PROVIDENCE – The Senate last week passed legislation that will update the state fire code and increase flexibility and options for businesses that must comply with it.

The legislation, which now goes to the House, is part of the Senate’s “Making it Easy to do Business in Rhode Island” initiatives, specifically by addressing the concerns of businesses that seek less-costly options to comply with the state fire code.

The legislation updates the fire code and requests that the R.I. Fire Safety Code Board examine added regulatory flexibility for small businesses, including increasing square footage before triggering some of the more expensive code requirements, such as sprinklers and fire-alarm systems. It would leave in place exemption provisions for existing apartment buildings, places of worship, funeral homes, marinas and the marine-trade industry, restaurants and nonresidential barns. •