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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:
DRY CLEANING
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.
SOLVENT CLASSIFICATION
A method for classifying solvents as follows:
A. 
CLASS I SOLVENTSFlammable liquids having a flash point below 100º F.
B. 
CLASS II SOLVENTSFlammable liquids having a flash point at or above 100º F. and below 140º F.
C. 
CLASS III SOLVENTSCombustible liquids having a flash point at or above 140º F.
SYSTEM CLASSIFICATION
Shall mean that dry-cleaning plants or systems are classified as follows:
A. 
CLASS I SYSTEMSThose utilizing Class I solvents.
B. 
CLASS II SYSTEMSThose utilizing Class II solvents or systems utilizing Class III solvents which do not comply with Class III or Class IV systems.
C. 
CLASS III SYSTEMSThose employing equipment listed by Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., utilizing Class III solvents.
D. 
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. 
No person shall engage in the business of dry cleaning without a permit which shall prescribe the class of system to be used.
B. 
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. 
New dry-cleaning plants or systems utilizing Class I solvents shall be prohibited.
B. 
Existing dry-cleaning plants or systems utilizing Class I solvents may be continued in use provided the quantity of Class I solvent that is stored and handled is not increased.
A. 
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. 
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. 
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. 
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. 
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.
A. 
Class IV systems shall be subject to the requirements for permit in § 198-27, but shall be exempt from all other provisions of this Part 1.
B. 
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. 
Spotting operations using flammable or combustible liquids shall not be permitted where self-service dry-cleaning equipment is installed.
A. 
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. 
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.