Welcome
Greetings and welcome to the Rhode Island Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal & Review website.
Here's what you'll find on the Fire Safety Code Board website:
- Learn about the Fire Safety Code
- Meet the Fire Safety Code Board Commissioners and staff
- Check our "Meeting Schedule" page for upcoming appeal hearings and meetings
- View the Rules and Regulations (RICR)
- View the Rhode Island fire statutes (General Laws)
- Link to the Rehabilitation Building and Fire Code for Existing Buildings & Structures site (Rehab Code / SRC-1)
- Interpretations - current formal interpretations and blanket variances can be found here while requests for specific code sections can be found here using the "Code Interpretation Requests" tab.
- Decisions - prior decisions issued by the Board
- >>>> Fire Safety Related Product Recalls
- Board contact information
We welcome the opportunity to provide you with this information and will continue to update this site as the need arises.
If you should have any comments, questions, complaints or require additional information or assistance, please submit your request to us via the "Contact Us" links.
W. Keith Burlingame, Esq.
Executive Director
Fire Safety Code General Information
Fire Safety Public Education
Read about short-term rental property safety concerns and issues.
General information on home fire safety public information
E-Bike fire safety
Click here to learn more.
VIDEO: Fire Safety Considerations for E-Bikes and E-Scooters
Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Tips
Read about short-term rental property safety concerns and issues.
General information on home fire safety public information
E-Bike fire safety
Click here to learn more.
VIDEO: Fire Safety Considerations for E-Bikes and E-Scooters
Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Tips
"SPECIAL SIGNAL"
NFPA 3000 - Active Shooter / Hostile Environment Response (ASHER) Fact Sheet - click here
DID YOU KNOW?
The Quonset hut was developed in 1941 at the Davisville Naval Construction Battalion (Seabee) Center located at Quonset Point, RI.
The halligan bar was developed in 1948 by FDNY First Deputy Chief Hugh Halligan and first utilized extensively by the Boston, MA fire department.
The fire hydrant was originally called a fireplug and was manually inserted into an underground wooden water main when needed.
NFPA 3000 - Active Shooter / Hostile Environment Response (ASHER) Fact Sheet - click here
DID YOU KNOW?
The Quonset hut was developed in 1941 at the Davisville Naval Construction Battalion (Seabee) Center located at Quonset Point, RI.
The halligan bar was developed in 1948 by FDNY First Deputy Chief Hugh Halligan and first utilized extensively by the Boston, MA fire department.
The fire hydrant was originally called a fireplug and was manually inserted into an underground wooden water main when needed.
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) Directory
Contact Information
- City / Town Municipal Government
Contact Information
- City / Town Municipal Government
Key Dates in Fire Disaster History
Learn more here about major loss-of-life fires in the United States.
FYI: Fire Prevention Week is held in October of each year during the week that the 9th falls as a commemorative recognition or the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
Learn more here about major loss-of-life fires in the United States.
FYI: Fire Prevention Week is held in October of each year during the week that the 9th falls as a commemorative recognition or the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
Variances & Appeals
EFFECTIVE January 1, 2024: The Board has converted to a totally digital on-line appeal application and payment process -- in-person and mail-in applications will no longer be accepted.
This new process can be used to file any appeal, including:
- Notices of Violation / Inspection Reports
- Plan Review Denials and/or Rejections
- Abatement Proceedings Reviews
- License/Permit Disciplinary Actions Taken by the OSFM
- Municipal Ordinance Approvals
- Requests for Product, Process or System Equivalency
- Any Other Miscellaneous Relief Requested from the Board
Helpful information on how to file an appeal can be found here.
EFFECTIVE January 1, 2024: The Board has converted to a totally digital on-line appeal application and payment process -- in-person and mail-in applications will no longer be accepted.
This new process can be used to file any appeal, including:
- Notices of Violation / Inspection Reports
- Plan Review Denials and/or Rejections
- Abatement Proceedings Reviews
- License/Permit Disciplinary Actions Taken by the OSFM
- Municipal Ordinance Approvals
- Requests for Product, Process or System Equivalency
- Any Other Miscellaneous Relief Requested from the Board
Helpful information on how to file an appeal can be found here.
Proposed Regulatory Rulemaking
The Board is currently reviewing the following codes for adoption as part of the State Fire Safety Code:
- NFPA 1, Fire Code, 2021 edition
- NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, 2022 edition
- NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, 2021 edition
Important dates, comment periods and other relevant information may be accessed here.
The Board is currently reviewing the following codes for adoption as part of the State Fire Safety Code:
- NFPA 1, Fire Code, 2021 edition
- NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, 2022 edition
- NFPA 101, Life Safety Code, 2021 edition
Important dates, comment periods and other relevant information may be accessed here.
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes and standard
The National Fire Protection Association [NFPA] website is also a source of valuable fire safety information.
Additionally, all NFPA codes and standards can be purchased online from the NFPA Online Catalog or by telephone at 800-344-3555.
The National Fire Protection Association [NFPA] website is also a source of valuable fire safety information.
Additionally, all NFPA codes and standards can be purchased online from the NFPA Online Catalog or by telephone at 800-344-3555.
RI State Fire Marshals Office
Addition information and resources regarding fire safety issues in Rhode Island can be found on the RI State Fire Marshals Office website or by telephone at 401-889-5555.
Information regarding the inspection process for various occupancy types can be viewed here.
ARSON TIPLINE: 401-383-7723
Addition information and resources regarding fire safety issues in Rhode Island can be found on the RI State Fire Marshals Office website or by telephone at 401-889-5555.
Information regarding the inspection process for various occupancy types can be viewed here.
ARSON TIPLINE: 401-383-7723
Rhode Island Fire Laws and Rules Annotated
A printed version of the current Rhode Island Fire Laws and Rules Annotated can be purchased from LexisNexis online here or by telephone at 877-461-8801. This publication contains all fire-related Rhode Island statutes, a copy of all rules & regulations, a complete copy of the Rehabilitation Building and Fire Code for Existing Buildings and Structures and current Blanket Variances & Formal Interpretations.
A printed version of the current Rhode Island Fire Laws and Rules Annotated can be purchased from LexisNexis online here or by telephone at 877-461-8801. This publication contains all fire-related Rhode Island statutes, a copy of all rules & regulations, a complete copy of the Rehabilitation Building and Fire Code for Existing Buildings and Structures and current Blanket Variances & Formal Interpretations.
Home Page Photograph
Rhode Island State Fire Academy - Exeter, RI
Operated by the Office of the State Fire Marshal, among the many missions and services provided by the Fire Academy is the training and certification of fire marshals throughout the state in the development, application and enforcement of the State Fire Safety Code.