# Public Safety (GPS)

## Title 9. Fire Protection and Prevention

### Subtitle 1. Smoke Detection Systems

#### Section 9-102

(a)

  (1) In this section, "high-rise building" means a building where the floor of an occupiable story is greater than 75 feet above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.

  (2) "High-rise building" does not include:

    (i) a structure or building used exclusively for open-air parking; or

    (ii) a building used exclusively for agricultural purposes.

(b) This subtitle applies throughout the State, including Baltimore City.

(c)

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

  (2)

    (i) Beginning July 31, 2025, smoke detectors shall be installed in accordance with location and spacing requirements established by the National Fire Protection Association in each interior public corridor in a residential rental high-rise building.

    (ii) A county may not require upgrades to fire safety systems not specified in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph as a condition of issuing a permit for the installation of smoke detectors required under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph.

  (3)

    (i) In this paragraph, "substantial renovation" means permanent alterations that:

      (1) are intended to enhance the value of a building;

      (2) cost an amount equal to or greater than 40% of the value of the building as assessed by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation; and

      (3) meet the criteria for substantial renovation under any applicable local law.

    (ii) Beginning October 1, 2026, automatic fire sprinklers shall be installed in accordance with NFPA Life Safety Code and NFPA standards in each residential rental high-rise building that is undergoing a substantial renovation that receives building permits on or after October 1, 2026.

    (iii) In determining whether a proposed substantial renovation is intended to enhance the value of a building exclusive of land value, a county may consider building improvements completed over a 4-year time period from the date of the initial building permit.

    (iv) A substantially renovated residential rental high-rise building shall also have the following fire protection and life safety features:

      (1) smoke alarms in every sleeping area;

      (2) stairwells enclosed with at least 2-hour fire resistance rated construction with at least 90-minute fire resistance rated, self-closing, and self-latching doors;

      (3) at least 20-minute fire resistance rated corridor doors with appropriately rated corridor walls;

      (4) smokeproof exit enclosures via natural ventilation, mechanical ventilation incorporating a vestibule, or pressurizing the stair enclosure;

      (5) at least two smoke compartments on each floor; and

      (6) inadequate fire pumps replaced when necessary.

(d) Smoke alarms shall:

  (1) be installed in accordance with NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code as referenced by the State Fire Prevention Code;

  (2) be listed and labeled by a nationally recognized testing laboratory to comply with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 217, "Standard for safety for single and multiple station smoke alarms";

  (3) be suitable for sensing visible or invisible products of combustion; and

  (4) sound an alarm suitable to warn the occupants.

(e) Local jurisdictions may adopt smoke alarm regulations that are more stringent than the provisions of this subtitle.

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Md. Code Ann., Pub. Safety (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)