RISBC-1 Rhode Island Building Code

Regulation Authority:

R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-27.3-100.1.5
R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-27.3-109.1

Purpose and Reason:

The Building Code Standards Committee (BCSC) is proposing amendments to the Rhode Island Building Code, which is the primary building code that applies to all buildings that are not a one or two-family residences. The current version of this regulation adopted the International Code Council’s (ICC) International Building Code (IBC), 2018 version, with RI specific amendments. Currently, the BCSC has proposed adopting the 2021 version of the IBC. The proposed amendments to the IBC 2021 model code are for consistency with the other building code regulations in Title 510 and the Fire Safety Codes in Title 450, compliance with RI statutes, and ensure that the model codes align with the needs of this state.

Additionally, all the building code regulations simultaneously being amended have been edited for clarity and internal consistency of formatting and style, and to be easily read with the other building code regulations and the model codes that these regulations adopt. Formatting changes include: listing every model code chapter and stating whether each chapter is adopted, adopted with changes or deleted; leading the all changes with the model code section number for quick reference; and focusing on model code numbering to simplify citation and avoid confusion. 

§§ 1.1 through 1.2 – Updated and simplified the provisions in these sections. 

Chapter 1 contains the administrative provisions of IBC 2021, which are amended for consistency with R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 23-27.3 and other RI building codes within Title 510 and the Rhode Island Fire Safety Codes in RICR Title 450. 

Chapter 2 of IBC 2021 is adopted with no changes. The state specific amendments to the definitions have been deleted because they no longer necessary as those terms are defined in statute (commissioner and committee) or are now included in the IBC 2021 definitions (nightclub). No change to status quo. 

Chapter 3 of IBC 2021 is adopted with no changes. The RI amendments to Chapter 3 have been deleted because these groups are now sufficiently defined in IBC 2021. No change to status quo. 

Chapter 4 of IBC 2021 is adopted with changes. 

The state specific amendments to section 401 (which added 2 new paragraphs to the model code) have been deleted because they are unnecessary, additional references to the Fire Safety Code. No change to status quo. 

The state specific amendments adding section 429 regarding manufactured home is retained with a cross reference update to SBC2.

The state specific amendments adding section 430 regarding modular construction is updated to conform to recent changes per 2024 ch. 27 & 28 enacted 5/28/24, which repealed the IIBC compact, such that inspection, verification and approval of modular construction is now conducted in accordance with procedures established by the State Building Commissioner.

Chapters 5, 6, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20, 22, 24, 25, 26, 32,  of IBC 2021 are adopted with no changes. No change to the status quo. 

Chapter 7 of IBC 2021 is adopted with no changes. It was deleted/reserved in error in the current version of the regulation.

Chapter 9 of IBC 2021 is adopted with minimal RI amendments for consistency with the State Fire Safety Code, which does not adopt the ICC codes referenced in IBC 2021. Some of the prior RI amendments have been deleted because that content is now included in SBC 2021. No change to status quo.

Chapter 10 of IBC 2021 is adopted with no changes. The prior RI amendment is no longer necessary because the language in IBC 2021 is now consistent with the provisions of the RI Fire Safety Code. No change to status quo. 

Chapter 11 of IBC 2021 is adopted with no changes. The prior RI amendments are no longer necessary because these provisions are now included in IBC 2021. No change to status quo. 

Chapter 12 of IBC 2021 is adopted with no changes. No change to status quo. 

Chapter 13 of IBC 2021 is adopted with no changes. The prior RI amendments were not substantive and no longer required due to the statutory requirement to adopt the unamended IECC. No change to status quo. 

Chapters 14 and 15 of IBC 2021 are adopted with no changes. The prior RI amendments are no longer necessary because these provisions are included in IBC 2021. No change to status quo. 

Chapter 16 of IBC 2021 is adopted with changes. The only RI amendments being retained are the RI specific snow and wind load and frost depth tables, which have been updated and relocated to the end of the Regulation in § 1.4. The rest of the RI amendments are being deleted which means the provisions of IBC 2021 will apply. The information in the original chart in Risk Category III is now separated into risk category III and Iv with the wind speeds being the same, just in separate columns. The frost depth varied across the state with the shallowest being 2’6” in New Shoreham to the deepest in some north/western municipalities being 4’6”. Except for New Shoreham, which is unchanged, the minimum frost depth for all RI municipalities is proposed to be set at 4’.  The seismic coefficients were from the former chart were deleted because they are now found elsewhere in the model code. No change from status quo.

Chapter 18 of IBC 2021 is adopted with minimal changes necessary for consistency with the amendments to Chapter 16 and to reference to the RI specific frost depth chart, now included in § 1.5. No change to status quo. 

Chapters 21 is adopted with no changes. Chapter 21 was mistakenly reserved in the prior regulation. That error has been fixed with these amendments. No change to the status quo.

Chapter 23 is adopted with a reduction of the RI specific amendments related to the use of Native Lumber. The deleted provisions have been relocated to 510-RICR-00-00-18, Use of Native Lumber. Amendments to that regulation are being promulgated simultaneously with this regulation. No change to status quo, just a reorganization of the provisions and updated cross reference to Part 18. 

Chapter 27 of IBC 2021 is deleted. All prior RI amendments are also deleted as they are covered by the Electrical Code, 510-RICR-00-00-5. No change to status quo. 

Chapter 28 of IBC 2021 is deleted. All prior RI amendments are also deleted as they are covered by the Mechanical Code, 510-RICR-00-00-4 and other provisions referenced in this updated amendment. No change to status quo. 

Chapter 29 of IBC 2021 is deleted. All prior RI amendments are also deleted as they are covered by the Plumbing Code, 510-RICR-00-00-3. No change to status quo. 

Chapter 30 of IBC 2021 is adopted with minimal changes necessary to refer to the regulation of Elevators by the Department of Labor and Training. The RI amendment for 3001.1.1 was deleted because the provision is now included in IBC 2021. No change to status quo. 

Chapter 31 is adopted with no changes. The prior RI amendments have been deleted. The general provision, definition of membrane-covered cable structure and provisions for fabric structures are now included in IBC 2021 and are no longer needed as state specific amendments. The BCSC has deleted the Temporary Structures permitting requirement in the RI amendments to IBC section 3103. Deleting the RI amendment and following the IBC provisions for temporary structure permitting Is an improvement/benefit as temporary structures are specifically identified and defined as opposed to confusing/outdated classifications in the RI amendment. . ..

Chapter 33 is adopted with no changes. The prior RI amendments are no longer necessary as those terms are now defined in SBC 2021. No change to status quo. 

Chapter 34 is adopted with no changes. The content of Chapter 34 was relocated to a new model code in 2012. It now only contains a 1 sentence cross reference, therefore, the RI amendments to Chapter 34 are no longer necessary and have been deleted. The IEBC is better organized and easier to navigate while being very similar to the current building components in the Rehabilitation Code. This provides another option for renovations to existing buildings.

Chapter 35 is adopted with the existing general statement regarding use of these referenced standards. No change to status quo. 

IBC 2021 requires appendices to be specifically adopted or deleted. Minor changes were made after reviewing the appendices to IBC 2021. No change to status quo. 

§ 1.4 – An updated Snow Load, Wind Speed and Frost Depth Table has been added at the end of the regulation, replacing the tables deleted in Chapter 16. We replaced the color coding with symbols so the chart remains useful if printed in black and white. There is no change to the status quo – chart has been relocated and visually improved.