ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor

Ch. 5

(1)      WITHOUT ADEQUATE PROTECTION, RESIDENTS OF HIGH-RISE
BUILDINGS ARE DEPENDENT ON DESCENDING MULTIPLE FLIGHTS OF STEPS OR
JUMPING FROM WINDOWS WHEN A FIRE OCCURS.

(2)      FOR MANY ELDERLY RESIDENTS OF HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS, THIS IS
PHYSICALLY IMPOSSIBLE.

(3)      MOST FIRE FIGHTING AND RESCUE OPERATIONS ARE ALSO
CONDUCTED INSIDE THE HIGH-RISE BUILDING, WHERE THERE ARE GREATER
OBSTACLES TO RESCUING OCCUPANTS AND CONTROLLING AND EXTINGUISHING
THE FIRE.

(4)      MANY TRAGEDIES COULD BE AVOIDED BY INSTALLATION OF
AUTOMATIC FIRE EXTINGUISHING EQUIPMENT IN THESE SITUATIONS, USUALLY AT
NO GREAT ADDITIONAL COST TO BUILDERS.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language derived without substantive
change from former Art. 38A, § 48.

In subsection (a) of this section, the reference to providing for "the physical
safety and protection of property" of occupants is substituted for the former
reference to providing "protection for the life, limb, and property" of
occupants for clarity.

In subsection (b)(1) and (3) of this section, the reference to "high-rise
building[s]" is substituted for the former reference to "structure[s]" for
clarity and to use the defined term. Similarly, in subsection (b)(2) of this
section, the reference to "high-rise buildings" is substituted for the former
reference to "high-rise apartments" for consistency.

Defined term: "High-rise building" § 9-401
9-403. AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM REQUIRED.

(A)     IN GENERAL.

EACH HIGH-RISE BUILDING CONSTRUCTED AFTER JULY 1, 1974, SHALL BE
PROTECTED BY A COMPLETE AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEM INSTALLED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH ACCEPTED ENGINEERING PRACTICES AS APPROVED BY THE
AUTHORITY WITH JURISDICTION.

(B)     EXCEPTION.

(1) THIS SECTION DOES NOT APPLY TO A BUILDING THAT IS LESS THAN
75 FEET IN HEIGHT ABOVE GRADE LEVEL IF:

(I)      THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS AT LEAST ONE APPROVED
FIRST LINE PIECE OF AERIAL EQUIPMENT THAT IS CAPABLE OF REACHING THE ROOF
OF THE BUILDING; AND

(II)     ACCESSIBILITY TO THE BUILDING IS PROVIDED ON TWO SIDES
OF THE PERIMETER OF THE BUILDING BY A PUBLIC WAY THAT IS:

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