Rhode Island General Laws Title 23. Health and Safety § 23-33-23. Safety devices on elevators

All hoistway or elevator openings through floors shall be fully enclosed by two (2) hour fire rated construction with one and one half (1 1/2 ) hour fire rated doors. Any passenger elevator which is not constructed so as to allow egress of persons from the elevator in any position in which it might be stopped, by accident or otherwise, shall be constructed or arranged so that the roof or the top of the elevator, or a sufficient portion thereof to allow egress of persons from it, may be conveniently opened from the top of the car; all elevators shall be equipped with an alarm warning device, or other means which shall emit a signal when the elevator is stuck between floors; and no elevator shall be thereafter used or operated which shall not be so constructed or arranged. Every elevator, except plunger elevators, shall be provided with some approved safety arrangement to prevent falling, and every elevator shall be fitted with some suitable device to prevent the elevator car from being started until the door or doors opening into the elevator shaft are closed; and no person under the age of eighteen (18) years shall take charge of or operate any elevator.