Proposal seeks to amend fire code

PROVIDENCE, R.I.--New amendments proposed for the Rhode Island state fire code would clarify the authority of the fire marshal and eliminate confusing areas of the code, reported The Providence Journal in early June. The legislation would not affect mandatory sprinkler requirements for places of public assembly, which became law after a fire at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, R.I., in 2003 killed 100 people. The state adopted new codes developed by the National Fire Protection Association after that event. According to the newspaper, the new legislation would give the Fire Safety Code Board of Appeal and Review additional authority to make decisions.