Ch. 5

2003 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(3) THE HOTEL OR MOTEL SHALL POST IN A CONSPICUOUS PLACE AT
THE REGISTRATION DESK A PERMANENT SIGN THAT STATES THE AVAILABILITY OF
SMOKE DETECTORS FOR THE DEAF OR HEARING IMPAIRED.

(D) RESIDENTIAL DWELLINGS.

ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 1982, AN OCCUPANT OF A ONE, TWO, OR THREE FAMILY
RESIDENTIAL DWELLING CONSTRUCTED BEFORE JULY 1, 1975, SHALL:

(1)      EQUIP EACH OCCUPANT'S LIVING UNIT WITH AT LEAST ONE
APPROVED BATTERY OR ALTERNATING CURRENT (AC) PRIMARY ELECTRIC POWERED
SMOKE DETECTOR; AND

(2)      MAINTAIN THE SMOKE DETECTOR

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language derived without substantive
change from former Art. 38A, § 12A(a)(1), (3), and (4) and (b).

In subsection (a)(1) of this section, the reference to the "most recent
edition" of the National Fire Protection Association Life Safety Code
"adopted by the State Fire Prevention Commission" is substituted for the
former obsolete reference to the "1988 Edition" for accuracy and to
accommodate reference to future editions of the NFPA Life Safety Code.

In subsections (a)(2) and (b)(2) of this section, the references to a "smoke"
detector are added for clarity and consistency. Similarly, in subsection
(b)(3) of this section, the reference to failure "of a smoke detector" is added.

In subsection (b)(3) of this section, the former reference to the "mechanical"
failure of a smoke detector is deleted to accommodate electronic and other
kinds of failures. The Public Safety Article Review Committee calls this
deletion to the attention of the General Assembly.

In the introductory language of subsection (b)(6) of this section, the
reference to a "tenant" is substituted for the former phrase "[w]here an
occupancy is occupied by a person" for consistency with terminology used
throughout subsection (b) of this section. Similarly, in subsection (b)(6)(ii)
of this section, the reference to a "tenant" is substituted for the former
reference to an "individual".

In subsection (c)(2) and (3) of this section, the references to a "hotel or
motel" are substituted for the former references to the "proprietor" for
clarity and consistency with subsection (c)(1) of this section.

In subsection (c)(3) of this section, the reference to smoke detectors for the
"deaf" is added for consistency with subsection (c)(1) of this section.

Also in subsection (c)(3) of this section, the former reference to a "counter"
is deleted as implicit in the reference to the "registration desk".

Former Art. 38A, § 12A(a)(2), which required smoke detectors to be
installed in hotels and multifamily buildings by specified dates, all of

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