2090

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 585

CHAPTER 585

(Senate Bill 1037)

AN ACT concerning

Consumer Protection - Stoves and Freestanding Fireplaces

FOR the purpose of preventing continuation of unnecessary
fatalities caused by the unprotected sale of dangerous
heating appliances by prohibiting the sale,
distribution, or installation of any new wood-burning
or hand-fired stove or freestanding fireplace unless it
meets certain minimum safety standards the stove or
fireplace is accompanied with instructions including
certain information; providing for the enforcement of
this Act; and providing a penalty.

BY adding to

Article - Commercial Law

Section 14-1309

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1975 Volume and 1979 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That section(s) of the Annotated Code of Maryland
be repealed, amended, or enacted to read as follows:

Article - Commercial Law

14-1309.

(A) A PERSON MAY NOT SELL, DISTRIBUTE, OR INSTALL ANY
NEW HAND-FIRED HEATING STOVE OR FREESTANDING FIREPLACE THAT
IS INTENDED ULTIMATELY FOR INSTALLATION IN A PERMANENT OR
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE UNLESS THE STOVE OR FIREPLACE IS CLEARLY
MARKED, LABELED, OR STAMPED WITH THE SYMBOL OF A RECOGNIZED
TESTING LABORATORY APPROVED BY THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL
ACCOMPANIED WITH COMPLETE INSTRUCTIONS ON THE SAFE
INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF THE APPLIANCE, INCLUDING
INFORMATION ON;

(1)  THE SAFE CLEARANCE OF STRUCTURAL MEMBERS, AS
ESTABLISHED BY THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION
PAMPHLET 89M, "CLEARANCES FOR HEAT PRODUCING APPLIANCES";

(2)  THE TYPE OF FUEL TO BE BURNED IN THE
APPLIANCE;

(3)  PROPER STARTING INSTRUCTIONS;

(4)  PROPER STORAGE OF FUEL;

(5)  SAFE DISPOSAL OF ASHES; AND