Rhode Island Code of Regulations
Title 510 - Building Code Commission
Chapter 00 - N/A
Subchapter 00 - N/A
Part 20 - RISRC-1 State Rehabilitation Building and Fire Code for Existing Structures
Section 510-RICR-00-00-20.12 - Chapter 12: Construction Safeguards

1201.0 General

1201.1 Scope: The provisions of the chapter shall govern safety during construction which is under the jurisdiction of this Code and the protection of adjacent public and private properties. B

1201.2 Storage and placement: Construction equipment and materials shall be stored and placed so as not to endanger the public, the workers or adjoining property for the duration of the construction project. B

1201.3 Alterations, repairs and additions: Required exits, existing structural elements, fire protection devices and sanitary safeguards shall be maintained at all times during alterations, repairs or additions to any building or structure. B

Exceptions:

1201.4 Manner of removal: Waste materials shall be removed in a manner which prevents injury or damage to persons, adjoining properties and public rights-of-way. B

1201.5 Facilities required: Sanitary facilities shall be provided during construction or demolition activities in accordance with the International Plumbing Code. B

1201.6 Protection of pedestrians: Pedestrians shall be protected during construction and demolition activities as required by 1201.6.1 through 1201.6.7 and Table 1201.6. Signs shall be provided to direct pedestrian traffic. B

1202.0 Protection of Adjoining Property

1202.1 Protection required: Adjoining public and private property shall be protected from damage during construction and demolition work. Protection must be provided for footings, foundations, party walls, chimneys, skylights and roofs. Provisions shall be made to control water run-off and erosion during construction or demolition activities. The person making or causing an excavation to be made shall provide written notice to the owners of adjoining buildings advising them that the excavation is to be made and that the adjoining buildings should be protected. Said notification shall be delivered not less than 10 days prior to the scheduled starting date of the excavations. B

1203.0 Temporary Use of Streets, Alleys and Public Property

1203.1 Storage and handling of materials: The temporary use of streets or public property for the storage of handling of materials or of equipment required for construction or demolition and the protection provided to the public shall comply with the provisions of this chapter at the direction and to the satisfaction of the appropriate authority. B

1203.2 Obstructions: Construction materials and equipment shall not be placed or stored so as to obstruct access to fire hydrants, standpipes, fire or police alarm boxes, catch basins or manholes, nor shall such material or equipment be located within 20 feet (6.1 m) of a street intersection, or placed so as to obstruct normal observations of traffic signals or to hinder the use of public transit loading platforms. B

1203.3 Utility fixtures: Building materials, fences, sheds or any obstruction of any kind shall not be placed so as to obstruct free approach to any fire hydrant, fire department connection, utility pole, manhole, fire alarm box, or catch basin, or so as to interfere with the passage of water in the gutter. Protection against damage shall be provided to such utility fixtures during the progress of the work, but sight of them shall not be obstructed. B

1204.0 Fire Extinguishers

1204.1 Where required: All structures under construction, alteration or demolition shall be provided with not less than one approved portable fire extinguisher at each stairway of all floor levels where combustible materials have accumulated. An approved portable fire extinguisher shall be provided in every storage and construction shed. The code official is authorized to require additional approved portable fire extinguishers where special hazards exist, such as flammable or combustible liquid storage hazards. Fire extinguishers shall comply with the State Fire Code. F

1204.2 Fire hazards: The provisions of this code and of the State Fire Code shall be strictly observed to safeguard against all fire hazards attendant upon construction operations. F

1205.0 Exits

1205.1 Stairways required: Where an existing building exceeding 50 feet (15240 mm) in height is altered, at least one temporary lighted stairway shall be provided unless one or more of the permanent stairways are available for egress as the construction progresses. F

1205.2 Maintenance of exits: Required exits shall be maintained at all times during alterations and additions to any building. F

1206.0 Standpipes System

1206.1 Where required: Buildings required to have a standpipe system in accordance with this code shall be provided with not less than one standpipe for use during construction. Such standpipes shall be installed where the progress of construction is more than 40 feet (12192 mm) in height above the lowest level of fire department access. Such standpipes shall be provided with fire department hose connections at accessible locations adjacent to usable stairs. Such standpipes shall be extended as construction progresses to within one floor of the highest point of construction having secured decking or flooring. F

1206.2 Buildings being demolished: Where a building or portion of a building is being demolished and a standpipe is existing within such a building, such standpipe shall be maintained in an operable condition so as to be available for use by the fire department. Such standpipe shall be demolished with the building but shall not be demolished more than one floor below the floor being demolished. F

1206.3 Detailed requirements: Standpipes shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 9 of the International Building Code. F

Exception: Standpipes shall be either temporary or permanent in nature, and with or without a water supply, provided that such standpipes conform to the requirements of the Building Code as to capacity, outlets, and materials.

1206.4 Water supply: Water supply for fire protection, either temporary or permanent shall be made available as soon as combustible material accumulates. F

1207.0 Automatic Sprinkler System

1207.1 Completion before occupancy: In portions of a building where an automatic sprinkler system is required by this Part, it shall be unlawful to occupy those portions of the building until the automatic sprinkler system installation has been tested, approved, and placed into service. F

1207.2 Operation of valves: Operation of sprinkler control valves shall be permitted only by properly authorized personnel and shall be accompanied by notification of duly designated parties. When the sprinkler protection is being regularly turned off and on to facilitate connection of newly completed segments, the sprinkler control valves shall be checked at the end of each work period to ascertain that protection is in service. F

1208.0 Additional Fire Protection Safeguards:

1208.1 Additional fire protection safeguards, as outlined in Chapter 29 of the NFPA Fire Prevention Code 1, 2000 Edition, shall be utilized during construction. F

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.