The purpose and intent of this Division is to prescribe minimum requirements and controls to safeguard life, property, and the public welfare from the hazards of fire and explosion. The provisions of this Division shall not prevent the use of any material or method of construction not prescribed by this Division when the permittee can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the Fire Chief or authorized representative, that the proposed method or material is, for the purpose intended, at least the equivalent of the material or method otherwise prescribed, in quality, strength, effectiveness, fire resistance, durability, and safety. Where existing standards or requirements, adopted herein, have been updated or superseded by the promulgating authority, such revised standard or requirement shall be deemed as prima facie evidence of compliance with the intent of the Subtitle. Whenever it is determined, however, that there is documentary evidence that the use of a material or method approved herein would constitute a distinct hazard to life or property, the Fire Chief or authorized representative shall have the authority to administratively suspend approval granted herein of such material or method. The Fire Chief or authorized representative shall, within five (5) working days, request the County Council to confirm such administrative suspension by resolution of the Council. Such written request of the Fire Chief or authorized representative shall be accompanied by sufficient technical data and record of national or local testing to substantiate that the use of an approved method or material would constitute a distinct hazard to life or property. Prior to obtaining a fire inspection for a change of use or final occupancy permit the applicant shall obtain approval for the proposed use from the Planning Board.

The provisions of this Division shall apply to existing conditions as well as to conditions arising after the adoption thereof, except that conditions legally in existence at the adoption of this Division and not in strict compliance therewith may be permitted to continue only if, in the opinion of the Fire Chief or authorized representative, they do not constitute a distinct hazard to life or property. The provisions of this Division shall not apply to any building, area, or premises within the County that is owned by any department or agency of the government of the United State of America or the State of Maryland. Nothing in this Division shall be construed to limit the authority of any fire official who has been appointed Assistant or Special Assistant State Fire Marshal in accordance with Subtitle 6, Public Safety Article, Annotated Code of Maryland or the authority granted by other laws or codes.

The following enumerated codes, standards, and model laws published by the National Fire Protection Association ("NFPA"), shall be adopted by resolution and made a part of this Division with the same force and effect as if the same were incorporated and set forth at length therein. The editions of the individual codes and standards listed in Subparagraph (a)(1) through (10) shall be adopted by resolution by the County Council. A copy of the adopted codes, standards, and model laws shall be marked as a master copy and maintained by the Clerk of the County Council. Occupancy protection. NFPA 32. Standard for Dry-cleaning Plants NFPA 88A. Standard for Parking Structures NFPA 99. Health Care Facilities Code NFPA 101. Life Safety Code as amended by the State of Maryland Fire Prevention Code NFPA 102. Standard for Grandstands, Folding and Telescopic Seating, Tents, and Membrane Structures NFPA 307. Standard for the Construction and Fire Protection of Marine Terminals, Piers, and Wharves NFPA 909. Code for the Protection of Cultural Resource Properties — Museums, Libraries, and Places of Worship Flammable and Combustible Liquids. NFPA-30. Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code NFPA-30A. Code for Motor Fuel Dispensing Facilities and Repair Garages NFPA-31. Standard for the Installation of Oil-Burning Equipment NFPA-33. Standard for Spray Application Using Flammable or Combustible Materials NFPA-34. Standard for Dipping, Coating, and Printing Processes Using Flammable or Combustible Liquids NFPA-329 Recommended Practice for Handling Releases of Flammable and Combustible Liquids and Gases Flammable gases. NFPA-30B. Code for the Manufacture and Storage of Aerosol Products NFPA-51. Standard for the Design and Installation of Oxygen-Fuel Gas Systems for Welding, Cutting, and Allied Processes NFPA-51A. Standard for Acetylene Cylinder Charging Plants NFPA-51B. Standard for Fire Prevention During Welding, Cutting, and Other Hot Work NFPA-54. National Fuel Gas Code NFPA-55. Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Fluids Code NFPA-58. Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code NFPA-59. Utility LP-Gas Plant Code NFPA-59A Standard for the Production, Storage and Handling of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) NFPA-329 Recommended Practice for Handling Releases of Flammable and Combustible Liquids and Gases Hazardous materials and processes. NFPA-35. Standard for the Manufacture of Organic Coatings NFPA-45. Standard on Fire Protection for Laboratories Using Chemicals NFPA-69. Standard on Explosion Prevention Systems NFPA-160. Standard for the Use of Flame Effects Before an Audience NFPA-400 Hazardous Materials Code NFPA-484. Standard for Combustible Metals NFPA-495. Explosive Materials Code NFPA-560. Standard for the Storage, Handling, and Use of Ethylene Oxide for Sterilization and Fumigation NFPA-654. Standard for the Prevention of Fire and Dust Explosions from the Manufacturing, Processing, and Handling of Combustible Particulate Solids NFPA-664. Standard for the Prevention of Fires and Explosions in Wood Processing and Woodworking Facilities NFPA-704. Standard System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response NFPA-801. Standard for Fire Protection for Facilities Handling Radioactive Materials NFPA-1122. Code for Model Rocketry NFPA-1123. Code for Fireworks Display Transportation. NFPA-303. Fire Protection Standard for Marinas and Boatyards NFPA-407. Standard for Aircraft Fuel Servicing NFPA-498. Standard for Safe Havens and Interchange Lots for Vehicles Transporting Explosives NFPA-501. Standard for Manufactured Housing NFPA-501A. Standard for Fire Safety Criteria for Manufactured Home Installation, Sites, and Communities NFPA-1192. Standard on Recreational Vehicles NFPA-1194. Standard for Recreational Vehicle Parks and Campgrounds Fire extinguishing systems. NFPA-11. Standard for Low, Medium and High-Expansion Foam NFPA-12. Standard for Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Systems NFPA-12A. Standard for Halon 1301 Fire Extinguishing Systems NFPA-13. Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems NFPA-13D. Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes NFPA-13R. Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in Residential Occupancies Up to and Including Four Stories in Height NFPA-14. Standard for the Installation of Standpipes and Hose Systems NFPA-15. Standard for Water Spray Fixed Systems for Fire Protection NFPA-16. Standard for the Installation of Foam-Water Sprinkler and Foam-Water Spray Systems NFPA-17. Standard for Dry Chemical Extinguishing Systems NFPA-17A. Standard for Wet Chemical Extinguishing Systems NFPA-20. Standard for Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection NFPA-22. Standard for Water Tanks for Private Fire Protection NFPA-24. Standard for the Installation of Private Fire Service Mains and their Appurtenances NFPA-25. Standard for the Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems NFPA-750 Standard on Water Mist Fire Protection Systems NFPA-1142 Standard on Water Supplies for Suburban and Rural Fire Fighting Portable fire extinguishers. NFPA-10. Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers Fire warning systems. NFPA-72. National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code Storage. NFPA-70. National Electrical Code NFPA-82. Standard on Incinerators and Waste and Linen Handling Systems and Equipment NFPA-85. Boiler and Combustion Systems Hazards Code NFPA-86. Standard for Ovens and Furnaces NFPA-90A. Standard for the Installation of Air Conditioning and Ventilating Systems NFPA-90B. Standard for the Installation of Warm Air Heating and Air Conditioning Systems NFPA-96 Standard for Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations NFPA-110. Standard for Emergency and Standby Power Systems NFPA-204. Standard for Smoke and Heat Venting NFPA-211. Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents, and Solid Fuel Burning Appliances NFPA-220. Standard on Types of Building Construction NFPA-241. Standard for Safeguarding Construction, Alteration, and Demolition Operations Building Construction and Facilities. NFPA-1. Fire Code as amended by the State of Maryland Fire Prevention Code

Exits shall be provided and maintained as required by this Division and the applicable sections of the Prince George's County Building Code. All doors in or leading to exits shall be maintained operable from the inside, without the use of a key or any special knowledge or effort, at all times when the building or area served hereby is occupied. Special purpose door alarms, window bars, or bolting devices shall be approved by the Fire Chief or authorized representative prior to installation. Manually operated edge or surface mounted flush bolts are prohibited. In other than individual dwelling units, no person shall place, store, or keep or permit to be placed, stored, or kept any materials, the presence or burning of which would obstruct or render hazardous an exit. No person shall at any time place an encumbrance of any kind before or upon any fire escape, balcony, or ladder intended as a means of escape from fire. All fire exit doors which open into stairways or exit passageways and any doors which are installed across corridors to provide fire or smoke barriers shall be self-closing and shall be so maintained or shall be automatic doors which will close upon activation of a fail-safe type of approved smoke detection device. It shall be unlawful to block, obstruct, or otherwise impair the operation of any door required to be self-closing or automatic. All doors which are installed to provide protection of openings in exit stairways or exit corridors shall be equipped with a positive-latching device to prevent the spread of smoke and fire. No person shall block, impede, or obstruct any aisle, passageway, hallway, lobby, foyer, or stairway, leading to or from an entrance or exit required by law, which will prevent, delay, hinder, or interfere with the free use of such passageway by any person. The following exceptions are provided to the requirements to provide free and unobstructed egress from all parts of all buildings and structures at all times. In mental, penal, or corrective institutions where supervisory personnel are continually on duty and effective provisions, approved by the Fire Chief or authorized representative, are made to remove occupants in the case of fire or other emergency. When approved by the Fire Chief or authorized representative, in buildings occupied only by personnel whose principal duty is the security of the building and when each such person has keys to an adequate number of exits the prohibition against the use of keys in exit doors may be waived.

Educational occupancies. Fire drills shall be conducted at least once during each month in which classes are held in educational occupancies where such occupancies constitute the major occupancy of the building, and the following regulations shall be observed: Fire drills shall include complete evacuation of all persons from the building or structure; and A record of all fire drills conducted shall be maintained and made available upon request to the Fire Chief or authorized representative; and The agent in charge of such occupancies shall notify Public Safety Communications prior to and immediately after each fire drill. Institutional occupancies. Fire drills shall be conducted at least once each month for each work shift in institutional occupancies such as hospitals, nursing homes and jails where such occupancy constitutes the major occupancy of a building, and the following regulations shall be observed: Fire drills shall be conducted to familiarize operating personnel with their assigned positions of emergency duty. Employees of such institutional occupancies shall receive fire safety training at least once every six (6) months. Training programs shall be based upon, but not limited to, the emergency fire safety manual for the institution that has been approved by the Office of the Fire Marshal. Agents in charge of such institutions shall forward training documentation to the Office of the Fire Marshal upon request. Complete evacuation of occupants from the building at the time of the fire drill shall be required only where it is practicable and does not involve moving or disturbing patients under medical care. A record of all fire drills conducted shall be maintained and made available upon request to the Fire Chief or authorized representative. The agent in charge of such occupancy shall notify Public Safety Communications prior to and immediately after each fire drill. Weather. During severe weather, fire drills may be postponed, upon written request and written permission by the Fire Chief or authorized representative.

Occupancy load certificate generally. In every place of public or private assembly, there shall be an original occupancy load certificate permanently posted in a conspicuous place in the room near the entrance. Such certificate shall be furnished and signed by the Fire Chief or authorized representative, and such certificate shall read generally as follows: Capacity in excess of occupancy load certificate. No owner, operator, or manager, or person in charge, or agent, or employee shall permit, within a place of public or private assembly, any persons in excess of the number allowed by the occupancy load certificate for such place. Where there is any doubt as to the computation of occupancy load, the certificate shall control. Sale of tickets in excess of occupancy load certificate limit. No owner, operator, manager, agent, or employee of any place of public or private assembly hereto referred shall sell or permit any employee, agent, or servant to sell for a single performance, or between the beginning and end of any single performance or show (including short or extra attractions in the case of motion pictures), more tickets or admissions than the number of persons allowed within such place by the occupancy load certificate. Such sale of an excess number of tickets or admissions shall be prima facie evidence of the violation of this Division. Posting of occupancy load certificate. It shall be unlawful to operate or use any place of assembly unless the certificate required by Subsection (a) of this Section is conspicuously posted. Audiences to be informed of exits. It shall be the duty of the person in charge of any theatre or place of public assembly to call the attention of those present, immediately prior to the beginning of the play, address or other matter of proceedings for which the people are assembled, to the number and location of the several exits in the building or hall and to state that the doors to all such exits are unlocked. Before making such announcement, it shall be the duty of such person to make an actual inspection to verify the fact or to see that said doors are unlocked. It shall be the duty of the person in charge of every public or private assembly to call the attention of everyone present at a performance, address, exhibition or other matter of proceeding to the exits by displaying or announcing the following: The requirement for calling the attention to everyone present in any public or private assembly shall be considered complied with by one of the following: Oral announcement of the above notice from stage, platform or floor at the beginning of every performance, address, exhibition, contest or other matter of proceedings. Showing the above notice on cinema screen where moving or stereopticon pictures are shown. Printing the above notice in bold-type letters not less than one-fourth (1/4) inch in height on the back of programs for such performances, matters or other proceedings, and nothing but the said notice shall be place thereon. Having a fixed sign or signs displaying the above notice printed in letters of a size and clearness that can be easily read from any and every point in the assembly room. Interior finish. Walls, ceilings, and floor covering shall be in accordance with the interior finish requirements listed in NFPA-101, Life Safety Code. Decorations, defined. Decorative material shall include, but not be limited to, all such materials as curtains, draperies, streamers, surface coverings applied over interior finish for decorative, acoustical or other effect and also cloth, cotton batting, straw, vines, leaves, trees, and moss used for decorative effect, but it shall not include floor coverings, ordinary window shades, and materials one twenty-eighth (1/28) of an inch or less in thickness applied directly and adhering tightly to a noncombustible base. Use of flammable material. No decorative materials shall be used which, as applied, will ignite and allow flame to spread over the surface or allows burning particles to drop when exposed to a match-flame test applied to a piece removed from the material and tested in a safe place. The piece shall be held in a vertical position and the bottom edge exposed to a flame from a common match held in a horizontal position, one-fourth (1/4) inch underneath the piece, and at a constant location for a minimum of twelve (12) seconds. Renewal of flameproofing treatments. Treatments used to accomplish this flameproofing shall be renewed as often as may be necessary to maintain the flameproof effect. Pyroxylin-coated fabrics. Pyroxylin-coated fabric used as a decorative material in accordance with Subsection (g) of this Section or as a surface covering on fixed furnishings shall be limited as follows: Such fabrics containing 1.4 ounces or more cellulose nitrate per square yard shall not be used in excess of a total amount equivalent to one (1) square foot of fabric surface to fifteen (15) cubic feet of room volume. Each square foot of such fabric which contains 1.7 ounces or more of cellulose nitrate per square yard shall be counted as two (2) square feet in making this computation. Flammable screens. In places of assembly no motion picture screen or screen masking shall be used which will ignite and allow flame to spread over the surface when exposed to the match-flame test described in Subsection (h) of this Section. Checking egress facilities. The operator or the person in charge of operation of use of any place or assembly shall check egress facilities before such place of assembly is occupied for any use to determine compliance with the provisions of this Section. Locking of egress doors. During the period of occupancy, an egress door shall not be locked, bolted, or otherwise fastened or obstructed by any means so that the door cannot be opened from the inside by the use of the ordinary door latch or knob or by pressure on the door or on a panic release device. Aisles. In each room where chairs, tables and chairs or lounges and benches are used, the arrangement shall be such as to provide for ready access to aisles to each egress door. Aisles leading directly to an egress door shall have not less than thirty-six (36) inches clear width which shall not be obstructed by chairs, tables, or other objects. Obstructions. A part of a stairway, whether interior or exterior, or of a hallway, corridor, vestibule, balcony, or bridge leading to stairway or exit way shall not be used in any way that will obstruct or restrict its use as a means of egress, or that will present a hazardous condition. Stopping of performance by Fire Chief or authorized representative. The Fire Chief or authorized representative, upon finding any overcrowding conditions or obstructions in aisles, passageways, or other means of egress or upon finding any condition which constitutes a serious menace to life shall cause the performance, presentation, spectacle, or entertainment to be stopped until such condition or obstruction is corrected. Failure to leave premises when requested to do so. Any person who fails to leave any premises that is overcrowded, when told to do so by the management of the premises or any authorized representative of the Fire/EMS Department, shall be deemed in violation of this Subtitle.

Posting. Hotels, motels, multifamily dwellings, lodging houses, and all other residential occupancies except one- and two-family dwellings shall have a printed copy of fire safety instructions permanently and conspicuously posted in each occupancy unit and at such other locations as required by the Fire Chief or authorized representative. The text and posting location shall be subject to the approval of the Fire Chief or authorized representative. Unauthorized removal of such signs shall be a violation of this Subtitle. EXAMPLE: Fire Plans. Upon request of the Fire Chief, the person responsible for fire safety in all buildings more than seventy-five (75) feet in height above average grade, buildings serving as housing for senior citizens, buildings housing institutional or educational occupancies, or such other buildings as may be required by the Fire Chief or authorized representative, shall prepare a written plan which details adequate procedures for occupants in case of fire. The plan shall be transmitted to the Fire Chief or authorized representative for approval. After approval, the plan shall be distributed to appropriate occupants of the building.

Requirements for multifamily apartment houses, hotels, motels, and dormitories. Multifamily apartment house. It shall be the responsibility of the owner of each new or existing multifamily apartment house to install smoke alarms in each such multifamily dwelling unit intended to be used or originally built or designed to be used for residential purposes, not to include any dwelling unit within any structure which has been wholly converted to a nonresidential use. They shall be installed by July 1, 1978, in the manner hereinafter provided unless any other provision of County, State or federal law shall require installation before that date. Hotels, motels, and dormitories. The owner of each new or existing hotel, motel and dormitory shall install smoke alarms in each sleeping area. They shall be installed in existing buildings by July 1, 1980, in the manner hereinafter provided, unless any other provision of County, State or federal law shall require installation before that date. Location. At least one (1) smoke alarm shall be installed in close proximity to the access for each sleeping area. Installation. Smoke alarms may be directly hard wired to the building's power supply and have a battery-powered back-up. The batteries shall be in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. Maintenance of smoke alarms in multifamily apartment houses, hotels, motels, and dormitories. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner or agent to annually inspect and maintain any smoke alarm device, installed in compliance with the provisions of this Section, in accordance with the manufacturer's warranty and/or suggested maintenance schedule. In addition, the property owner shall provide any tenant access to a copy of the maintenance schedule, operating manual, and any other instructional or precautionary literature which the manufacturer may supply with the unit. Supervision. In new multifamily apartment houses, motels, hotels, and dormitories which have a required manual fire alarm system, a heat detector shall be installed next to the required smoke alarm(s) and the heat detector shall be connected to the manual fire alarm system. Certification at change in occupancy. At every change of occupancy or tenancy in any multifamily dwelling unit occasioned by or incidental to a sale, lease, sublease, or change in tenancy, it shall be the duty of the grantor thereof to certify to the tenant, at the time of conveyance and before occupancy, that all smoke alarms as required by this Section (or other applicable laws) are installed and in proper working condition. Other standards applicable. This Section is intended to be used with and supplemented by the applicable provisions of National Fire Protection Association Standard NFPA-72. Requirements for one- and two-family residential dwellings. The requirements for installation and maintenance of smoke alarms in one- and two-family residential dwellings shall be as prescribed by Title 9, Public Safety Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, as may be amended from time to time. As of July 1, 1982, Section 12A, as amended by Chapter 340 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 1982, requires that in one- and two-family residential dwellings the occupant of each dwelling unit shall be responsible for installing and maintaining at least one approved battery or AC primary electric-powered smoke alarm. Replacement. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to replace any smoke alarm(s) as specified by the manufacturer. All multi-family dwellings shall have battery back-up smoke alarms in the manner specified by this Subtitle by January 1, 2007.

Compliance required. The owner, lessee or person(s) in control of the facilities for the storage and dispensing of flammable liquids shall follow the provisions of NFPA-30 and NFPA-329 as adopted under this Division and the procedures hereinafter set forth, and shall assume any cost related thereto; provided, however, that where compliance requires the making of additions to or changes in the structure of the facility, such as would immediately become real estate and be the property of the owner of the real property, the order shall affect the owner and not the lessee or other person(s) in control of the facility, unless it is otherwise agreed between the owner and lessee or other person(s) in control of the facility. This Section shall apply to any facility used for the storage of flammable liquids when in the judgment of the Fire Chief or authorized representative there is evidence of a leak and hazard to life. Farm operations shall be exempt from this Section. The determination of a farm operation shall be the same as shown by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation. Tanks to which requirements apply. Unless otherwise indicated, testing requirements of this Section shall not apply to tanks and equipment made of fiberglass or other noncorrosive material subject to the approval of the Fire Chief or authorized representative. New or replacement installation. Before any tanks and equipment for the storage and dispensing of flammable liquids are covered from sight following installation, the Fire Chief or authorized representative shall inspect the installation and give approval therefor if the requirements of this Section have been met. Tanks that have been glass lined (fiberglass) shall be tested as if a new tank. A record of tank size, name of manufacturer, and serial number shall be placed on a correction order after test for tightness is finished. Tanks in service, inventory records, and pressure testing pipe. Accurate inventory control records for the purpose of detecting system leakage shall be maintained by the person(s) or company in control of the premises for each underground storage facility in accordance with NFPA-30 and NFPA-329 as adopted by this Division. The person(s) or company in control of the premises shall promptly report any significant loss of product to the Fire Chief or authorized representative, in accordance with standards established by the Fire Chief or authorized representative for the facility. The person(s) or company shall make and record daily measurements of product inventory. These inventory control records shall be available for checking by the Fire Chief or authorized representative upon request. All piping in remote pumping installations in existence on March 1, 1977, shall be subjected to a pressure test for at least thirty (30) minutes pneumatically to 110% of the maximum anticipated pressure of the system, but not less than five (5) pounds per square inch at the highest point of the system within two (2) years of March 1, 1977. Such tests shall be repeated on all such systems at intervals no greater than five (5) years. The date of the test, the pressure to which the system was tested, the duration and the results thereof shall be recorded and maintained until the date of the next test and shall be available upon request for inspection by the Fire Chief or authorized representative. Tanks in service; storage testing. All underground flammable liquid storage tanks which will have been buried for ten (10) years or more on March 1, 1977, and all those tanks for which no buried installation date can be reasonably determined, shall be tested for tightness according to the standards set forth in NFPA-329 as adopted by this Division. In the event that a "final test" is required on any buried storage tank prior to the expiration of the ten (10) years, a later test will not be required without cause until the expiration of five (5) years from the date of the test or the expiration of the tenth year of its installation, whichever occurs later. After the tenth year, "final tests" shall be repeated on all such tanks at intervals no greater than five (5) years without cause. The date of the test, the model and the type of the tester, the name of the operator of the equipment, the duration and results thereof shall be recorded and maintained until the date of the next test and shall be available for inspection by the Fire Chief or authorized representative. Testing for cause. Notwithstanding the foregoing requirements for testing piping and underground storage tanks, the Fire Chief or authorized representative may require a "final test" or its equivalent on any such system when he or she finds any of the following conditions exist: That inventory control records are improperly kept so that it cannot be determined whether a shortage of product exists. Inventory control records indicate a shortage of product. There is a detection of leakage. There is a persistent odor or presence of flammable liquids in any structure, building, vault, well, or unapproved location within Prince George's County. Underground flammable liquids storage tanks out of service. Underground tanks which are not in active service shall be treated as "temporarily out of service" by taking the following steps: Notify the Office of the Fire Marshal of intent to render the tank inactive. Secure the fill-line cap, gauge-opening cap, and pump suction or discharge line, if disconnected, against tampering and product leakage. Assure that the vent line is open. Purge the tank. An underground tank shall not be left in "temporarily out of service" condition in excess of twelve (12) months. If it is to be returned to service, the final test shall be applied as outlined in Section VII of NFPA-329. Abandoned underground flammable liquid tanks. Underground tanks which are not in active service and which do not comply with Section VII of NFPA-329 shall be removed in accordance with Appendix C-4 and C-5 of NFPA-30. Tanks shall not be abandoned by leaving in place without the express approval of the Fire Chief or authorized representative. Corrosion protection. Corrosion protection for tanks and piping shall be provided by one (1) or more of the following methods: Cathodic protection; Corrosion resistant materials or construction; Use of protective coating or wrappings. Selection of the type of protection to be employed should be based upon the corrosion history of the geographical soil area and the judgment of a qualified corrosion engineer. All establishments storing or handling flammable materials shall be plainly marked with signs at entrances to storage or use areas and at such other points as may be recommended by the Fire Chief or authorized representative. Filling and emptying connections for Class IA, IB, and IC liquids which are made and broken shall be located outside of buildings at a location free from any source of ignition and not less than five (5) feet away from any building opening. Such connections for any liquid shall be closed and liquid tight when not in use and shall be properly identified by color and/or wording or other means approved by the Fire Chief or authorized representative. The dispensing of gasoline, or any product mixing gasoline with another flammable or combustible liquid, into any portable container, and the transportation of such product in a portable container, is subject to the limits of Class I-A liquids under Table 9.4.3, NFPA-30, with the exception that glass and plastic containers are prohibited unless they bear a label of approval to contain gasoline from a recognized testing laboratory approved by the Fire Chief or authorized representative. Storage of Class I liquids, as defined in NFPA-30, in any tank or container that is fixed rather than portable, is prohibited on any residential property which does not include farm operations. The determination of a farm operation shall be the same as shown by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation. Storage of Class I liquids, as defined by NFPA-30, is prohibited in a single-family dwelling except for the following: The storage or use of flammable or combustible liquids in the fuel tank of a motor vehicle, aircraft, motorboat, mobile power plant or mobile heating plant. The storage or use of paints, oils, varnishes, or similar flammable mixtures when such liquids are stored for maintenance, painting or similar purposes for a period of not more than thirty (30) days. Up to five (5) gallons of such Class I liquids in a garage or other attached storage area. Storage of Class I liquids, as defined by NFPA-30, is prohibited in any multiple-family dwelling.

Generally. Above-ground storage tanks for the storage of Class I flammable and Class II liquids, as defined in NFPA-30, shall be prohibited except as provided for in Subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this Section. Existing tanks. Existing above-ground tanks approved by the Fire Chief or authorized representative may be continued, provided that the installation does not constitute a hazard. The Fire Chief or authorized representative shall periodically inspect the installation for safety; if it is determined that the installation or operation is no longer conducted or maintained in a safe manner, the Fire Chief or authorized representative shall have the authority to require their removal or replacement with underground tanks. Agricultural storage. On-farm portable tanks not exceeding six hundred sixty (660) gallons of Class I liquid are hereby permitted, if stored fifty (50) feet or more away from buildings and adjoining property lines. Temporary use of portable tanks. The provisions of Subsection (a) of this Section shall not prohibit the temporary use of portable tanks less than six hundred sixty (660) gallons capacity in conjunction with the dispensing of flammable or combustible liquids into the fuel tanks of motor vehicles or other motorized equipment on premises not normally accessible to the public, not to exceed six (6) months use. Outside tanks supplying oil burning equipment. Outside above-ground tanks not exceeding five hundred fifty (550) gallons capacity may be used to supply oil burning equipment in one- or two-family detached dwellings. Bulk storage. Above-ground tanks for bulk storage of Class II combustible liquids shall have a maximum capacity of six hundred and sixty (660 gallons). Above-ground tanks may be established in noncongested areas when the Fire Chief or authorized representative finds that installation will not adversely affect the safety of surrounding property. Above-ground tanks shall be located at least three hundred (300) feet from a dwelling unit, school, outdoor playground, library or hospital when the Fire Chief or authorized representative finds that the installation will not adversely affect the safety of the surrounding property. These installations shall be equipped with fixed fire extinguishing systems, cut-off valves and such other safeguards as may be deemed necessary by the Fire Chief or other authorized representative.

No tank vehicle used for the transportation of flammable liquids shall be left unattended on any street, highway, avenue, or alley; provided that this shall not prevent a driver from the necessary absence from the truck in connection with the delivery of his load, except that during actual discharge of the liquid some responsible person shall be present at the vehicle. This Section shall not be construed to prevent stops for meals during the day or night if the street is well lighted at the point of parking. Tank vehicles containing flammable liquids shall not be parked out of doors at any point for longer than one (1) hour, except off the streets, and at least twenty-five (25) feet from any building used for assembly, institutional, or residential occupancy.

The use in buildings, private residences and trailers of gasoline stoves or other similar appliances using Class I liquids as defined in NFPA-30 for cooking or heating is prohibited.

Safeguarding of premises. All spaces at bulk storage plants within which liquified petroleum gases are transferred or stored, including all connections to storage tanks, shall be segregated with fences approved by the Fire Chief or authorized representative. The gates in such fences shall be kept locked at all times when no responsible person or agent is present. Safeguarding of customers' supply tanks. Tanks supplying customers' installations shall be located outside of buildings. All valves and connections thereon shall be safeguarded by an enclosure approved by the Fire Chief or authorized representative. Installations with an aggregate water capacity of greater than two thousand (2,000) gallons shall have the area, which includes the tank and container appurtenances, enclosed with at least six (6) foot high industrial-type fence unless otherwise adequately protected. Gates shall be locked at all times when no responsible person or agent is present. Special requirements in the case of bulk storage (two thousand (2,000) gallons aggregate water capacity or more) in heavily populated or congested areas. Determination as to individual tank capacity, total storage, distance to property lines, underground storage, fixed fire suppression systems, or other reasonable protective measures shall be made by the Fire Chief or authorized representative. Containers in residential buildings. Liquid petroleum gas containers stored in a building housing residential occupancies shall be limited to two (2) ICC-DOT cylinders with a water capacity not exceeding two and one-half (2 1/2) pounds which shall be part of an approved, self-contained hand torch assembly or similar appliance.

Notice when gas is shut off. Any person shutting off gas to any building or structure shall notify the company supplying such gas within thirty (30) minutes. Shutoff valves are to be accessible; curb keys. No person shall make gas shutoff valves inaccessible to the Fire/EMS Department. The local provider of gas or gas utility, upon request, shall furnish appropriate curb keys to the Fire/EMS Department.

Storage containers. Cylinders and pressure vessels for compressed gases shall be designed, constructed, tested and maintained in accordance with nationally recognized good practice. Each cylinder, pressure vessel or group of containers shall be marked with the name of the gas contained therein in accordance with approved methods. Storage and use. All compressed gas cylinders in service or in storage shall be secured to prevent falling or being knocked over.

Notification. Public Safety Communications shall be notified, in writing, at least twenty-four (24) hours before any fumigation operation in accordance with the provisions of NFPA-560.

Use and possession of fireworks, prohibited with exception. It is unlawful for any person to manufacture, possess, store, offer for sale, expose for sale, sell, discharge, use, burn, or explode any fireworks in Prince George's County, Maryland, except that an authorized display may be conducted by a fireworks shooter. Storage for purposes of authorized display. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Division, fireworks brought into Prince George's County, Maryland, by a fireworks shooter for the purpose of an authorized display may be stored under the following conditions: The place or places to be used for storage of fireworks have been previously approved by the Office of the Fire Marshal for Prince George's County. The Office of the Fire Marshal has received notification from the fireworks shooter at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of the time that fireworks for an authorized display will be brought into the County.

Open burning means a fire, where material is burned on the ground or in an open receptacle without a chimney or stack. Small recreational fires, including campfires, are considered open burning. Where permitted by the provisions of Section 19-104, and 19-105 of this County Code, burning by open fires shall be subject to the following conditions: Open fires shall be attended at all times by a person eighteen (18) years of age or older, who is in direct view of the fire. The fire shall be attended until completely extinguished. Garbage, dead animals, animal waste, tires, plastic, rubber, and other materials which create dense smoke or emissions injurious or noxious to people or property shall not be burned. It shall be unlawful for any person to kindle any open fire, except cooking fires or recreational fires, without first notifying Public Safety Communications of such burning. Where the burning continues for more than one (1) day, Public Safety Communications shall be notified prior to 8 A.M. on each day of burning. Cooking fires shall burn the following fuels: (1) clean firewood (2) dried firewood (3) charcoal or as determined by the Fire Chief or the Fire Chief's designee. The Fire Chief or authorized representative may prohibit such burning at any time it is determined that the kindling of an open fire creates a fire hazard. Except for those fires used for cooking food on property occupied by a single-family dwelling, open fires shall be not less than thirty (30) feet from any building or structure. A clear space free of ignitable materials not less than ten (10) feet in diameter shall be maintained around the fire. The burning of materials of any kind on or within thirty (30) feet of any public roads, streets, highways, alleys, sidewalks, and public rights-of-way shall be prohibited at all times. Where open burning is being conducted under the terms of a permit issued by the Prince George's County Health Department, the permittee shall be personally responsible for the fire at all times. The permit shall be in the possession of the person supervising the burning at all times. No persons shall kindle a fire upon the land of another without permission of the owner thereof or the owner's agent. Recreational fires shall be no larger than three (3) feet in diameter. A way to extinguish a fire shall be available at all open burn sites. Recreational fires shall not be used to dispose of leaves, branches, brush or other vegetation. Only dry, natural wood may be burned in a recreational fire. Recreational fires are prohibited during drought conditions, if winds are greater than twelve (12) miles per hour (mph) or during an air pollution event. An air pollution event is when the air quality has been designated Code Red or Code Orange. Fires in salamanders or other similar devices, fired with propane or No. 2 fuel oil at construction sites, are permitted. Fires in fixed or portable outdoor fireplaces, chimineas, and other similar devices are permitted. Fires, described in subsection (d), shall be fueled only by seasoned dry firewood, used in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines and are subject to the following conditions: Fires shall be attended at all times by a person eighteen (18) years of age or older who is in direct view of the fire. The fire shall be attended until it is completely extinguished. A fire extinguisher or hose must be available during use of the devices described in subsection (d). Fires shall be at least thirty (30) feet from any structure. Fires are not permitted on any balcony or deck. The Fire Chief or the Fire Chief's designee may prohibit such fires at any time the Fire Chief or his designee determines that their use creates a fire hazard. Fires in these devices, described in subsection (d), are prohibited on or within thirty (30) feet of any public roads, streets, highways, alleys, sidewalks, and public rights-of-way. No person shall use these devices, described in subsection (d), upon the land of another without permission of the owner thereof or the owner's agent. Smoke emissions from any allowed fire must not consistently exceed twenty percent (20%) opacity, as determined by the Fire Chief or the Fire Chief's designee. Fires where visible smoke steadily conveys across property lines are prohibited. No fires shall be left to smolder. All fires shall be fully extinguished with zero smoke emissions. Smoke from fuel cooked fires, as permitted by State and local law, is exempt from subsection (e). Fixed, portable fireplaces and pits fueled by gas or propane are permitted at single family dwellings or townhouses when used in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines. The devices described in subsection (f) are subject to the following conditions: The device shall be attended at all times by a person eighteen (18) years of age or older, who is in direct view of the device. A fire extinguisher or hose shall be available during use of the devices described in subsection (f). A device, described in subsection (f), used on a deck shall be at least ten (10) feet from single family dwellings or townhouses. The combustion area shall not be in direct contact with combustible decking. The Fire Chief, or the Fire Chief's designee, may prohibit the use of such devices, described in subsection (f), at any time the Fire Chief, or the Fire Chief's designee determines that the use creates a fire hazard. Use of these devices, described in subsection (f), are prohibited on or within thirty (30) feet of any public roads, streets, highways, alleys, sidewalks, and public rights-of-way. No person shall use these devices upon the property of another without permission of the owner thereof or the owner's agent.

The use or storage of charcoal burning, other fuel-burning, or electric-cooking equipment outside of any multifamily dwelling shall be prohibited unless such cooking equipment is permanently installed at a fixed location at least thirty (30) feet from every part of the building, including contiguous patios and balconies. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to townhouses, row houses, or other multifamily dwellings where all dwelling units are side by side and none are superimposed above another. For purposes of fire safety, patios and balconies open to the exterior will be considered separate spaces from the dwelling unit, and cooking equipment as described above, flammables or combustibles stored will be subject to removal by management and/or the Office of the Fire Marshal.

In buildings, trailers and other confined areas, the use or storage of charcoal fire stoves or cooking appliances shall be prohibited, except where such appliance is provided with a U.L. or other nationally recognized approved system to vent gaseous combustion products directly to the outside.

Portable heaters shall be designed with a tip-over shutoff function and located so that they cannot be easily overturned. The Fire Chief or authorized representative may prohibit use of portable heaters in occupancies or situations in which such use or operation would present danger to life or the property of others.

All premises, other than those for one- and two-family dwellings where buildings or portions of buildings are constructed and located in such a manner that access to public fire hydrants is minimal or of a distance such that the Fire Chief or authorized representative finds that firefighting operations would be impaired, shall be provided with approved fire hydrants connected to a water supply system capable of supplying the water flow required by the Fire Chief or authorized representative. The location of these hydrants shall be as specified by the Fire Chief or authorized representative. Paved access to fire hydrants shall be as specified by the Fire Chief or authorized representative. Paved access to fire hydrants shall be provided and maintained to accommodate fire apparatus. All premises, other than those for one- and two-family dwellings where buildings or portions of buildings are constructed and located more than three hundred (300) feet from the public street providing access to such premises and said public street has fire hydrants, shall be provided with approved fire hydrants connected to a water system capable of supplying the water flow required by the Fire Chief or authorized representative. In no case shall the water flow be less than one thousand (1,000) gallons per minute at a residual pressure of twenty (20) psi. The Fire Chief or authorized representative may require a greater minimum flow for high-hazard occupancies. The location of such hydrants shall be as designated by the Fire Chief or authorized representative. Access to fire hydrants shall be provided and maintained to accommodate firefighting apparatus. All flammable and combustible liquid tank farms, lumber yards, amusement parks, and similar occupancies, where combustible or flammable storage or structures are located more than three hundred (300) feet from public fire hydrants, shall be provided with approved fire hydrants connected to a water system capable of supplying the water flow required by the Fire Chief or authorized representative. The location of such hydrants shall be as designated by the Fire Chief or authorized representative. Suitable access to fire hydrants shall be provided and maintained to accommodate the fire apparatus. Supplemental water supply facilities shall be provided in those cases where the water supply obtainable from the public water supply system is insufficient to meet the requirements of this Section. The Fire Chief or authorized representative may establish water supply requirements in those cases where specific provisions are not provided in this Section. If the location of the property is located outside the appropriate service area of the Ten Year Water and Sewerage Plan or is in the Rural Tier, the property must be served by water storage tanks, the availability of water tanker trucks, or other appropriate source of water for fire extinguishing purposes, as determined at the time of subdivision. There shall be no parking within fifteen (15) feet of any public or private hydrant.

No person shall place or keep any post, fence, growth, trash or other material or thing near any fire hydrant or Fire/EMS Department connection, which would prevent fire officials from discerning such hydrant or connection, or would in any other manner deter or hinder them from immediate access to and use thereof.

All structures, presently standing and those to be constructed which contain more than one (1) numerical address, and are used for either commercial, industrial or residential purposes, are required to have displayed in a conspicuous place numerals at least eight (8) inches in height designating the building numbers in sequence. Such numerals shall be placed facing each vehicular access route from which they are reasonably visible.

All private fire hydrants shall be tested, maintained, and serviced annually by the property owner. A report of this maintenance shall be made available to the Office of the Fire Marshal upon request.

All premises which the Fire/EMS Department may be called upon to protect in case of fire or other emergencies and which are not readily accessible to fire apparatus from public streets shall be provided with suitable gates, access roads, and fire lanes so that all buildings on the premises are accessible to fire apparatus, and in accordance with the County Building Code, Subtitle 4, Section 4-223. Private roads or fire lanes shall be provided for all buildings which are set back more than one hundred fifty (150) feet from a public street or exceed thirty (30) feet in height and are set back over fifty (50) feet from a public street. Private roads or fire lanes shall be: Along the longest side of the buildings; At least twenty-two (22) feet in width; and At the road edge nearest to the building no closer than ten (10) feet and no further than forty (40) feet from the building. When buildings or any portion thereof are located one hundred fifty (150) feet or more from a public street or access way and there is not suitable access for fire apparatus as determined by the Fire Chief or authorized representative, there shall be provided approved fire protection system or systems as required and approved by the Fire Chief or authorized representative. All buildings, parts of buildings, or other obstructions extending over access driveways shall have a vertical clearance of a least fourteen (14) feet from the finished driveway surface. Where approved fire protection systems are provided, the above required clearances may be modified or waived by the Fire Chief or authorized representative. When any portion of the first story of any building is more than three hundred (300) feet from the nearest point of a public street or public access way, the building shall be made accessible to fire apparatus by an all-weather access way approved by the Fire Chief or authorized representative, unless the entire building is served by an approved fire protection system. The provisions of Subsection (b) of this Section shall not apply to buildings for which building permits were issued before the effective date of this Section. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to residential occupancies as defined in the International Building Code adopted by Subtitle 4 of this County Code which both are not physically attached or touching and also contain two or fewer dwelling units each. All turning radius for emergency vehicles shall comply with the Prince George's County Department of Transportation standards 200.12 (Urban Cul-de-sac Offset Turnaround) and 200.13 (Urban Cul-de-sac Symmetrical Turnaround).

The owner of any property or his agent may remove or cause to be removed all obstructions or vehicles which are: Liable to interfere with the operations of the Fire/EMS Department or egress of occupants in the event of a fire or other emergency; or In violation of any fire, health, or safety ordinance. Where the obstruction is a motor vehicle which is to be towed from the premises, the owner or agent must specifically, in each case, give prior written authorization to the person towing, setting forth the tag number of the motor vehicle or an adequate description and the certification that the owner or agent (other than person towing) has found the motor vehicle in an area clearly marked as a fire lane or has blocked an access to an area which is clearly marked as a fire lane. The aforesaid owner or agent may impound or cause to be impounded all such obstructions or vehicles removed or caused to be removed under this Section. The impoundment of a motor vehicle pursuant to this Subsection is subject to the right to a hearing as prescribed in Division 18 of Subtitle 26 of this Code except that the owner of the premises shall carry the burden of establishing that there was probable cause to impound the vehicle in question and shall be liable for all charges incident to the impoundment and the hearing if the hearing officer determines that there was not probable cause to impound the vehicle in question. The owner or his agent, upon failure to have removed all such obstructions or vehicles within a reasonable time after actual knowledge thereof, shall be guilty of a violation of this Subtitle. Whenever the Fire Chief or authorized representative shall find that any private entrance, exit sidewalk, vehicular driveway, interior private driveway, sidewalk, fire lane, or fire hydrant is obstructed by snow, debris, construction material, trash containers, vehicles, or other matter likely to interfere with the ingress or operation of the Fire/EMS Department or other emergency vehicles in case of fire, or other emergency, the Fire Chief or authorized representative may order the obstruction removed. To effectuate this Subsection, the Fire Chief or authorized representative may order "no parking fire lane" signs erected at the curb line, at no distance greater than thirty-five (35) feet between signs, and may designate the placement thereof. When placed on a pole, post or building, approved fire lane signs shall be placed at seven (7) feet to the bottom of the sign from finished curb height. The approved sign shall comply with the Department of Public Works and Transportation standard with an inscription stating, "NO PARKING, FIRE LANE, BY ORDER OF PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENT." The curbs of the approved fire lane shall be painted with yellow traffic paint which shall meet the requirements of Federal Specification TT-P-1952D, Type II. Any vehicle which is located within the area controlled by such signs or marking, on private property or otherwise, whether or not the owner, operator, or custodian of such vehicle has actual or constructive notice of the vehicle location or posted signs or markings, shall be deemed parked in violation of this Subtitle. Any vehicle, on private property or otherwise, which is located in such a manner that it would obstruct or interfere with the connection of a hose to a fire hydrant, whether or not the owner, operator, or custodian of such vehicle has actual or constructive notice of the vehicle location, shall be deemed parked in violation of this Subtitle. Any person responsible for the parking of a vehicle in violation of this Subsection or any person refusing to obey a lawful order of the Fire Chief or authorized representative under this Subsection shall be guilty of a violation of this Subtitle. Upon violation, any police officer or fire official shall have the authority to remove or cause to be removed such vehicle parked in violation of this Subsection and impound it pursuant to Division 18 of Subtitle 26 of this Code. All persons towing vehicles while enforcing this Subsection shall be required to report the impoundment of said vehicles to the Police Department in compliance with Section 26-142.06 of this Code and to comply with any other applicable County laws. Any person issued a citation for a violation of this Section shall, in addition to any other penalties, be subject to a fine of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) for each violation. The violator shall pay the fine at the Treasury Division, Office of Finance, within fifteen (15) days from the date of notice of violation. The first Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) of revenue collected from fines imposed by this Section shall be used for operating and capital expenses related to Advanced Life Support (Paramedic) Mobile Intensive Care Unit services provided by Prince George's County. Thereafter, one half of the revenue collected shall be used for this purpose. After the first Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) is collected, one half of the revenues from the fines imposed by this Section shall be used for operating and capital expenses of the Police Department.

Standards. All construction and demolition operations for buildings that exceed five hundred (500) square feet in floor area shall be conducted in accordance with NFPA-241, Safeguarding Building Construction and Demolition Operations. Combustible waste and refuse. Debris, trash or other combustible waste or refuse which creates or tends to create an undue fire hazard shall not be allowed to accumulate in, on, or about, any building or structure in the process of construction or demolition. Fire extinguishing equipment. Whenever any building or structure which is being constructed or erected is over two (2) stories in height and the construction reaches a height of twenty-five (25) feet above average grade, at least one (1) approved Class ABC fire extinguisher of 2-A:10-B:C Rating shall be provided for every three thousand (3,000) square feet, or fraction thereof, of floor area under construction. Standpipes. Whenever the Building Code requires a standpipe system, such system shall be carried up each floor and shall be installed and ready for use by the Fire/EMS Department as each floor progresses. Standpipes shall not be more than (1) floor below the highest forms or staging. Standpipes and fire extinguishing systems in buildings under demolition. When a building is being demolished and a standpipe or fire extinguishing system is existing within such building, such standpipe and/or fire extinguishing system shall be maintained in an operable condition so as to be available for use by the Fire/EMS Department. Such standpipe and/or extinguishing system shall be demolished with the building, but at no time during demolition shall the system or systems be more than one (1) floor below the floor being demolished. Installation of fire protection facilities for new construction. When fire protection facilities are to be installed for new construction, such facilities, including all surface access roads and public water mains with appropriate fire hydrants, shall be installed and made serviceable prior to and during the time of any combustible construction.

Applicability of Section. This Section shall apply to chemicals or substances not otherwise covered in this Division which are highly flammable, or which may react to cause fires or explosions, or which by their presence create or augment a fire or explosion hazard, or which because of the toxicity, flammability, or liability to explosion render firefighting abnormally dangerous or difficult. This Section shall apply also to flammable or combustible liquids which are chemically unstable and which may spontaneously form explosive compounds or undergo spontaneous reactions of explosive violence or with sufficient evolution of heat to be a fire hazard. Safeguards for manufacture, storage, handling, and use. The manufacture, storage, handling, and use of hazardous chemicals or substances shall be safeguarded by such protective facilities as public safety requires, including, but not limited to, the following: The Fire Chief or authorized representative may require the separation or isolation of hazardous chemicals or substances or any chemical or substance that in combination with other substances may bring about a fire or explosion or may liberate a flammable or poisonous gas. The Fire Chief or authorized representative may require hazardous chemicals or substances to be separated from other storage, occupancies, or buildings when the quantity stored constitutes a danger to life or property. Defective containers which permit leakage or spillage of hazardous chemicals or substances shall be disposed of or repaired in accordance with recognized safe practices; leakage or spillage of hazardous chemicals or substances shall not be allowed to accumulate on floors or shelves. For purposes of this Section, regulations developed by the Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Maryland Department of Natural Resources shall constitute "recognized safe practices." Where kept for retail sale in containers or packages usual to the retail trade, storage of hazardous chemicals or substances shall be neat and orderly and shelves used for such storage shall be of substantial construction. Legible warning signs and/or placards stating the nature and location of the hazardous chemicals or substances shall be posted at all entrances to areas where such chemicals or substances are stored or used.

Storage facilities required. Every building, except a one- or two-family dwelling, shall be provided with a specifically designated room or container in or on the premises for the temporary storage of combustible waste or refuse. The owner of said building shall provide the facilities for the storage of combustible waste or refuse. Storage of combustible waste. Combustible waste and refuse shall be stored in: Approved containers which are constructed of noncombustible materials equipped with a tight-fitting cover; or An approved bin constructed of noncombustible materials having a self-closing cover that will operate automatically in case of fire inside the bin; or Rooms used exclusively for such storage; or Such other containers or isolated areas either inside or outside of buildings that are approved by the Fire Chief or authorized representative. Automatic fire extinguishing system. An automatic fire extinguishing system shall be provided in all inside storage rooms or areas, chute discharge rooms or areas, compactor rooms and rubbish chutes designated for the temporary storage of combustible waste or refuse. Closure of containers. Storage containers for inside use not equipped with approved automatic closing covers shall be closed at all times except when trash is actually being loaded or unloaded. Accumulation in trash chutes. Combustible waste or refuse shall not be stored or permitted to accumulate in trash chutes and shall be removed from the chute continuously or as often as necessary to prevent accumulation.

Designated areas where smoking prohibited. Where smoking constitutes a fire hazard in any area of piers, wharves, warehouses, stores, industrial plants, institutions, schools, places of assembly, and/or open spaces where combustible materials are stored or handled, the Fire Chief or authorized representative is empowered and authorized to order the owner or occupant, in writing, to post "no smoking" signs in each building, structure, room, or place in which smoking shall be prohibited. Such signs shall be conspicuously and suitably located. The Fire Chief or authorized representative shall designate specific safe locations, if necessary, in any building, structure, or place in which smoking may be permitted. Form of "no smoking" signs. The lettering, size, color, and location of legally required "no smoking" signs shall be subject to the approval of the Fire Chief or authorized representative. Removal of signs prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to remove, mutilate, or destroy any legally required "no smoking" sign. Compliance with "no smoking" signs. It shall be unlawful for any person to smoke, throw, or deposit any lighted or smoldering substance in any place where "no smoking" signs are posted or in any other place where smoking would occasion or constitute a fire hazard.

Storage area. The area for storage of each lumber pile, whether in the open or under cover, shall not exceed four thousand (4,000) square feet. Such areas shall be so arranged that all lumber storage piles are separated either by a distance of fifteen (15) feet, a fire wall, storage of noncombustible materials, or any other approved fire break. No lumber pile shall be higher than its clear distance from the nearest adjoining property line and in no case shall the maximum height exceed fifteen (15) feet.

The equipment, processes, and operation of automobile tire rebuilding and recapping plants shall comply with the applicable requirements of this Division and the provisions of this Section. Buffing machines shall be located in a room separated from the remainder of the plant as required under Subtitle 4 of this County Code, and fire doors in such separations shall be maintained free of all obstructions at all times. Each machine shall be connected to an ample dust-collecting system in conformity with NFPA-91. Each room where rubber cement is used or mixed, or flammable or combustible solvents are applied, shall be equipped with approved mechanical or natural ventilation.

Wholesale storage, generally. At wholesale establishments and wherever matches exceeding sixty (60) matchman's gross (fourteen thousand four hundred (14,400) matches each gross) are stored, shipping containers containing matches shall be arranged in piles not exceeding ten (10) feet in height nor one thousand five hundred (1,500) cubic feet in volume with aisles at least four (4) feet wide. Where other materials or commodities are stored on the same floor with matches, a portion of the room shall be devoted to match storage exclusively, and a clear space of not less than four (4) feet shall be maintained between match storage and such other materials or commodities. Storage not to be near vertical openings. No matches shall be stored within ten (10) feet of any open elevator shaft, elevator shaft opening, open stairway or other vertical opening. Match bins required for broken containers. Where shipping containers containing matches are opened, the contents of such broken containers shall be removed and stored in metal or metal-lined bins equipped with self-closing metal or metal-lined covers. Storage by retailers. Where matches are sold at retail, original sealed packages may be stored on shelves. When such packages are broken, individual boxes shall be stored in metal-lined bins as described above.

All buildings or areas where waste paper, rags or other combustible materials are handled or stored, or where old motor vehicles or other old machinery are dismantled, stored, handled, sold or exchanged, shall comply with this Section. Construction and protection requirements. Buildings housing combustible junk or materials shall have windows or other openings for access for firefighting and clear aisles tributary to them shall be provided. No materials shall be located in a yard, nor shall any yard be operated, in a manner to expose adjoining properties to a fire hazard. Fire extinguishers. One approved Class ABC fire extinguisher of 2-A:10-B:C rating shall be provided for each two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet, or fraction thereof, of the junk yard. Access to area. No motor vehicle, or any part thereof, junk, or other waste material, shall be stored, displayed or kept in such a manner as to unnecessarily hinder or endanger firefighting operations. Aisles, driveways or passageways suitable for fire apparatus shall be provided to permit reasonable access to within one hundred fifty (150) feet of all parts of the yard for firefighting operations.

It shall be unlawful to store any motor vehicles or any other gasoline-powered equipment in any multifamily, hotel, motel, office, educational, family day care, assisted living, group home, board and care, or institutional occupancy, or any balcony attached thereto, except as follows: In a garage constructed in accordance with Subtitle 4 of this County Code; In a storage room, not containing other combustible materials, separated from other parts of the building by construction having a fire resistance rating of at least one (1) hour and communicating openings protected by approved self-closing fire doors and equipped with automatic fire extinguishing system. For purposes of fire safety, patios and balconies open to the exterior will be considered separate spaces from the dwelling unit, and motor vehicles or any other gasoline-powered equipment stored will be subject to removal by management and/or the Office of the Fire Marshal.

Generally. All occupancies containing cooking equipment in commercial, industrial, institutional, assembly, and similar cooking applications, other than installations for residential use, shall: Have hoods, ducts, and grease removal equipment installed in conformance with this Division and other applicable provisions of this County Code; and Have installed and maintain an automatic fire extinguishing system approved by the Fire Chief or authorized representative. Installation of automatic fire extinguishing systems. The system shall be installed by a contractor who has been certified by the manufacturer as competent to install the equipment. Such certification shall be available to the Fire Chief or authorized representative. Plans and specifications. Working plans and specifications shall be submitted to the Fire Chief or authorized representative for review and approval prior to installation. The plans shall include: A diagram of the area and equipment to be protected, including the dimensions of the hood and duct and all surfaces and appliances; Manufacturer and model number of the system or systems proposed; and A diagram of system piping and all component parts, including: Size and length of piping and pipe schedule; Size and number of elbows and tees; Model numbers and location of nozzles; Location and temperature of fusible links; Location of system canister; Location of manual means of activation; and Location and identity of any auxiliary equipment including gas and power (electric) shutoffs. Installation manual provided. At least one (1) current manufacturer's installation manual shall be provided to the Fire Chief for each system installed. Change from approved plans. Where field conditions necessitate change from the approved plans, the Fire Chief or authorized representative shall be consulted. Inspection. A final inspection of the installed system shall be made by the Fire Chief or authorized representative, which shall include witnessing of a test of the automatic and manual operating devices. The Fire Chief or authorized representative shall be notified twenty-four (24) hours prior to the test. Extinguishing systems shall be inspected at intervals required by the Fire Chief or authorized representative. The periodic inspection required in paragraph (3), above, shall be accomplished by a licensed fire extinguisher dealer or representative. Said inspection shall generate, on a form approved by the Fire Chief or authorized representative, a report on the condition of the system. The report shall be signed by this inspector and shall be forwarded to the Office of the Fire Marshal within five (5) days after inspection or servicing. Cleaning. All ducts, hoods, and grease collection equipment shall be cleaned not less than four (4) times a year.

Bowling alleys shall conform to provisions of this Section and all other applicable requirements of this County Code. Resurfacing and refinishing operations shall not be carried on while the establishment is open for business. Approved ventilation shall be provided. Heating, ventilation, or cooling systems employing recirculation of air shall not be operated during resurfacing and refinishing operations or within one (1) hour following the application of flammable finishes. All electric motors or other equipment in the area, which might be a source of ignition, shall be shut down and all smoking and use of open flames are prohibited during the application of flammable finishes and for one (1) hour thereafter.

Acceptance test, generally. It shall be unlawful to occupy any building, structure, or any portion thereof, until all required fire protection systems have been tested, accepted, and approved by the appropriate fire official. Whenever it is likely that Fire/EMS Department personnel may need to operate installed systems, the Fire/EMS Department will be trained regarding these systems by the manufacturer's representative or installers. Expenses. Inspection and tests of fire protection systems, devices, and equipment shall be conducted by and at the expense and risk of the owner or authorized representative. Notification to Public Safety Communications. When testing any fire protection system, device, or equipment which is connected to a central supervisory station or directly to the Fire/EMS Department, notification shall be given to Public Safety Communications at least thirty (30) minutes prior to initiation of the test. Frequency. The test pipe at the top of all fire extinguishing systems so equipped shall be operated at least once a year to determine that there is free flow at adequate pressure and that the supervisory service, if any exists, is operating properly. Fire pumps. All fire pumps that automatically supply water to fire extinguishing systems or standpipes shall be operated periodically and at least once every thirty (30) days to assure that the fire pumps are operating properly. Fire alarm systems (manual-pull stations). All interior fire alarm systems within all buildings shall be tested at least once every thirty (30) days. The use of the system for fire drill purposes shall be accepted as a test of only those parts of the system actually used in the drill procedure. Accurate logs shall be maintained on the premises indicating box number, location, date, and type of device tested. Any defect, modification, or repair shall be logged, and the log shall be available to the Fire Chief or authorized representative. Additionally, manual-pull stations shall be tested annually. Fire alarms (automatically activated). Fire warning systems and all alarms which monitor control valves and flow switches for fire protection and fire alarm equipment, and which transmit a signal to a central supervisory station, must be tested at least once a year. Notification shall be given as required under Subsection (c) of this Section. The Fire Chief or authorized representative may require the water control valves servicing the fire protection system(s) to be secured in an open position regardless of the supervision of said system. The ability to disable the redundant locking system shall be limited to that of the owner or occupant. When required by other sections of this Code, the Life Safety Code, or other adopted referenced Fire Codes, specific occupancies shall be required to provide portable fire extinguishers. It shall be required that no portable fire extinguisher rated less than 2-A:10-B:C be allowed, and such portable fire extinguishers, when required, shall be inspected and maintained in accordance with NFPA 10. Fire safety devices. Special fire safety devices including automatic smoke venting equipment, emergency generators, and any other special fire safety equipment required to be installed in any building, structure, or premises, shall be tested by the owner or authorized representative as prescribed by the Fire Chief or authorized representative. Test records. A complete written record of all tests and inspections required under this Section, including servicing, repairs, or replacement of any portion of the system governed under this Section, shall be maintained on the premises by the owner or occupant in charge of said premises, and all such records shall be submitted to the Fire Chief or authorized representative when requested for inspection and evaluation.

All fire protection systems, fire alarm systems, fire detection systems, fire and smoke ventilation systems, fixed fire and smoke ventilation systems, fixed fire communications systems, emergency lighting systems, devices, or units installed in compliance with any permit, law, or regulation shall be maintained in operative condition at all times, and it shall be unlawful for any owner or occupant to reduce the effectiveness of the fire protection system so required. This shall not prohibit the owner or occupant from temporarily reducing or discontinuing the fire protection system where necessary to make tests, repairs, alterations, or additions. Except for household fire warning systems, Public Safety Communications shall be notified thirty (30) minutes prior to any disconnection or interruption of protection, tests, repair, alterations, or initiation of additions, and shall be advised of the extent of and the reason for such work. The fire protection systems shall be promptly restored to working order, and Public Safety Communications shall be notified immediately when service is restored. When any required fire alarm, fire communication, fire extinguishing, fire protection, or first aid firefighting systems device, or unit, or part thereof, in any building or structure becomes inoperative, the Fire Chief or authorized representative may order said building or structure or portion thereof vacated until such inoperative system, device, or unit is repaired and returned to full service. The Fire Chief or authorized representative may permit the building or structure or portion thereof to be occupied when suitable alternative protective measures are provided.

Any person who recklessly engages in conduct, in violation of any provision of this Subtitle, that creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to a group of fifty (50) or more persons shall be subject to a civil fine of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000).

Persons aggrieved by any notice or order issued by a fire official to correct any violation of this Division may appeal within the abatement period, but not later than ten (10) days from such notice or order, to the County Board of Appeals. Such appeal shall not stay execution of the notice or order more than ten (10) days from the filing of the appeal or the date of abatement, whichever is later, unless the Board of Appeals shall grant further stay upon application of the person filing the appeal. No stay of execution shall be permitted for any notice or order issued pursuant to this Division that requires immediate compliance unless a court of competent jurisdiction shall order such stay of execution.

Upon application in writing, the Fire Chief or authorized representative is authorized and empowered, when there are practical difficulties or circumstances of undue hardship involved in the implementation and enforcement of the provisions of this Division, to make such interpretative decisions and qualifications as shall insure substantial compliance with its terms and avoid the imposition of undue hardship provided that the spirit of this Division shall be observed, public safety secured and substantial justice done. The particulars of such variances, when granted or allowed, and the decision of the Fire Chief thereon, shall be entered upon the records of the Office of the Fire Marshal and a signed copy shall be furnished to the applicant.

This Section shall apply to any new residential unit for which an initial building permit is issued on or after January 1, 2007 or any existing unit where there is a sale or transfer of ownership and which is to be constructed or has been constructed with a gas heating system, fuel burning appliances, and/or an attached garage. This Section shall also apply to all new and existing One- and Two- Family, Multi-family, Hotel, Motel, and Dormitory residential dwellings with a gas heating system, fuel burning appliances, and/or an attached garage. Carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed in new and existing residential dwellings by July 1, 2014, in the manner hereinafter provided, unless any other provision of County, State or Federal law shall require installation before that date. General Requirements. Requirements for new and existing one- and two-family residential dwellings. The requirements for installation and maintenance of a carbon monoxide detector in a new or existing one- and two-family residential dwelling shall be at least one (1) carbon monoxide detector installed on each level of the dwelling in close proximity to sleeping quarters in a residence constructed or to be constructed with a gas heating system, fuel burning appliances, and/or an attached garage. For a new residence, carbon monoxide detectors shall be directly hardwired to the building's power supply and have a battery-powered backup. For an existing residence, carbon monoxide detectors shall be AC and/or battery powered/backup. Each carbon monoxide detector must comply with all applicable Federal and State regulations and must bear the label of a nationally recognized standard testing laboratory. Each detector must be an Underwriters Laboratory (U.L.) 2034 listed product or its equivalent. The owner/occupant of each dwelling unit shall be responsible for installing, inspecting and maintaining the carbon monoxide detectors in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. Multi-family apartment house. It shall be the responsibility of the owner of each new or existing multi-family apartment house to install carbon monoxide detectors in each such multi-family dwelling unit intended to be used or originally built or designed to be used for residential purposes, not to include any dwelling unit within any structure which has been wholly converted to a non-residential use. Hotels and motels. Subject to the limitations of Section 12-1104 of the Public Safety Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the owner of each new or existing hotel and motel shall install a carbon monoxide detector in a central location outside of each sleeping area within a dwelling, in the manner hereinafter provided. Dormitories. The owner of each new or existing dormitory shall install carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas, in the manner hereinafter provided. Existing residential units that undergo a sale or transfer of ownership. It shall be the responsibility of the seller or transferor to install carbon monoxide detectors before or at the time of the transfer of ownership of the following residences: One- and two-family residential dwellings. The requirements for installation and maintenance of a carbon monoxide detector in an existing one- and two-family residential dwelling shall be at least one (1) battery-powered carbon monoxide detector installed on each level of the dwelling in close proximity to sleeping quarters in a residence with a gas heating system, fuel burning appliances, and/or an attached garage. Each carbon monoxide detector must comply with all applicable Federal and State regulations and must bear the label of a nationally recognized standard testing laboratory. Each detector must be an Underwriters Laboratory (U.L.) 2034 listed product or its equivalent. The subsequent owner/occupant of each dwelling unit shall be responsible for inspecting and maintaining the carbon monoxide detectors in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. Multi-family apartment house. It shall be the responsibility of the seller or transferor of each multi-family apartment house to install carbon monoxide detectors in each such multi-family dwelling unit intended to be used or originally built or designed to be used for residential purposes, not to include any dwelling unit within any structure which has been wholly converted to a non-residential use. Hotels and motels. Subject to the limitations of Section 12-1104 of the Public Safety Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland, it shall be the responsibility of the seller or transferor of each hotel and motel to install a carbon monoxide detector in a central location outside of each sleeping area within a dwelling, in the manner hereinafter provided, unless any other provision of County, State or Federal law requires installation before January 1, 2007. Dormitories. It shall be the responsibility of the seller or transferor of each dormitory to install carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas, in the manner hereinafter provided, unless any other provision of County, State or Federal law requires installation before January 1, 2007. Location. At least one (1) carbon monoxide detector shall be installed in close proximity to the access for each sleeping area in a residence constructed or to be constructed with a gas heating system, fuel burning appliances, and/or an attached garage. Installation. For a new residence, carbon monoxide detectors shall be directly hardwired to the building's power supply and have a battery-powered backup. For an existing residence, carbon monoxide detectors shall be AC and/or battery powered/backup. Each carbon monoxide detector must comply with all applicable federal and state regulations and must bear the label of a nationally recognized standard testing laboratory. Each detector must be an Underwriters Laboratory (UL.). 2034 listed product or its equivalent. Maintenance of carbon monoxide detectors in multi-family apartment houses, hotels, motels, and dormitories. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner or agent to annually inspect and maintain any carbon monoxide detector, installed in compliance with the provisions of this Section, in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications and/or suggested maintenance schedule. In addition, the property owner shall provide any tenant access to a copy of the maintenance schedule, operating manual, and any other instructional or precautionary literature, which the manufacturer may supply with the unit. Certification at change in occupancy. At every change of occupancy or tenancy in any multi-family dwelling unit occasioned by or incidental to a sale, lease, sublease, or change in tenancy, it shall be the duty of the grantor thereof to certify to the owner/occupant, at the time of conveyance and before occupancy, that all carbon monoxide detectors as required by this Section (or other applicable laws) are installed and in proper working condition. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner/occupant to annually inspect and maintain any carbon monoxide detector, installed in compliance with the provisions of this Section, in accordance with the manufacturer's specification and/or suggested maintenance schedule.

A person may not sell at retail, offer for retail sale or distribute for retail sale or promotion in Prince George's County a novelty lighter. This does not apply to the transportation of novelty lighters through the County or storage of same in a warehouse.