Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 23-28.1 - Fire Safety Code — General Provisions
Section 23-28.1-5. - Definitions.

§ 23-28.1-5. Definitions.
The terms used in NFPA 1 (Uniform Fire Code), in NFPA 101 (Life Safety Code) and in such other national codes as are authorized for adoption by the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review shall be given the definitions established in those codes unless another meaning is provided for in this title and is essential to implementing the purposes of this title, and the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review shall have authority to resolve any conflicts among definitions in order to achieve the purposes of this title and/or provide for the efficient administration of codes:
(1) Abatement or to abate a condition. Abatement, or to abate a condition, is the reduction, decrease, or diminution of a hazardous condition that presents immediate danger to life. The term “immediate” denotes that action is or must be taken either instantly or without any considerable loss of time. The condition may be singular or may be a set of conditions that in combination present an immediate danger to life. Such conditions shall include improper management or use of flammable and combustible materials, liquids and gasses, pyrotechnics, fireworks or explosives, malfunctioning automatic sprinklers, fire alarms and emergency lighting, malfunctioning heating and electrical systems, blocked or inadequate exits or means of egress, and such other conditions as may be established by the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review.
(2) Authority having jurisdiction. Unless specifically defined to the contrary in this code, the authority having jurisdiction for the enforcement of this code shall be the state fire marshal, the deputy fire marshals, and assistant deputies.
(3) Code. The term “code” means this Fire Safety Code established under the provisions of § 23-28.1-1.
(4) Compliance order. For the purposes of this Code, a compliance order is defined as a command or direction authoritatively given to a building owner or occupant to provide conformance with the Fire Safety Code. A compliance order takes effect when a building owner or occupant, after proper notice, has exhausted his/her administrative appeals or has failed to avail himself/herself of appropriate administrative appeals within a reasonable period of time after receiving proper notice.
(5) Family day care home. The term “family day care home” means any home other than the child’s home in which child day care in lieu of parental care and/or supervision is offered at the same time to at least four (4) but not more than eight (8) children who are not relatives of the care giver, and which is licensed by the state department of children, youth, and families and subject to the department’s regulations.
(6) Nightclub. A place of public accommodation, which in general is characterized by all of the following:
(i) Provides entertainment by a live band or recorded music generating above normal sound levels.
(ii) Has as its primary source of revenue, in general, the sale of beverages of any kind for consumption on the premises and/or cover charges. Food, if served, is considered a secondary attraction.
(iii) Has an occupant load in total or in any single area or room of at least 100 patrons.
Nothing in this definition shall be construed to include any place of public accommodation or any event within a place of public accommodation, which is in its nature distinctly private.
(7) “Place of worship” means a building or structure, or an area thereof, the occupancy of which is for the religious rites and services and communal functions of a congregation, and which shall include sanctuaries, gathering halls, meeting rooms and offices and related facilities of the congregation, which may be located in the same, in connected, or in proximate structures.
History of Section.P.L. 1976, ch. 271, § 1A; P.L. 1978, ch. 43, § 1; P.L. 1978, ch. 155, § 1; P.L. 1981, ch. 351, § 1; P.L. 1984, ch. 63, § 2; P.L. 1986, ch. 91, § 1; P.L. 1986, ch. 146, § 3; P.L. 1986, ch. 158, § 1; P.L. 1991, ch. 158, § 1; P.L. 2003, ch. 106, § 3; P.L. 2003, ch. 107, § 3; P.L. 2004, ch. 220, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 225, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 311, § 1; P.L. 2006, ch. 506, § 1.

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