The provisions of this article shall govern the minimum firesafety facilities
and equipment to be provided. All structures shall be constructed and maintained
to prevent and avoid fire hazards and in a manner conducive to firesafety.
The owner of the structure shall provide and maintain such firesafety
facilities and equipment in compliance with these requirements and the Fire
Prevention Code. A person shall not occupy as owner-occupant or let to another
for occupancy or use any premises which does not comply with the following
requirements of this article.
Every dwelling unit, boardinghouse, and/or rooming unit shall have one
or more means of egress, with minimum head room of six feet, six inches leading
to a safe and open space at ground level. It shall be maintained as a safe,
continuous and unobstructed passageway to an open area at grade.
Every dwelling unit shall have access directly to the outside or to
a public corridor.
All doors in the required means of egress shall be readily openable
from the inside. Exits from dwelling units, hotel units, lodging units and
dormitory units shall not lead through other such units or through toilet
rooms or bathrooms.
All required fire escapes shall be maintained in a working and structurally
sound condition.
Exit signs, where required, shall be in accordance with the County's
Fire Prevention Code.
Waste, rubbish, garbage, or other materials shall not be allowed in
stairways, passageways, doors, windows, fire escapes or other means of egress.
Highly flammable or explosive matter, including but not limited to,
paints, volatile oils, cleaning fluids, or combustible refuse, shall not be
accumulated or stored on residential premises except in quantities consistent
with normal usage.
A dwelling unit or rooming unit shall not be located within a structure
containing an establishment handling, dispensing or storing flammable liquids
with a flash point of 110° F. or lower, except as provided for in the
Housing Code and/or Fire Prevention Code.
All fire protection systems and equipment shall be maintained in a properly
operating condition at all times.
Fire alarm and detecting systems shall be maintained for their respective
purposes.
Fire-suppression systems shall be maintained in good condition at all
times. Sprinkler heads shall be maintained clean, free of corrosion and paint
and not bent or damaged.
Hose stations shall be identified and accessible. The hose shall be
in proper position, ready for operation, dry and free of deterioration.
All required portable fire extinguishers shall be visible and accessible
and maintained in a efficient and safe operating condition. Fire extinguishers
shall be of an approved type.
Smoke detector requirements for Wicomico County shall be provided in
accordance with the Annotated Code of Maryland.
A.
All necessary and legally required fire-resistance-rated
doors or smoke barriers shall be maintained in good working order, including
all hardware necessary for their proper operation.
B.
The use of doorstops, wedges and other hold-open devices
which have not received all necessary and legal approvals or which have been
denied approval is prohibited.
