1. A. Fire Safety Protection.

   1. (1) Smoke Alarms. A freestanding birthing center shall place smoke alarms on each floor and at points as recommended by the State Fire Marshal or local fire authority. A freestanding birthing center shall have alarms that are audible throughout the center.
   2. (2) Fire Extinguishers. A freestanding birthing center shall provide at least one approved fire extinguisher on each floor, including below ground level.

   3. (3) Lighting and Power. A freestanding birthing center shall ensure that:

      1. (a) Exits are illuminated during time of occupancy; and
      2. (b) Emergency lighting is located to provide illumination in event of a power failure.

2. B. Power Outage. A freestanding birthing center shall have:

   1. (1) A written plan to address power outages; and
   2. (2) Annual staff training relating to power outages.

3. C. Evacuation.

   1. (1) A freestanding birthing center shall make written copies of its fire evacuation plan available to all personnel and instruct all personnel in the implementation of the evacuation plan.
   2. (2) A freestanding birthing center shall keep all personnel informed of their responsibilities under the plan and conduct a supervised evacuation drill at least once a year.

Authority: Health-General Article, §19-3B-01 et seq., Annotated Code of Maryland

Effective date: August 23, 1999 (26:17 Md. R. 1322)

Chapter revised effective February 15, 2016 (43:3 Md. R. 272)

Regulation .01B amended effective December 8, 2016 (43:24 Md. R. 1350)

Regulation .06A amended effective December 8, 2016 (43:24 Md. R. 1350)

Chapter revised effective October 13, 2025 (52:20 Md. R. 1000)