ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor

Ch. 5

which are prior to January 1, 1984, is deleted as obsolete because the dates
for compliance have passed.

9-103. CONSTRUCTION OF NEW RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNITS.

(A)     MINIMUM NUMBER OF SMOKE DETECTORS.

AT LEAST ONE SMOKE DETECTOR SHALL BE INSTALLED ON EACH LEVEL,
INCLUDING A BASEMENT BUT EXCLUDING AN ATTIC, OF EACH NEW RESIDENTIAL
DWELLING UNIT:

(1)      THAT CONTAINS ALTERNATING CURRENT (AC) ELECTRICAL
SERVICE;

(2)      THAT IS CLASSIFIED RESIDENTIAL, AS DEFINED IN THE MOST
RECENT. EDITION OF THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION LIFE SAFETY
CODE ADOPTED BY THE STATE FIRE PREVENTION COMMISSION; AND

(3)      FOR WHICH A BUILDING PERMIT IS ISSUED FOR NEW
CONSTRUCTION ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 1989.

(B)     ACTIVATION OF MULTIPLE SMOKE DETECTORS.

IF TWO OR MORE SMOKE DETECTORS ARE REQUIRED UNDER SUBSECTION (A)
OF THIS SECTION, THE SMOKE DETECTORS SHALL BE OF A TYPE AND INSTALLED IN
A MANNER SO THAT ACTIVATION OF ONE SMOKE DETECTOR CAUSES ACTIVATION OF
ALL OTHER REQUIRED SMOKE DETECTORS IN THE RESIDENTIAL DWELLING UNIT.

(C)     OPERATION BY. BATTERY AND ELECTRIC POWER

A SMOKE DETECTOR REQUIRED UNDER THIS SUBTITLE SHALL OPERATE BOTH
BY BATTERY AND ON AN ALTERNATING CURRENT (AC) PRIMARY SOURCE OF
ELECTRIC POWER IF THE SMOKE DETECTOR IS INSTALLED IN A NEW RESIDENTIAL
DWELLING UNIT:

(1)      THAT CONTAINS ALTERNATING CURRENT (AC) ELECTRICAL
SERVICE;

(2)      THAT IS DESIGNED TO BE OCCUPIED BY ONE OR MORE FAMILIES;
AND

(3)      FOR WHICH A BUILDING PERMIT IS ISSUED FOR NEW
CONSTRUCTION ON OR AFTER JULY 1, 1990.

(D)     ENFORCEMENT OF SECTION; ENACTMENT OF MORE STRINGENT LAWS.
THIS SECTION:

(1)      MAY BE ENFORCED BY A COUNTY FIRE CHIEF, FIRE
ADMINISTRATOR, OR MUNICIPAL FIRE CHIEF; AND

(2)      DOES NOT PREVENT A COUNTY FROM ENACTING MORE STRINGENT
LAWS THAT RELATE TO SMOKE DETECTORS.

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