[1]
Editor's Note: State law reference - Laundries,
G.L. 1956, § 5-16-1 et seq.
The following words, terms and phrases, when
used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in
this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different
meaning:
The process of removing dirt, grease, paints and other stains
from wearing apparel, textiles, fabrics, rugs or other material, by
the use of nonaqueous liquids (solvents), and it shall include the
process of dyeing clothes or other fabrics or textiles in a solution
of dye colors and nonaqueous liquid solvents.
A method for classifying solvents as follows:
CLASS I SOLVENTSFlammable liquids having a flash point below 100º F.
CLASS II SOLVENTSFlammable liquids having a flash point at or above 100º F. and below 140º F.
CLASS III SOLVENTSCombustible liquids having a flash point at or above 140º F.
Shall mean that dry-cleaning plants or systems are classified
as follows:
CLASS I SYSTEMSThose utilizing Class I solvents.
CLASS II SYSTEMSThose utilizing Class II solvents or systems utilizing Class III solvents which do not comply with Class III or Class IV systems.
CLASS III SYSTEMSThose employing equipment listed by Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., utilizing Class III solvents.
CLASS IV SYSTEMSThose utilizing solvents which are nonflammable (will not support combustion) or nonflammable at ordinary temperatures and only moderately flammable at higher temperatures.
A.Â
No person shall engage in the business of dry cleaning
without a permit which shall prescribe the class of system to be used.
B.Â
No change shall be made in the solvent used in the
equipment, to a solvent in a more hazardous class unless permission
for such change shall first have been obtained from the Chief of the
Fire Department.
A.Â
Class II systems shall be located in buildings having
walls of masonry or noncombustible construction, and wall finish shall
be plain or plastered without furring or concealed spaces. Floors
of dry-cleaning sections shall be of fire-resistive material and without
pits, wells or pockets; and where located over a basement, floor shall
be vapor- and liquid-tight. Roof and floors above grade floor, if
of combustible material, shall have the ceilings over the dry-cleaning
areas protected by cement or gypsum plaster on metal lath or equivalent
material having a fire resistance rating of not less than one hour.
Dry-cleaning buildings shall not be closer than 10 feet to the line
of adjoining property, except that if exposing walls are blank walls
having a fire resistance rating of at least four hours the building
may be located on the property line.
B.Â
Dry-cleaning operations shall be restricted to the
lowest floor of a building but shall not be located on any floor below
grade. Operations incidental to the dry-cleaning business such as
laundering, pressing and ironing may be in a communicating building
or located on the same floor with the dry-cleaning plant, provided
the dry-cleaning operations are separated therefrom by noncombustible
partitions having a fire resistance rating of not less than two hours
and the communicating openings are protected by approved fire doors.
C.Â
Door openings on stairs or elevators leading from
a dry-cleaning area to a basement, or opening into a room having openings
or stairs to basements, shall be provided with noncombustible sills
or ramps raised at least six inches. Approved self-closing fire doors
shall be provided at such openings. Enclosures shall be of material
equivalent to the floor material but having a fire resistance rating
of not less than one hour.
D.Â
Rooms in which articles are hung up to dry shall be
constructed with noncombustible walls, partitions and ceilings having
a fire resistance rating of not less than two hours. Entrances to
drying rooms shall be provided with approved self-closing doors. If
the drying room is in a separate building it shall conform in all
respects to provisions for a dry-cleaning building.
E.Â
A mechanical system of ventilation shall be installed
in dry-cleaning areas and drying rooms. The mechanical system of ventilation
shall have sufficient capacity to insure complete and continuous change
of air once every six minutes and shall be provided with means of
remote control. The system shall operate automatically when any dry-cleaning
equipment is in use.
Class III systems, if located in the same building
with other occupancies, shall be separated from the remainder of the
building vertically and horizontally by material having a fire resistance
rating of not less than one hour with openings protected by approved
fire doors, except that such separation shall not be required for
operations incidental to or in connection with the dry-cleaning business,
such as laundering, scouring, scrubbing, drying, pressing or ironing,
and the requirement for such separation may be waived at the discretion
of the Chief of the Fire Department based upon a consideration of
such factors as type of building construction, nature of occupancy,
storage and operating capacity of the system and extent of private
fire protection provided.
B.Â
Self-service dry-cleaning plant utilizing only solvents
approved for Class IV dry-cleaning installations may be installed
subject to the approval of the Chief of the Fire Department.
C.Â
Spotting operations using flammable or combustible
liquids shall not be permitted where self-service dry-cleaning equipment
is installed.
A.Â
Where Class II systems are used, heating shall be
by steam or hot water only. Where Class III systems are used, heating
shall be by any approved means which does not involve any open flame
or ignition source in the dry-cleaning area. Steam and hot water pipes
and radiators for heating and drying purposes shall be at least one
inch from all woodwork and shall be protected by substantial metal
screens arranged so as to prevent combustible goods or materials from
coming in contact with pipes and radiators.
B.Â
For Class II or III systems boilers shall be located
in a detached building or in a boiler room cut off from the dry-cleaning
room by partitions of noncombustible material having a fire resistance
rating of not less than two hours and without openings. For Class
II systems, openings into such boiler rooms shall be at least 10 feet
from any exterior openings into the cleaning room.