ARTICLE VI. - LIGHTING, VENTILATION AND ELECTRICAL FACILITIES
Part of the Code of Ordinances of Warwick, RI.
The text
Sec. 26-171. - Generally.#
No person shall own, occupy or permit to be occupied by another any dwelling or dwelling unit that does not comply with the requirements of this article.
(Code 1971, § 10-131)
Sec. 26-172. - Window area.#
Every habitable room shall have at least one window or skylight facing directly to the outdoors. The minimum total window area available for unobstructed light for every habitable room shall be no less than ten percent of the floorspace of such room. Whenever walls or portions of structures face a window of any such room and such light-obstruction structures are located less than three feet from the window and extend to a level above that of the ceiling of the room, such a window shall not be deemed to face directly to the outdoors and shall not be included as contributing to the required minimum total window area.
(Code 1971, § 10-132)
Sec. 26-173. - Openable window area.#
Every habitable room shall have at least one window or skylight which can easily be opened, or shall have such other device as will adequately ventilate the room. The total openable window area in every habitable room shall be equal to at least 50 percent of the minimum aggregate glass area required in section 26-172, except where there is supplied some other approved device affording adequate ventilation.
(Code 1971, § 10-133)
Sec. 26-174. - Bathroom light and ventilation.#
Every bathroom and toilet room shall comply with the light and ventilation requirements for habitable rooms except that in no case shall the minimum glass area of such window or skylight be less than three square feet, except for bathroom and toilet rooms equipped with a ventilation system which is kept in workable condition and approved by the enforcement officers.
(Code 1971, § 10-134)
Sec. 26-175. - Screening of doors and windows.#
From May 1 to October 1 every door, excepting bulkheads, opening directly from a dwelling unit to outdoor space shall have screens and a self-closing device and every window or other device with openings to outdoor space, used or intended to be used for ventilation, shall likewise be supplied with screens.
(Code 1971, § 10-135)
Sec. 26-176. - Basement ventilation.#
Every cellar and basement shall have at least two vents or windows opening directly to the outside air sufficient to prevent mildew or structural deterioration and properly equipped with approved screening.
(Code 1971, § 10-136)
Sec. 26-177. - Electrical fixtures.#
Every habitable room shall contain at least two separate wall-type electric convenience outlets or one such convenience outlet and one supplied ceiling-type electric light fixture, and every toilet room or compartment, bathroom, laundry room, furnace room, stairway and communicating corridor shall be supplied with at least with one electric light fixture. Every such outlet and fixture shall be properly installed, shall be maintained in good and safe working condition, and shall be connected to the source of electric power in a safe manner.
(Code 1971, § 10-137)
Sec. 26-178. - Lighting of public spaces.#
Every common hall and common stairway used primarily for egress or ingress in connection with two or more dwelling units shall be supplied with a proper amount of natural or electric light at all times; provided that such common halls and common stairways in structures containing not more than three dwelling units shall be deemed to have fulfilled such requirement if they are properly supplied with conveniently located switches in the common halls and common stairways, controlling an adequate electric lighting system which may be turned on when needed, and provided that all common stairways not used primarily for egress or ingress in all such dwellings shall be properly supplied with such switches. Every such outlet and fixture shall be properly installed, shall be maintained in good and safe working condition, and shall be connected to the source of electric power in a safe manner.
(Code 1971, § 10-138)