CHAPTER 80
(House Bill 221)

AN ACT concerning

Smoke Control Systems in High-Rise Buildings - Obsolete Provisions -

Repealed

FOR the purpose of repealing obsolete requirements for smoke control systems in
high-rise buildings.

BY repealing

Article 38A - Fires and Investigations
Section 51, 51A, and 52
Annotated Code of Maryland

(1997 Replacement Volume and 1998 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article 38A - Fires and Investigations

[51.

(a) Any building planned for construction, but not under construction as of
July 1, 1974, shall be constructed in conformance with this subtitle, except if prior
approval of plans has been obtained from the appropriate governmental agency. All
other high-rise buildings constructed after July 1, 1974, shall comply with the
provisions of this subtitle.

(b) The provisions of this subtitle shall be in addition to any existing safety
fire laws, and nothing contained herein shall be construed as limiting the authority of
the State Fire Prevention Commission or State Fire Marshal to act under existing
safety fire laws. Penalties for violation of the provisions of this subtitle shall be in
accordance with § 13 of this article.}

[51A.

Every high-rise building on which construction begins after July 1, 1983, shall
be protected by a smoke control system: (1) designed and constructed in accordance
with accepted engineering practices and (2) in compliance with standards developed
by and jointly promulgated as regulations by the Department of Housing and
Community Development and the State Fire Prevention Commission and to be
enforced by the State Fire Marshal, and in Baltimore City, by the Chief of the Fire
Department.]

[52.

The State Fire Prevention Commission or State Fire Marshal and in Baltimore
City the board of fire commissioners and the Chief of the Fire Department is
authorized to make exceptions to the provisions of this subtitle only when there is