R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-1-3: Receptacles for city and town records.

It shall be the duty of every city and town to provide fireproof receptacles for records and documents relating to the official business of the city or town where the records and documents may be kept free from injury from any cause. The receptacles shall be of suitable type and subject to approval by the public records administrator. In case of failure of any city or town to provide fireproof receptacles, in accordance with the provisions of this section, it shall be the duty of the public records administrator to furnish receptacles as may be suitable for that purpose, and he or she shall have a claim against the town for that expense, which claim shall be enforced in accordance with § 45-15-5.