19.1 Authority

1. A. The Rhode Island Fuel Gas Code is promulgated by the Building Code Standards Committee pursuant to the authority granted in R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 23-27.3-100.1.5 and 23.27.3-109.1.

19.2 Incorporated Materials

1. A. The Building Code Standards Committee hereby adopts and incorporates as the Rhode Island Fuel Gas Code the provisions of the International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), 2021 edition, as published by the International Code Council, Inc. (ICC) not including any further editions or amendments thereof and only to the extent that the provisions therein are not inconsistent with R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 23-27.3 and any provisions reserved, deleted, or amended in this Regulation.

   1. 1. IFGC 2021 is protected by the copyright that has been issued to the ICC. IFGC 2021 can be viewed and purchased here: https://codes.iccsafe.org/codes/i-codes/2021-icodes.
   2. 2. To properly utilize the Rhode Island Fuel Gas Code, IFGC 2021 must be read jointly with the Building Code requirements in R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 23-27.3 and the amendments to IFGC 2021 set forth in the sections of this Regulation, below.
   3. 3. Format: These code changes follow numbering sequence and topics of the IFGC 2021 (first printing). All provisions of IFGC 2021 are retained unless indicated as deleted or amended. Published errata is available from the ICC website.

19.3 IFGC 2021 is Adopted with the Following Amendments

Chapter 1: Scope and Administration

1. Chapter 1 is adopted with the following changes.

   1. 101.1 Delete IFGC section 101.1 and substitute the following:

      1. 101.1 Title.
      2. These regulations shall be known as The Rhode Island Fuel Gas Code Regulation, hereafter referred to as "this code."

   2. 101.2.4 Delete only paragraph #9 in IFGC section 101.2.4 and substitute the following:

      1. 9. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) installations shall be installed in accordance with this code and the Rhode Island Fire Safety Code ( 450-RICR-00-00-1 through 10).

   3. 102.8 Add the following to the end of IFGC section 102.8 “Referenced Codes and Standards.”

      1. Rhode Island Code references:
      2. Building Code. The provisions of the Rhode Island State Building Code ( Part 1 of this Subchapter) shall apply wherever referenced in this code as the International Building Code.
      3. Residential Code. The provisions of the Rhode Island One and Two-Family Dwelling Code ( Part 2 of this Subchapter) shall apply wherever referenced in this code as the International Residential Code.
      4. Plumbing Code. The provisions of the Rhode Island Plumbing Code (Part of this Subchapter) shall apply wherever referenced in this code as the International Plumbing Code.
      5. Mechanical Code. The provisions of the Rhode Island Mechanical Code ( Part 4 of this Subchapter) shall apply wherever referenced in this code as the International Mechanical Code.
      6. Electrical Code/NFPA 70. The provisions of Rhode Island State Electrical Code ( Part of this Subchapter) shall apply wherever referenced in this code as the ICC Electrical Code.
      7. Property Maintenance. The provisions of the Rhode Island State Property Maintenance Code ( Part 6 of this Subchapter) shall apply wherever referenced in this Code as the International Property Maintenance Code.
      8. Fire Safety Code. The provisions of the Rhode Island Fire Safety Code (450-RICR-00-00-1 through 10) shall apply wherever referenced in this code as the International Fire Code.
      9. Energy Code. The provisions of the Rhode Island State Energy Code ( Part 8 of this Subchapter) shall apply wherever referenced in this code as the International Energy Conservation Code.
      10. Swimming Pool and Spa Code. The Provisions of the Rhode Island Swimming Pool and Spa Code (Part 14 of this Subchapter) shall apply wherever referenced in this code as the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code.
      11. Existing Building Code. The provisions of the Rhode Island Existing Building Code ( Part 7 of this Subchapter) or the State Rehabilitation Code (Part 20 of this Subchapter), as applicable, shall apply wherever referenced in this code as the International Existing Building Code.
   4. 103 Delete all of IFGC section 103 without substitution.
   5. 104 Delete all of IFGC section 104 without substitution.
   6. 105 Delete all of IFGC section 105 without substitution.
   7. 106 Delete all of IFGC section 106 without substitution.
   8. 108 Delete all of IFGC section 108 without substitution.
   9. 109 Delete all of IFGC section 109 without substitution.

Chapter 2: Definitions

1. Chapter 2 is adopted with no changes.

Chapter 3: General Regulations

1. Chapter 3 is adopted with the following changes.

   1. 303.3 Add the following new exception at the end of IFGC section 303.3:

      1. 7. Gas fired appliances may be installed in loft or open efficiency type apartments when there is a sleeping area not a sleeping room. The installation of appliances must comply with section 304.5 for combustion air required volume and the manufacturers’ installation instructions.
   2. 307.6 Delete IFGC section 307.6 without substitution.

   3. 310.2 Delete IFGC section 310.2 and substitute the following:

      1. 310.2 CSST.
      2. CSST gas piping systems shall be bonded to the electrical service grounding electrode system. The bonding jumper shall connect to a metallic pipe or fitting between the point of delivery and the first downstream CSST fitting. The bonding jumper shall be copper and not smaller than 6AWG. The bonding jumper shall not exceed forty feet (40’) in length. CSST system with a conductive jacket deemed to be equivalent to a direct bonded CSST system by an approved listing agency shall only be required to be bonded in accordance with Residential Code section G2411.1 (Part 2 of this Subchapter) or this Code, section 310.1. The installation of the bonding jumper shall be by an electrician with an electrical permit and inspected by the electrical inspector.

   4. 311 Add new section 311 entitled, “Space-Heating Systems”

      1. 311 Space-heating systems.

      2. Interior spaces intended for human occupancy shall be provided with active or passive space-heating systems capable of maintaining a minimum indoor temperature of sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit (68° F) (twenty degrees Celsius (20° C)) at point three feet (3') (914 mm) above floor on the design heating day. The installation of portable space heaters shall not be used to achieve compliance with this section.

         1. Exception: Interior spaces where the primary purpose is not associated with human comfort.

Chapter 4: Gas Piping Installations

1. Chapter 4 is adopted with no changes.

Chapter 5: Chimneys and Vents

1. Chapter 5 is adopted with no changes.

Chapter 6: Specific Appliances

1. Chapter 6 is adopted with the following changes .

   1. M 614.9.5 Delete IFGC section 614.9.5 and substitute the following:

      1. M614.9.5 Length identification.
      2. The maximum length of dryer duct may exceed thirty-five feet (35’) when a permanent placard, measuring a minimum five inches (5”) wide, three inches (3”) high, and one eighth of one inch (1/8”) thick, and constructed of either wood, metal, or rigid plastic, and bearing raised or embossed lettering stating the following: “WARNING: THE EFFECTIVE LENGTH OF THIS DRYER DUCT IS xxx FEET. ANY DRYER CONNECTED TO THIS EXHAUST DUCT MUST BE RATED TO USE AN EXHAUST DUCT OF THIS LENGTH, PER THE MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATIONS; SEVERE RISK OF FIRE MAY RESULT FOR NONCOMPLIANCE WITH THIS NOTICE.”
      3. The provisions of M504.9.4 shall be used in establishing the effective length of the ductwork installed and noted on the placard. The placard shall be permanently attached to the wall or floor within six inches (6”) of the terminus of the duct.

Chapter 7: Gaseous Hydrogen Systems

1. Chapter 7 is adopted with no changes.

Chapter 8: Reference Standards

1. Chapter 8 is adopted with no changes.

19.4 Appendices to IFGC 2021

1. The following appendices are adopted: A, B, and C.
2. The following appendices are deleted: D and E.