WILLIAM DONALD SCHAEFER, Governor
battery or AC primary electric powered smoke detector; and
(2) Maintain the smoke detector.

(c) (1) After investigating a fire in any residential dwelling place described in
subsection (b) of this section, the State Fire Marshal or the local investigating authority
shall issue to the occupant a smoke detection installation order in the absence of
required smoke detectors. Failure to comply with such an order within 15 days of
reoccupancy constitutes a violation.

(2) Failure to comply with the smoke detection installation order issued
under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be punishable only by a fine not exceeding
$50. The provisions of Section 13 of this article shall not apply.

(d) Failure to comply with this section may not be used as a policy defense in the
settlement of a property insurance claim.

(e) Approved smoke detecting devices shall be installed not to exceed the lineal
or square footage allowances specified, based on the generally accepted test standards
under which they were tested and approved.

(f) 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.

(g) Except as permitted under subsection (b) of this section, smoke detection
systems shall operate on an AC primary source of electric power.

(h) Smoke detection systems may operate on approved power supplies other
than an AC primary source when approved by the Fire Prevention Commission, but only
when it is clearly evident that reasonable safety is secured.

(i) Sale and installation of smoke detection systems and specialized smoke
detectors for the deaf and hearing impaired shall be in accordance with State of
Maryland Fire Prevention Code regulations.

(j) Approval shall be obtained from the State Fire Marshal by every
manufacturer commercially selling or offering for sale smoke detection systems in the
State. Application for such approval of each model shall be in the manner prescribed by
the State Fire Marshal and shall be accompanied by a fee of $25.

(k) An approved automatic fire sprinkler system may be installed in lieu of a
smoke detection system when approved by the Fire Prevention Commission. This option
shall not nullify any other requirements of the code nor be construed as exempting any
occupancy from such requirements where clearly applicable under the text of the code.

(1) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this article, the provisions of this
section shall apply in Baltimore City. In the city, the city fire department shall enforce
these provisions and any appeals concerning these provisions shall be made to the city
fire board.

(m) The provisions of subsections (a) through (1) of this section shall have no

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