If you are building a home, renovating an existing building, or creating a new commercial park — odds are you’ve met State Fire Marshall Irving Owens. Owens, who has held the position for six years, is in charge of inspections – inspections of dwellings, smoke detectors, heating systems, fuel oil installation systems, emergency lighting, and fire alarm systems.
Add to that boarding homes, child care centers, apartment houses, industrial mercantile businesses and tents, grandstands, explosive shows, air handling systems, and community residences.
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Add to that the inspection of model rocket engines used at schools, horse stables, and any place that uses spray applications, including auto garages, and some jewelry manufacturing plants.
”We basically have to inspect every kind of facility,” Owens said. “And those are just the inspections.”
The Rhode Island State Fire Code has been in effect since the 1930s, when it was created as a combination building and fire code. In 1976, the two were split.
The split came two years after the fire marshal’s department was moved from the Rhode Island State Police to the executive branch of government – where a new set of state laws were created. In 1997 those laws were again amended when the state adopted the National Fire Codes standards.
“We enhance what we already had by using nationally recognized standards,” Owens said. “We solidified it even more by adopting the entire package, not just individual regulations.”
The codes are designed to create minimum requirements for fire safety in new and existing buildings and facilities, except in private dwelling occupied by one, two, or three family homes.
“There is one code used throughout the entire state of Rhode Island but the code actually kicks in when the building has four dwellings or more,” Owens said. “It only covers one, two, and three family homes in case of a sale. When you are selling your home, a fire inspector, by law, must inspect for smoke detectors.”
Currently Owens said there are more than 200 people in cities and towns that are certified to do inspections.
John Hoyle, the East Greenwich building inspector, said that like the fire codes, in Rhode Island there are also a set of state building codes, which each community building inspector is required to follow. The codes are used as a benchmark for developers, builders and homeowners.
”We have 39 communities in Rhode Island and each community has its own building official,” he said. “We all have to adhere to the same code.”
Similar to the state fire codes, the building codes are based on a national standard set by federal codes, and don’t apply to one and two family dwellings.
But in contrast to the fire codes, Hoyle said subtle changes have made to the building codes.
“There are requirements in the national code that didn’t hold any pertinence in a state like Rhode Island,” he said. “The changes were made to fit this area.”
For example, Hoyle said, structures built in Rhode Island need to be able to withstand a drastic change in temperature, and the possibility of heavy snow – where structures in Florida don’t have to deal with those conditions. In the Sunshine State, he said, structures need to be constructed to withstand elements like extreme winds, something that isn’t necessarily as great a concern in Rhode Island.
When it comes to one and two family homes, Hoyle said, the state has its own set of building codes.
”In this instance, Rhode Island general law is very specific to Rhode Island,” he said. “Even if you looked at a state as close as Massachusetts you will see vast difference.”
But Hoyle said individual municipalities do have some say in building in their towns.
”Each town has its own zoning,” he said. “It’s a little more specific, and allows the town some regulatory measures. It’s basically a way of saying what you can and cannot do.”
For example, Hoyle said that in East Greenwich the town has designated a small historical district, in which there are certain restrictions on building. He said that was done to try and maintain the historical value and character of the area.
In addition, the town can also impose additional regulations on fire codes. Hoyle said the creation of a new housing complex for the elderly is a good example.
”Because of the nature of the building it does require a review from the state fire marshal,” he said. “That review covers things like where to put smoke detectors and fire escapes. But the town also needs to go in and see where the facility needs to have pavement so the fire trucks can reach, and where (water) connections need to be made.”
After all of those things are done, the entire plan goes to the building official for approval.
If a building or structure should fail an inspection, there is an appeal process. Still, Owens said, failing and fire inspection, and not fixing the problem can result in anything from a fine to jail time.
”You have to know a lot about everything to do this job,” Owens said.
