(a) Each judge of probate shall keep the records and files of the court of probate for the district in a fire-resistant safe or vault, in office space provided for that purpose by the town or towns comprising the district in which the judge serves, except when the records and files are in actual use for the purpose of examination, recording, copying or entry, or when the records and files, after being recorded or copied, are placed in storage as records and files not in current use. If such safe or vault or office space is not provided for such purpose, the chief administrative officers of the town or towns comprising the district shall provide the safe or vault or office space. The expense of providing such safe or vault or office space shall be paid by the town or towns comprising the district in such proportion as the towns may determine by agreement, or, in the absence of such agreement, in proportion to their grand lists last perfected.

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(b) If the proper authorities in any probate district fail to provide such safe or vault or office space, the Public Records Administrator may order the proper authorities in the probate district to provide such safe or vault or office space. If such provision is not made within a reasonable time thereafter, the Public Records Administrator shall so advise the State Librarian, who may seek enforcement of compliance with the order. The State Librarian shall send a copy of such order to the chief administrative officers of the town or towns comprising the district, the Probate Court Administrator and the judge of the probate district. The order shall specify the time within which the order shall be complied with. In setting such time for compliance, the State Librarian shall take into consideration the availability of facilities or equipment or the need for the construction or purchase thereof. The State Librarian may cause the enforcement of any such order by application to the Superior Court, or to any judge thereof if said court is not then sitting, to issue an appropriate decree or process, which application shall be brought and the proceedings thereon conducted by the Attorney General.

(c) All fire-resistant rooms or vaults and all safes for the safekeeping of any such public records shall conform to regulations adopted by the Public Records Administrator, in accordance with chapter 54, and shall be furnished with fittings of a noncombustible nature.