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-00-00-20.8 - Chapter 8: Additions

Universal Citation: 510 RI Code of Rules 00 00 20.8

Current through September 18, 2024

20.8.1

801.0 General Requirements

801.1 An addition to a building or structure is defined as an increase in building area, aggregate floor area, height or number of stories of a structure. All additions shall comply with other sections of this Code, Mechanical Code, Plumbing Code, Fire Code, Electrical Code, Boiler Safety Code, Energy Code, Elevator Code, and Accessibility Code, without requiring the existing building or structure to comply with any requirements of those codes or of this Code. BF

801.2 An addition shall not create or extend any non-conformity in the existing building to which the addition is constructed with regard to accessibility, structural strength, fire safety, means of egress, or the capacity of mechanical, plumbing or electrical systems. BF

801.3 Any repair, renovation, alteration or reconstruction work within an existing building to which an addition is being made shall comply with the requirements of Chapters 3, 4, 5 and 6. BF

20.8.2

802.0 eights and Areas

802.1 No addition shall increase the height or area of an existing building beyond that permitted under the applicable provisions of Chapter 5 of the Building Code for new buildings unless fire separation as required in the Building Code is provided. B

Exception: Infilling of floor openings, non-occupiable appendages such as elevator and exit stair shafts, and the addition of mezzanines and equipment penthouses shall be permitted beyond that permitted by the Building Code.

20.8.3

803.0 Fire Protection Systems

803.1 Existing compartment areas increased by the addition shall be protected with an approved automatic sprinkler system. F
803.1.1 All additions shall meet the automatic sprinkler system requirements of NFPA 101, Life Safety Code for new construction. F

803.1.2 All additions shall have the required fire alarm system installed. Use 602.6 to identify the required fire alarm system for the various occupancy classifications. F

803.1.3 Whenever an addition constitutes an increase in area that is equal to the square footage of the original building, the fire alarm system for the addition shall be extended throughout the existing building, unless the addition is separated from the remainder of the building with fire barrier walls or horizontal assemblies or both having a minimum fire-resistance rating of one hour. F

20.8.4

804.0 Structural

804.1 Compliance with the Building Code: Additions to existing buildings or structures are new construction and shall comply with the Building Code. B

804.2 Additional gravity loads: Existing structural elements supporting any additional gravity loads as a result of additions shall comply with 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 where the existing building and the addition comply with the conventional fight-frame construction methods of the Building Code.

804.3 Lateral force resisting system: The lateral force resisting system of existing buildings to which additions are made shall comply with 804.3.1, 804.3.2 and 804.3.3. B

Exceptions:

1. In Type V construction, Group R occupancies where the lateral force story shear in any story is not increased by more than ten (10%) percent.

2. Buildings of Group R occupancy with no more than 5 dwelling units or guestrooms used solely for residential purposes where the existing building and the addition comply with the conventional light-frame construction methods of the Building Code.

3. Additions where the lateral force story shear in any story is not increased by more than five (5%) percent.

804.3.1 Vertical addition: Any element of the lateral force resisting system of an existing building subjected to an increase in vertical or lateral loads from the vertical addition shall comply with the lateral load provisions of the Building Code. B

804.3.2 Horizontal addition: Where horizontal additions are structurally connected to an existing structure, all lateral force resisting elements of the existing structure affected by such addition shall comply with the lateral load provisions of the Building Code. Lateral loads imposed on the elements of the existing structure and the addition shall be determined by a relative stiffness analysis of the combined structure including torsional effects. B

804.3.3 Voluntary addition of structural elements to improve lateral force resisting system: Voluntary addition of structural elements to improve the lateral force resisting system of a building shall comply with 602.9.6. B

804.4 Snow drift loads: Any structural element of an existing building subjected to additional loads from the effects of snow drift as a result of an addition shall comply with 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 where the existing building and the addition comply with the conventional light-frame construction methods of the Building Code.

804.5 Flood hazard areas: In flood hazard areas:
1. For horizontal additions that are structurally interconnected to the existing building:
1.1 If the addition and all other proposed work, when combined, constitute substantial improvement, the existing building and the addition shall comply with the flood hazard provisions of the Building Code.

1.2 If the addition constitutes substantial improvement, the existing building and the addition shall comply with the flood hazard provisions of the Building Code. B

2. For horizontal additions that are not structurally interconnected to the existing building:
2.1 The addition shall comply with the flood hazard provisions of the Building Code.

2.2 If the addition and all other proposed work, when combined, constitute substantial improvement, the existing building and the addition shall comply with the flood hazard provisions of the Building Code. B

3. For vertical additions and all other proposed work, when combined, that constitute substantial improvement, the existing building shall comply with the flood hazard provisions of the Building Code. B

4. For a new, replacement, raised or extended foundation, if the foundation work and all other proposed work, when combined, constitute substantial improvement, the existing building shall comply with the flood hazard provisions of the Building Code. B

20.8.5

805.0 Accessibility

805.1 Accessibility requirements: Additions shall comply with Chapter 10. B

20.8.6

806.0 Energy Conservation

806.1 Additions to existing buildings or structures may be made to such buildings or structures without making the entire building or structure comply with the requirements of the Energy Code. The addition shall conform to the requirements of the Energy Code as they relate to new construction only, provided that the allowable amount of glass in the addition shall be based on the area of the entire building. B

20.8.7

807.0 Plumbing

807.1 In areas where public sanitary sewers are not available, existing structures that are being enlarged and discharge liquid wastes containing grease, flammable wastes, sand, solids, and other ingredients harmful to the building drainage system, shall comply with Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) regulations. 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.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Rhode Island may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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