HARRY HUGHES, Governor                                     3733

(21) A representative of a major medical institution
in this State;

(22) Two citizens of this State if representing the
general public; and

(23) The Chief Medical Examiner of the State or his
designee; and it further

RESOLVED, That the Governor designate the Chairman of the
Task Force, and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force shall study the problems
arising from the use of materials which release toxic combustion
products when exposed to heat and fire in construction and
furnishing buildings, shall study whether these problems can be
addressed adequately under existing building codes and other
laws, and if appropriate, shall recommend changes in regulations
and legislation it considers necessary; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Task Force report its findings and
recommendations to the General Assembly and Governor by January
1, 1986; and be it further

RESOLVED, That staff for the Task Force be provided by the
Governor's Office; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the members of the Task Force may not
receive compensation but may be reimbursed for expenses in
accordance with State Standard Travel Regulations.

Building Materials - Combustibility, Flammability,
and Fire Gas Toxicity

FOR the purpose of requesting the Governor to appoint a Task
Force to study deaths resulting from building fires, the
contribution of building materials to building fire deaths,
and the factors of combustion, smoke, and toxic combustion
products produced when such building materials are burned or
subjected to high temperatures; assessing the current state
of the art in fire hazard analysis and what research is
currently being done by federal government, universities,
research institutions, standards organizations, and any
other entities, to improve fire safety in Maryland;
providing direction for the Task Force; and generally
relating to the Task Force and its work.

WHEREAS, It has long been recognized that most deaths
associated with fires are the result of inhalation of smoke
and/or toxic gases, and not the fire itself, and that most of
these deaths occur in homes, and because materials used in the
construction of furnishings of homes, offices, or other buildings
occupied by humans may produce toxic gases and smoke in various
quantities when heated or burned, therefore, an understanding of