Ch. 5

2003 LAWS OF MARYLAND

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language derived without substantive
change from former Art. 38A, § 12A(n), (o), (p), and (q).

In subsection (a)(2) 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 "1985 Edition" for accuracy and to
accommodate reference to future editions of the NFPA Life Safety Code.

In the introductory language of subsection (c) of this section, the former
requirement that a smoke detector be "of a type" is deleted as surplusage.

Defined term: "County" § 1-101
9-104. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR SMOKE DETECTORS.

(A)     ALTERNATING CURRENT PRIMARY SOURCE OF ELECTRIC POWER;
EXCEPTIONS.

(1)      EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (2) OF THIS SUBSECTION AND §
9-102(D) OF THIS SUBTITLE, SMOKE DETECTION SYSTEMS SHALL OPERATE ON AN
ALTERNATING CURRENT (AC) PRIMARY SOURCE OF ELECTRIC POWER

(2)      SMOKE DETECTION SYSTEMS MAY OPERATE ON APPROVED POWER
SUPPLIES OTHER THAN AN ALTERNATING CURRENT (AC) PRIMARY SOURCE OF
ELECTRIC POWER IF:

(I)      THE POWER SUPPLY IS APPROVED BY THE STATE FIRE
PREVENTION COMMISSION; AND

(II)     IT IS CLEARLY EVIDENT THAT REASONABLE SAFETY IS
SECURED.

(B)     LINEAL OR SQUARE FOOTAGE ALLOWANCES.

EACH APPROVED SMOKE DETECTOR SHALL BE INSTALLED SO AS NOT TO
EXCEED THE LINEAL OR SQUARE FOOTAGE ALLOWANCES SPECIFIED FOR THE
SMOKE DETECTOR, BASED ON THE GENERALLY ACCEPTED TEST STANDARDS UNDER
WHICH THE SMOKE DETECTOR WAS TESTED AND APPROVED.

(C)     APPROVAL AND USE.

SMOKE DETECTION SYSTEMS, INCLUDING SPECIALIZED SMOKE DETECTORS
FOR THE DEAF AND HEARING IMPAIRED, SHALL BE APPROVED FOR THE PARTICULAR
SYSTEM AND SHALL ONLY BE USED FOR DETECTION AND SIGNALING IN THE EVENT
OF FIRE.

(D)     LEASES FOR RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNITS.

EACH LEASE FOR AN EXISTING RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNIT THAT CONTAINS
ALTERNATING CURRENT (AC) ELECTRIC SERVICE SHALL CONTAIN A DISCLOSURE IN
10-POINT BOLD TYPE THAT STATES:

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