Fire Safety Code

Fire Code Occupancy Classification for Narragansett Properties

All property owners in the Town of Narragansett are encouraged to review the provided fire code documents to determine the correct occupancy classification of their property based on its actual use. Accurate occupancy classification is essential to ensure compliance with fire and life safety codes, and it directly impacts the level of fire protection required, inspection frequency, and overall safety for residents and visitors.

The State of Rhode Island Fire Safety Code is based on two nationally recognized standards: the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1, Fire Code and NFPA 101, Life Safety Code. These codes provide detailed criteria for the classification and regulation of all types of occupancies, including single-family homes, multi-family residences, short-term rentals, and lodging or rooming houses.

As part of this guidance, NFPA 101 – A.3.3.66.1 provides clarification on the definition and classification of one- and two-family dwelling units:

The application statement of 24.1.1.1 limits each dwelling unit to being “occupied by members of a single family with not more than three outsiders.” The Code does not define the term "family." The definition is subject to federal, state, and local regulations and might not be restricted to a person or a couple (two people) and their children.

NFPA provides the following examples to help differentiate between a single-family dwelling and a lodging or rooming house:

NFPA Guidance

  1. An individual or a couple (two people) who rent a house from a landlord and then sublease space for up to three individuals should be considered a family renting to a maximum of three outsiders, and the house should be regulated as a single-family dwelling in accordance with Chapter 24.
  2. A house rented from a landlord by an individual or a couple (two people) in which space is subleased to 4 or more individuals, but not more than 16, should be considered and regulated as a lodging or rooming house in accordance with Chapter 26.
  3. A residential building that is occupied by 4 or more individuals, but not more than 16, each renting from a landlord, without separate cooking facilities, should be considered and regulated as a lodging or rooming house in accordance with Chapter 26.

Correctly determining your property's occupancy type is critical to ensuring it is in compliance with the applicable fire code. This is particularly important for short-term rental properties and homes with multiple unrelated occupants.

If you have any questions or need assistance interpreting how these codes apply to your property, please contact the Narragansett Fire Prevention Office at (401) 789-1000 X3. Our staff is available to help guide you through the process and ensure your property is classified and protected appropriately.

Thank you for helping to keep Narragansett a safe place to live, work, and visit.

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