R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-27.3-100.1.6: Committee as board of standards and appeals — Powers and duties — Appeals.

The building codes standards committee, after the state building code is adopted and promulgated, will serve as a board of standards and appeals. For the purpose of securing for the public the benefits of new developments in the building industry and insuring public health, the board shall make or cause to be made investigations, or may accept authenticated reports from recognized authoritative sources on new materials or modes of construction intended for use in the construction of buildings or structures, and shall promulgate regulations setting forth the conditions under which the materials or modes of construction may be used. The regulations and amendments thereto shall have the same force and effect as the provisions of the code.