The provisions of this regulation shall govern the minimum standards
for fire safety facilities and equipment. All structures shall be
constructed and maintained to prevent and avoid fire hazards and in
a manner conducive to fire safety.
A.
General. A safe, continuous and unobstructed means of egress shall
be provided from the interior of a structure to the exterior at a
street, yard, court or passageway leading to a public open area at
grade.
B.
Direct exit. Every housing unit shall have access directly to the
outside or to a common area that leads directly to the outside.
C.
Doors. All doors in the required means of egress shall be easily
opened from the inner side.
D.
Fire escapes. All fire escapes shall be maintained in working condition
and structurally sound.
E.
Exit signs. All exit signs shall be illuminated and visible.
F.
Emergency escape. Every sleeping room located in a basement shall
have at least one operable window or exterior door for emergency egress
or rescue which has received all necessary and legally required approvals
or shall have access to two separate exits which have received all
necessary and legally required approvals.
A.
General. Garbage or rubbish shall not be allowed to accumulate in
stairways, passageways, doors, windows, fire escapes or other means
of egress.
B.
Flammable matter. Highly flammable or explosive matter, such as paints,
volatile oils and cleaning fluids or combustible rubbish, such as
wastepaper, boxes and rags, shall not be accumulated or stored on
premises except in reasonable quantities consistent with normal usage.
C.
Residential unit. A housing unit shall not be located within a structure
containing an establishment handling, dispensing or storing flammable
liquids with a flash point of 100° F. or lower, except as provided
for in the applicable local building code.
Floors, walls, ceilings and other elements and components which
are required by the applicable fire code to comply with a fire resistance
rating shall be maintained so that the respective fire resistance
rating of the enclosure, separation or construction is preserved.
A.
General. All fire protection systems and equipment shall be maintained
in proper operating condition at all times.
B.
Smoke detectors. All housing units shall be provided with a minimum
of one single-station smoke detector in the vicinity of each sleeping
area. The smoke detectors shall be installed and maintained in accordance
with the state fire laws, Annotated Code of Maryland, Public Safety
Article. When actuated, the smoke detector shall provide an alarm
suitable to warn the occupants within the unit.
C.
Fire suppression system. Fire suppression systems in housing units
so equipped shall be maintained in good condition, free from mechanical
defect. Sprinkler heads shall be kept clean and free of corrosion
and paint and shall not be bent or damaged.
D.
Fire extinguishers. All portable fire extinguishers in housing units
so equipped shall be visible and accessible and maintained in an efficient
and safe operating condition.
All necessary and legally required fire-resistant-rated doors
or smoke barriers shall be maintained in good working order, including
all hardware necessary for the proper operation thereof. The use of
door stops, wedges and other hold-open devices which have not received
all necessary and legal approvals or which have been denied approval
is prohibited.
