1. (a)

   1. (1) In this section, “high-rise building” means a building for human occupancy that is:

      1. (i) seven or more stories above grade level; or
      2. (ii) over 75 feet in height.

   2. (2) “High-rise building” does not include:

      1. (i) a structure or building used exclusively for open-air parking; or
      2. (ii) a building used exclusively for agricultural purposes.
2. (b) This subtitle applies throughout the State, including Baltimore City.

3. (c)

   1. (1) An automatic smoke alarm shall be provided in each sleeping area within each residential occupancy, including one- and two-family dwellings, lodging or rooming houses, hotels, dormitories, and apartment buildings, as defined in NFPA 101: Life Safety Code as adopted by the State Fire Prevention Commission.

   2. (2)

      1. (i) Beginning July 31, 2025, smoke detectors shall be installed in accordance with location and spacing requirements established by the National Fire Protection Association in each interior public corridor in a residential rental high-rise building.
      2. (ii) A county may not require upgrades to fire safety systems not specified in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph as a condition of issuing a permit for the installation of smoke detectors required under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph.

4. (d) Smoke alarms shall:

   1. (1) be installed in accordance with NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code as referenced by the State Fire Prevention Code;
   2. (2) be listed and labeled by a nationally recognized testing laboratory to comply with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 217, “Standard for safety for single and multiple station smoke alarms”;
   3. (3) be suitable for sensing visible or invisible products of combustion; and
   4. (4) sound an alarm suitable to warn the occupants.
5. (e) Local jurisdictions may adopt smoke alarm regulations that are more stringent than the provisions of this subtitle.

Added by Acts 2013, c. 594, § 1, eff. July 1, 2013; Acts 2013, c. 595, § 1, eff. July 1, 2013. Amended by Acts 2024, c. 744, § 1, eff. July 1, 2024.