HARRY HUGHES, Governor

2577

FOR the purpose of empowering certain officials of fire
departments and the board of fire commissioners to take
certain actions when responding to , or operating at,
or returning from fires, service calls, or other
emergencies for certain purposes; providing for certain
nonliability for trespass for these officials while
performing the powers under this Act; generally
relating to the protection of persons and property and
the prevention of the spread of fire or hazardous
condition; and making stylistic corrections.

BY repealing and reenacting, with amendments,

Article 48 - Inspections

Section 181(a)

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1980 Replacement Volume and 1981 Supplement)

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

Article 48 - Inspections

181.

(a) The members of the board of fire commissioners and
the chief of the fire department and his assistants, and any
other officer or officers or member or members of the fire
department acting under the direction of such board or chief
of each of the cities of this State, and the chief, chief
engineer, captain or lieutenant of any volunteer fire
company, fire district or any other organization created for
the purpose of and engaged in the work of extinguishing
fires in any town or county of this State, whether
incorporated or not, exclusive of Baltimore County are
hereby severally authorized and empowered to inspect all
buildings, structures or other places in their respective
city, town or county, excepting, however, the interior of a
private dwelling, where any combustible material, including
waste paper, rags, shavings, waste, leather, rubber, crates,
boxes, barrels, rubbish or other combustible material that
is or may become dangerous as a fire menace to such building
or buildings, structure or other places has been allowed to
accumulate, or where such board or members thereof, chief
assistants, or other officer aforesaid, has reason to
believe that such material of a combustible nature has
accumulated or is liable to be accumulated. In all
jurisdictions the officials shall have the authority without
liability for trespass at any time of the day or night:

(1) To enter at their own risk any building,
including private dwellings, or upon any premises where a
fire is in progress, or where there is reasonable cause to