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-00-00-20.9 - Chapter 9: Historical Buildings

Current through June 14, 2024
20.9.1
901.0
General
901.1 Historical buildings shall comply with
							the provisions of this Chapter, or with the provisions of Chapters 3, 4, 5, 6
							and 7, relating to their repair, renovation, alteration, reconstruction,
							movement and change of occupancy. Where the owner of a historical building
							wishes to use an alternative to comply with the intent of specific provisions
							of this code, a written request shall be submitted to the authority having
							jurisdiction in accordance 901.2. BO
901.1.1
							Definition: Historical building (BFO) Any building or structure that:
a. is listed in the Rhode Island Register or
							National Register of Historical Places either individually or as a contributing
							building to a historical district; or
b. has been issued a Determination of
							Eligibility by the Keeper of the National Register of Historical Places;
							or
c. has been designated by a city
							or town ordinance pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 45-24.1 and has been
							certified by the Executive Director of the RIHPHC as contributing to the
							heritage of the community; or
d.
							the State Historic Preservation Officer (hereinafter the SHPO), pursuant to the
							request of the owner, has determined as eligible to be listed on the National
							Register of Historical Places either individually or as a contributing building
							to a historical district.
901.1.2 Owner's responsibility: In order to
							utilize the provisions of this Chapter, the building owner, or authorized
							representative, shall contact the Rhode Island Historical Preservation and
							Heritage Commission (hereinafter the RIHPHC) for written verification that the
							subject building qualifies as an Historical Building as defined in 901.1.1. The
							building owner shall further equip the subject building with an approved fire
							alarm system installed in accordance with the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws
							Chapter 23-28.25, as amended. BFO
901.1.3 Modifications to historical
							buildings: This chapter shall only apply to the historically significant
							spaces, features, or fabric of the building as certified by the Executive
							Director of the RIHPHC. In order to utilize the provisions of this Chapter, the
							building owner shall maintain the historical interior of the subject building
							unless such proposed modifications are determined to be incidental by the
							Executive Director. The Executive Director shall so advise the building and
							fire officials, in writing, prior to the commencement of the plan review.
							BFO
901.1.4 Appeals: A building
							owner, utilizing the provisions of this chapter, shall notify Executive
							Director of the RIHPHC upon the filing of an appeal of any of the provisions of
							this Chapter with the Joint Committee on the Rehabilitation Building and Fire
							Code for Existing Buildings and Structures. BF
901.2 Alternatives: Where the owner of a
							historical building wishes to use an alternative to comply with the intent of
							the specific provisions of this Code, a written request shall be submitted to
							the authority having jurisdiction. Such request shall identify all
							non-conformities with the requirements of this Code and shall include: a
							statement of the requirements of this Code from which an alternative is sought,
							a statement of the manner in which strict compliance with the provisions of
							this Code would result in practical difficulties or would detract from the
							historical character of the building and a statement of feasible alternatives
							to the requirements of this Code that would adequately protect the health,
							safety, and welfare of the intended occupants and of the public generally. If
							in the opinion of the local building or fire official insufficient information
							has been provided in the request, the officials shall have the authority to
							require the submission of additional information, including an evaluation
							prepared by a registered architect, licensed engineer, or fire protection
							engineer for the appropriate subject matter. A copy of the request shall be
							submitted to the Executive Director of the RIHPHC including any additional
							information required by the authority having jurisdiction. In acting on the
							request, the authority having jurisdiction shall consider comments, if any,
							from the RIHPHC. BFO
901.3
							Accessibility requirements: The accessibility requirements contained in Chapter
							10 shall apply to historical buildings undergoing renovations, alterations,
							reconstruction or a change of occupancy. If the historical features or
							historical character of the building is adversely affected, and the building is
							required to comply with ADAAG by the provisions of Chapter 10, then
							substantially equivalent alternative provisions of accessibility shall be
							permitted, in accordance with Chapter 10. B
901.4 Museums: When a historical building is
							used as a museum, the building shall be classified as use Group B (Business)
							provided that the building complies with the following conditions:
1. A limit on occupancy, not to exceed 50, is
							set by the authority having jurisdiction based on egress capacity and travel
							distance using the following parameters: F
a.
							For buildings with a single means of egress, occupancy shall be limited to the
							first and second floors, and the travel distance shall not exceed 75 feet.
							F
b. Two means of egress shall be
							required from all floors above the second floor where occupancy is permitted.
							F
2. There is
							supervision by a guide or other employee or volunteer knowledgeable in the
							emergency exiting procedures during all times that the building is occupied by
							visitors. F
901.5 Flood
							hazard areas: For historical buildings or structures located in whole or in
							part in flood hazard areas, work on the building or structure shall be
							permitted, provided all of the following are met:
1. If a historical building will continue to
							be listed or eligible for listing as a historical building, then work proposed
							to be undertaken is not considered to be a substantial improvement. B
2. If all work proposed constitutes
							substantial improvement, including repairs, work required due to a change of
							occupancy, and alterations, then the existing building shall comply with the
							flood hazard provisions of the Building Code. B
3. The proposed work is the minimum necessary
							to comply with life and safety requirements of this Code. B
4. A variance to the flood provisions of this
							code is granted by the Board of Appeals. B