Rental Licensing

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Maryland General Assembly Statutes Text

Article - Public Safety

§9–101.

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) “Long–life battery” means a nonrechargeable, nonreplaceable primary battery that is capable of operating a smoke alarm for at least 10 years in the normal condition.

(c) “Sleeping area” means a space that includes one or more sleeping rooms and a hall or common area immediately adjacent to any sleeping room.

(d) “Sleeping room” means an enclosed room with a bed arranged to be used as a bedroom.

(e) “Smoke alarm” means a single or multiple station device that detects visible or invisible products of combustion and includes a built–in internal alarm signal.

(f) “Smoke detector” means a system–connected smoke sensing device tied to a fire alarm control panel or a household fire warning panel.

Article - Public Safety

§9–103.

(a) This section applies only to new residential units constructed on or after July 1, 2013.

(b) At least one smoke alarm shall be installed in each sleeping room, in the hallway or common area outside of sleeping rooms, and in the hallway or common area on each level within a residential dwelling unit, including basements and excluding unoccupied attics, garages, and crawl spaces.

(c) If two or more smoke alarms are required within a residential unit, the smoke alarms shall be arranged so that activation of any one smoke alarm causes alarm activation of all other required smoke alarms within the residential unit.

(d) Each smoke alarm required by this section shall operate on an alternating current (AC) primary source of electric power with a battery backup or an approved alternate secondary power source.

(e) In one– and two–family dwellings, a smoke detector installed as a part of an approved household fire alarm system is an acceptable alternative to the AC powered–battery backup smoke alarm required by this section, if the smoke detector is installed and located as specified in subsection (b) of this section.

 (f) A smoke detector installed as a part of an approved fire alarm system is an acceptable alternative to the AC powered–battery backup smoke alarm required by this section, if the smoke detector is installed and located as specified in subsection (b) of this section.

Article - Public Safety

§9–104.

(a) (1) At least one smoke alarm shall be provided in each residential sleeping area.

(2) Smoke alarms required in one– and two–family dwellings constructed before July 1, 1975, shall be battery powered or alternating current (AC) primary electric powered units.

(3) Smoke alarms required in one– and two–family dwellings constructed between July 1, 1975, and June 30, 1990, shall be alternating current (AC) primary electric powered units.

(4) Smoke alarms required in multifamily residential occupancies including apartments, lodging or rooming houses, dormitories, and hotels shall be alternating current (AC) primary electric powered units.

(5) Smoke alarms required in a residential occupancy constructed on or after July 1, 1990, shall be alternating current (AC) primary electric powered units with battery backup or an approved alternate secondary power source.

(b) At least one smoke alarm shall be installed in each level of a residential occupancy constructed on or after January 1, 1989, including basements and excluding unoccupied attics, garages, and crawl spaces.

(c) If two or more smoke alarms are required within a residential unit constructed on or after January 1, 1989, the smoke alarms shall be arranged so that activation of any one smoke alarm causes alarm activation of all other required smoke alarms within the residential unit.

(d) (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, smoke alarm placement in a one– or two–family dwelling shall be upgraded to comply with paragraph (3) of this subsection in existing residential occupancies when any one of the following occurs:

(i) the existing smoke alarms exceed 10 years from the date of manufacture;

(ii)    the existing smoke alarms fail to respond to operability tests or otherwise malfunction;

(iii) there is a change of tenant in a residential unit and the residential unit has not previously been equipped in accordance with this subtitle with sealed long–life battery smoke alarms with silence/hush button features within the 10 years preceding the change of tenant; or

(iv) a building permit is issued for an additional residential unit or alteration to a residential unit.

(2) Smoke alarm placement shall be upgraded to comply with paragraph (3) of this subsection in all existing residential occupancies on or before January 1, 2018.

(3) Upgraded smoke alarm placement shall include the following:

(i) a minimum of one smoke alarm on each level of the residential unit, including basements and excluding unoccupied attics, garages, and crawl spaces;

(ii) smoke alarms shall be alternating current (AC) primary powered units with battery backup, except as follows:

1. smoke alarms in one– and two–family dwellings constructed before July 1, 1975, may be battery operated; and

2. smoke alarms required in new locations by this section, if smoke alarms did not previously exist, may be battery operated; and

(iii) if battery operated smoke alarms are permitted, only sealed, tamper resistant units incorporating a silence/hush button and using long–life batteries may be used.

(e) In one– and two–family dwellings, a smoke detector installed as a part of an approved household fire alarm system is an acceptable alternative to the AC powered–battery backup smoke alarms required by this section, if the smoke detectors are installed and located as specified in subsection (a) of this section.

(f) A smoke detector installed as a part of an approved fire alarm system is an acceptable alternative to the AC powered–battery backup smoke alarms required by this section, if the smoke detectors are installed and located as specified in subsection (a) of this section.

Article - Public Safety

§9–105.

(a) Each sleeping room occupied by a deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing individual shall be provided with a smoke alarm suitable to alert the deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing individual.

(b) (1) On written request on behalf of a tenant who is deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing, a sleeping room occupied by a deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing individual shall be provided with an approved notification appliance designed to alert deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing individuals.

(2) The landlord shall provide a notification appliance that, when activated, provides a signal that is sufficient to warn the deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing tenant in those sleeping rooms.

(3) The landlord may not require that a tenant:

(i) pay for the purchase or installation of a notification appliance; or

(ii) provide any supporting documentation or other form of evidence with a written request for a notification appliance.

(c) Hotels and motels shall have available at least one approved notification appliance for the deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing individual for each 50 units or fraction of 50 units.

(d) Hotels and motels shall post in a conspicuous place at the registration desk a permanent sign that states the availability of smoke alarm notification appliances for the deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing individual.

(e) (1) Hotels and motels may require a refundable deposit for notification appliances for the deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing individual.

(2) The amount of the deposit may not exceed the value of the notification appliance.

(f) A landlord may not require reimbursement from a tenant for the cost of a smoke alarm required under this section.

Article - Public Safety

§9–201.

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) (1) “Dormitory” means a building or space in a building that:

(i) is under joint occupancy and single management; and

(ii) provides group sleeping accommodations:

1. with or without meals, but without individual

cooking facilities;

2. for more than 16 individuals who are not members of the same family group; and

3. in one room or in a series of closely associated rooms.

(2) “Dormitory” includes a school dormitory, fraternity house, and

military barracks.

(c) “Dwelling unit” means a single unit that:

(1) provides complete, independent living facilities for one or more

individuals; and

(2) contains permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating,

cooking, and sanitation.

(d) (1) “Hotel” means a building or group of buildings that:

(i) is under the same management;

(ii) contains more than 16 sleeping accommodations for hire;

and

(iii) is used primarily by transients who are lodged with or without meals.

(2) “Hotel” includes an inn, motel, club, and apartment hotel.

(e) (1) “Lodging or rooming house” means a building:

(i) in which separate sleeping rooms are rented; and

(ii) that provides sleeping accommodations:

1. for 16 or fewer individuals;

2. on either a transient or permanent basis; and

3. with or without meals, but without individual

cooking facilities.

(2) “Lodging or rooming house” includes an inn, club, and bed and breakfast establishment.

(f) (1) “Multifamily residential dwelling” means a building or part of a

building that:

(i) contains more than two dwelling units; and

(ii) is not classified as a one or two family dwelling.

(2) “Multifamily residential dwelling” does not include a town house.

(g) (1) “Public water system” means a system that:

(i) provides the public with piped water for human consumption; and

(ii) has at least 15 service connections or regularly serves at least 25 individuals.

(2) “Public water system” includes:

(i) a collection, treatment, storage, or distribution facility that is under the control of the operator of the system and is used primarily in connection with the system; and

(ii) a collection or pretreatment storage facility that is not under the control of the operator of the system and is used primarily in connection with the system.

(h) “Sprinkler system” means a device that:

(1) opens automatically by operation of a heat responsive releasing

mechanism;

(2) discharges water in a specific pattern over a designated area to

extinguish or control fire; and

(3) uses the same service water supply pipe to the dwelling unit that

the public water system uses.

(i) “Town house” means a single family dwelling unit that is constructed in a horizontal series of attached units with property lines separating the units.

Article - Public Safety

§12–1101.

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) “Carbon monoxide alarm” means a device that:

(1) senses carbon monoxide;

(2) when sensing carbon monoxide, is capable of emitting a distinct

and audible sound;

(3) is listed and carries the listing of a nationally recognized testing

laboratory approved by the Office of the State Fire Marshal; and

(4) (i) is wired into an alternating current (AC) powerline with

secondary battery backup; or

(ii) for a hotel, a lodging or rooming house, or a rental dwelling

unit:

1. is wired into an alternating current (AC) powerline with secondary battery backup;

2. is battery–powered, sealed, tamper resistant, and using a long–life battery that has a life of not less than 10 years; or

3. is connected to an on–site control unit that monitors the carbon monoxide alarm remotely so that a responsible party is alerted when the device activates the alarm signal and receives its primary power from a battery or the control unit.

(c) (1) “Dwelling” means a building or part of a building that provides living or sleeping facilities for one or more individuals.

(2) “Dwelling” includes a one or two family dwelling, multifamily dwelling, hotel, lodging or rooming house, or dormitory.

(d) “Hotel” has the meaning stated in § 9–201 of this article.

(e) “Install” means to attach to the wall or ceiling of a dwelling in

accordance with:

(1) the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 720 standard for

the installation of carbon monoxide warning equipment in dwelling units; and

(2) the manufacturer’s recommendations.

(f) “Lodging or rooming house” has the meaning stated in § 9–201 of this

article.

(g) “Rental dwelling unit” has the meaning stated in § 6–801 of the Environment Article.

(h) “Sleeping area” has the meaning stated in § 9–101 of this article.

Article - Public Safety 

§12–1102.

This subtitle only applies to:

(1) a dwelling that:

(i) relies on the combustion of a fossil fuel for heat, ventilation,

hot water, or clothes dryer operation; and

(ii) is a newly constructed dwelling for which a building permit

is issued on or after January 1, 2008; or

(2) a hotel, a lodging or rooming house, or a rental dwelling unit.

Article - Public Safety

§12–1103.

A carbon monoxide alarm may be combined with a smoke alarm if the combined device complies with:

(1) this subtitle;

(2) Title 9 of this article; and

(3) American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standards 217 and 2034 or ANSI/UL 268 and 2075.

Article - Public Safety

§12–1104.

(a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section, there must be a carbon monoxide alarm installed in a central location outside of each sleeping area within a dwelling subject to this subtitle.

(b) For a hotel or a lodging or rooming house, on or after April 1, 2017, there must be a carbon monoxide alarm installed within the dwelling, as follows:

(1) on the wall inside each guest room that:

(i) contains a device that emits carbon monoxide;

(ii) is adjacent to a room or area that contains a device that emits carbon monoxide;

(iii) is adjacent to an enclosed unventilated attached garage; or

(iv) is connected by ductwork to an enclosed unventilated attached garage or room or area that contains a device that emits carbon monoxide; and

(2) on a wall in each room or area that:

(i) contains a device that emits carbon monoxide;

(ii) is adjacent to a room or area that contains a device that emits carbon monoxide; or

(iii) is adjacent to an enclosed unventilated attached garage.

(c) For a rental dwelling unit, on or after April 1, 2018, there must be a carbon monoxide alarm installed within the dwelling as follows:

(1)  and in the immediate vicinity of each separate sleeping area; and

(2) on every level of the unit, including the basement.

(d) Notwithstanding subsections (a), (b), and (c) of this section, if there is a centralized alarm system that is capable of emitting a distinct and audible sound to warn all occupants, the owner of a dwelling may install a carbon monoxide alarm within 25 feet of any carbon monoxide–producing fixture and equipment.

Electrical

Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI)

Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs) are an important electrical fire prevention and safety requirement of the National Electrical Code (NEC®), which first required them beginning in 1999. AFCIs help protect individuals and families from injuries and/or death by detecting dangerous arcing in electrical wires and shutting down an electrical system before a fire can start.

In the 2020 edition of the NEC®, Section 210.12 requires that for dwelling units, all 120-volt, single-phase, 15- and 20-ampere branch circuits supplying outlets or devices installed in dwelling unit kitchens, family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreation rooms, closets, hallways, laundry areas, or similar rooms or areas shall be protected by AFCIs.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI)

A ground fault circuit interrupter, called a GFCI or GFI, is an inexpensive electrical device that can either be installed in your electrical system or built into a power cord to protect you from severe electrical shocks.  GFCIs have played a key role in reducing electrocutions. Greater use of GFCIs could further reduce electrocutions and mitigate thousands of electrical burn and shock injuries still occurring in and around the home each year. Ground fault protection is integrated into GFCI receptacles and GFCI circuit breakers for installation into your electrical system, especially for circuit outlets in particularly vulnerable areas such as where electrical equipment is near water.  Portable GFCIs are also available to provide on-the-spot ground fault protection even if a GFCI is not installed on the circuit. The GFCI is designed to protect people from severe or fatal electric shocks but because a GFCI detects ground faults, it can also prevent some electrical fires and reduce the severity of other fires by interrupting the flow of electric current.

Home Maintenance

Home Maintenance Checklist

Incorporate this checklist into your regular maintenance program to keep your house safe and  in great shape between professional inspections.

• Change the backup batteries in smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms and dust their covers.

• Change furnace and A/C filters.

• Check fire extinguishers. Keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen.

• Clean out gutters and downspouts.

• Call the chimney sweep. Clear tree branches and leaves away from the top of the chimney.

• Check all window seals.

• Check the attic and basement for leaks.

• Check for damage to your roof.

• Check your water heater every six months for leaks or rust.

• Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and air filter.

• Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct and damper, and the space under the dryer.

• Replace rubber washer hoses with steel-braided hoses.

• Check the nightlights at the top and bottom of all stairways.

• Check the exterior siding.

• Check all window and door locks.

• Check your home for water leaks.

• Test your emergency generator.

• Confirm that firewood is stored at least 20 feet away from your home.

• Familiarize responsible family members with the gas main valve and other appliance valves.

• Test all GFCI receptacles/outlets.

• Review your emergency escape plan with your family.

• Make sure your house number is visible from the street for first-responders to see.

• Replace all extension cords that have become brittle, worn or damaged.