish on walls or on partitions of fixed or movable type or on other exposed interior wall surfaces and any surface material such as paint or other wall coverings shall mean material which in the form it is used falls into clause (a) or (b): (a) Materials no part of which will ignite or burn when subjected to fire; (b) Materials other than described in clause (a) having a maximum surface flamespread rating on both front and back faces not higher than Class A without evidence of continued progressive combustion and of such composition that surfaces exposed by cutting through the material in any way would not have a flamespread rating higher than Class A without evidence of continued progressive combustion.

The term "noncombustible material" when used in relation to acoustical ceiling tile or other interior finish on ceilings shall mean materials having a maximum surface flamespread rating on both front and back faces not higher than Class A without evidence of continued progressive combustion and of such composition that surfaces exposed by cutting through the material in any way would not have a flamespread rating higher than Class A without evidence of continued progressive combustion and when used as a part of a ceiling assembly the assembly shall be of a design tested and listed by underwriters' laboratories, inc., as having a fire resistance rating of not less than one (1) hour.

No material shall be classed as noncombustible which is subject to increase in combustibility or flamespread rating beyond the limits established in this code through the effects of age, moisture or other atmospheric condition. Flamespread rating, as used in this code refers to ratings obtained according to standard tunnel test methods of a nationally recognized laboratory in which asbestos cement board rates zero (0) on the scale and red oak lumber one hundred (100), in accordance with standards of N.F.P.A. 255, A.S.T.M.E.-84 and U.L. 723

The term "noncombustible" when used in relation to buildings in general and components of buildings shall mean that type of structure which is constructed completely of masonry, reinforced concrete, metal, or other materials having fire resistance rating of not less than two (2) hours. A building shall be termed "noncombustible" whether or not wood flooring has been laid over solid or slab masonry, and whether or not door and window assemblies are of wood.

(81) Skilled nursing facility. A health facility or unit thereof that provides twenty-four (24) hour inpatient skilled nursing, therapeutic or restorative care services for two (2) or more patients unrelated by blood or marriage with a rehabilitative potential or condition requiring skilled care.

(82) Occupancy. The term "occupancy" shall mean the use of space or rooms within a building by a person or group of persons.

(83) Place of assembly. The term "place of assembly" shall mean a room or space within a building in which the possible maximum occupancy is more than seventy-five (75) persons in existing buildings and in which more than fifty (50) persons assemble in new structures for religious, recreational, educational, political, fraternal, social or amusement purposes, or for the consumption of food or drink, except school classrooms, libraries, courtrooms, or any portion of a private dwelling. The room or space shall include adjacent rooms with intervening partitions, open or capable of being opened so as to allow for occupancy with a common purpose.

(84) Place of outdoor assembly. Premises used or intended to be used for public gatherings of two hundred (200) or more individuals in other than buildings.

(85) Plastic, combustible. A plastic material more than one twentieth (1/20) inches in thickness which burns at a rate of not more than two and one-half (2 1/2) inches per minute when subjected to ASTM D 635, standard method of test for flammability of self-supporting plastics.

(86) Posted sign. The tablet, card, or plate which defines the use, occupancy, fire grading and floor loads of each story, floor or parts thereof for which the building or part thereof has been approved.

(87) Proprietary system. A protective signaling system under constant supervision by competent and experienced personnel in a central supervision station at the property protected. The system includes equipment and other facilities required to permit the operators to test and operate the system and, upon receipt of a signal, to take such action as shall be required under the rules established for their guidance by the authority having jurisdiction.

(88) Protected corridor. A corridor or hallway in a building which extends from exit to exit and which has walls or partitions of materials and construction having a fire resistant rating of one hour or more.

(89) Public space. A legal open space on the premises, accessible to a public way or street, such as yards, courts, or open spaces permanently devoted to public use which abuts the premises.

(90) Pyroxylin plastic. Any nitro-cellulose product or compound soluble in a volatile, flammable liquid, including such substances as celluloid, pyroxylin, fiberloid, and other cellulose nitrates (other than nitrocellulose film) which are susceptible to explosion from rapid ignition of the bases emitted therefrom.

(91) Remote station system. An electrical alarm system capable of automatically notifying the public or private fire departments, or other approved constantly-attended location, when the system is activated.

(92) Rooming houses. The term "rooming house" shall mean any building which is used in whole or in part as a place where sleeping accommodations are furnished for hire or other consideration, with or without board, for not more than twenty (20) guests or employees of the management, or only ten (10) or less sleeping rooms are maintained for such guests or employees. This term shall include all tourist homes, lodging homes, convents, monasteries, and other nonprofit or charitable institutions which have accommodations as aforesaid, but shall not include private dwellings which accommodate not more than four (4) habitational guests or employees, or apartment houses, hotels, or convalescent homes, nursing home, home for the aged, or boarding home, as defined in this code.

(93) Riser. The vertical supply pipes in a sprinkler system or standpipe system.

(94) Schools. A school is a building used for the gathering of six (6) or more persons for the purpose of instruction. Exceptions: Child day care centers and proprietory schools for adults, which must conform to the provisions of the Rhode Island Fire Safety Code relating to the occupancies in which they are located.

(95) Smoke barrier. The term "smoke barrier" shall mean a partition with a fire-resistance rating of not less than one half (1/2) hour with any door openings therein equipped with a door so hung as to be reasonably smoke and gas tight when closed. Any such door shall be at least equivalent to a one and three-eighth (1 3/8) inch solid bonded core wood door. The door shall not be fastened in an open position by a device which will require more than one movement of normal strength to swing the door to a closed position. The barrier shall be located to provide ample area of refuge on each side of the partition of all occupants of the story secured by the barrier and shall extend through any dropped ceiling to the floor or roof above. The barrier may have wire-glass panels each not to exceed six (6) square feet.

(96) Sprinklered. The term "sprinklered" shall mean to be completely protected by an approved system of automatic sprinklers installed and maintained in accordance with N.F.P.A. standards.

(97) Storage building. The term "storage building" shall mean a building or structure used, or planned for use primarily for the storage of goods, wares, and merchandise, and in which less than five (5) persons are employed in the labor of manufacturing or processing. Included, among others, shall be warehouses, storehouses, and freight depots. Buildings in this heading storing high hazard contents shall be protected as described and classified in the section so headed.

(98) Stage. A partially enclosed portion of an assembly building which is designed or used for the presentation of plays, demonstrations, or other entertainment wherein scenery, drops, or other effects may be installed or used, and where the distance between the top of the proscenium opening and the ceiling of the stage is more than five (5) feet.

(99) Stairway. One or more flights of stairs, and the necessary landings and platforms connecting them, to form a continuous and uninterrupted passage from one floor to another. A flight of stairs, for the purposes of this article, must have at least three (3) risers.

(100) Standpipe. A wet or dry fire pipe line, extending from the lowest to the topmost story of a building or structure, equipped with a shut-off valve with hose outlets at every story.

(101) Story. The term "story" shall mean that portion of a building between a floor and the floor next above; and shall apply to the basement. The first story shall be that story which is of such height above ground level that it does not come within the definitions of a basement or shall be that story located immediately above a basement. The second story shall mean a story located immediately above the first story and upper stories shall be in numerical sequence accordingly. (See also "Mezzanine".)

(102) Story (First). The lowermost story entirely above the grade plane.

(103) Theatre. The term "theatre" shall mean a building or part of a building in which more than seventy-five (75) persons may assemble in existing buildings and in which fifty (50) or more persons may assemble in new building or presentation of a theatrical stage performance, or motion picture presentation.

(104) Vertical opening. An opening through a floor or roof.

(105) Winding stairs. The term "winding stairs" shall mean a flight of two (2) or more steps which, in changing direction, does so by benefit of variance in the width along each tread. This term shall not include such stairs as have treads of uniform width throughout and change direction by benefit of intermediate landings or platforms.

(106) Group home I. A "group home I" for children means a specialized facility for child care and treatment in a dwelling or apartment owned, rented or leased by a public child-placing agency, private licensed child, placing agency, a family and independent operator or private or public organization which receives no more than eight (8) children for care both day and night. A "group home I" shall be subject to the same fire and health regulations which apply to "homes for the boarding of children" licensed by the state department for children and their families with a maximum total of eight (8) children as defined in chapter 23-28.13, sections 23-28.13-27 to 23-28.13-33, inclusive; provided however, that, the provisions of section 23-28.30-13 shall also be applicable.

SECTION 2. Section 23-28.13-34 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-28.13 entitled "Boarding Homes" is hereby amended to read as follows:

{DEL 23-28.13-34. Installation of smoke detectors in foster care units. DEL} {ADD 23-28.13-34. Installation of smoke detectors in foster care units and in group care units. -- ADD} (a) All {ADD group care ADD} residential units in which a {DEL foster DEL} child is placed by the department of children, youth and families or by any private agency, society, or institution licensed to place such children shall be equipped with {DEL either a battery pack or DEL} {ADD a ADD} hard wire smoke detector system {ADD in accordance with the provisions of section 23-28.34-1 through 23-28.34-5, inclusive. All of the residential units in which said children are placed shall be equipped with a hard wire smoke detector system ADD} listed and/or approved by underwriters factory mutual or some other nationally recognized testing laboratory approved by the state fire marshal, except {ADD any camp or tourist camp as defined in section 44-18-7(k). ADD} {DEL that the systems shall not be required in buildings or structures subject to the provisions of the general laws relative to the installations of automatic sprinkler systems and/or automatic fire warning systems connected thereto. DEL} Each battery pack or hard wire smoke detector system shall be inspected by the department of children, youth and families at least once each year. {ADD Installation of hard wire smoke detectors shall be completed on or before January 1, 1995, for those group care residential units not currently in compliance with this act. ADD}

(b) {ADD All foster care units in which a foster child is placed by the department of children, youth and families or any private agency, society or institution licensed to place such children shall be equipped with either a battery pack or hard wire smoke detector system. All other provisions of this section shall otherwise apply to foster homes. ADD}

{ADD (c) ADD} In addition to the locations specified under section 23-28.35-2, approved smoke detectors required by this section shall be located in all common hallways. Any violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars ($100.) for each offense.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.