Maryland
Below are FAQs relevant for members with property in Maryland:- What are rules regarding smoke detectors in Prince George’s County?
- What are air conditioning and heating requirements in Maryland?
- Are screens required for doors/windows in Maryland?
- What are the voluntary rent guidelines in Montgomery County?
- What can be recycled in Prince George's County?
- What is the snow removal policy for Montgomery County and Prince George's County?
1) Question: What are the rules regarding smoke detector installation in multifamily properties located in Prince George’s County. Is it a requirement that smoke detectors are hard-wired with battery back up? Or would battery-powered detectors be sufficient?
Answer: No, hard wired smoke detectors are no longer required; monitored long life Lithium battery-supply units may be substituted.
In 2002, AOBA worked out an alternative installation agreement for certain multifamily communities in Prince George’s County. The agreement, supported by the Fire Marshal, allows smoke alarms to be installed with a battery back up, in lieu of any other code requirements with regards to Smoke Alarms. If using this alternative, the new smoke alarm will be required to have a long life Lithium battery. This agreement was later adopted through legislation and is now current code. Prior to this change in the code all smoke detectors were required to be hardwired.
The fire that has prompted this reaction was one in which a unit was individually metered and PEPCO had terminated service for non-payment. The unit was not equipped with a battery backup smoke detector and the electric smoke detector was wired to the unit not to a central power source for the building. Upon investigation, it was discovered that this was a common method of installation in many of the older apartment communities. Looking for a higher level of safety the Fire Marshal agreed that even if smoke detectors are hardwired to the main building, in the event of a power outage they too would fail. Additionally, it would be extremely difficult and costly to hard wire in these older buildings. It was agreed that a higher level of safety could be obtained by requiring the installation of a long-life battery powered smoke alarm that would continue to function when there was a power outage.
Prince George’s County Subtitle 11, is the Fire Safety Law for Prince George’s County, Section 11-258 regulates the requirements for smoke alarms for multifamily apartment houses, motels and dormitories.
“(b) Location. At least one (1) smoke detector shall be installed in close proximity to the access for each sleeping area.
(c) Installation. Smoke detectors may be directly hard wired to the building's power supply or operated on a plug-in outlet which is fitted with a plug restrainer device, provided that said outlet is not controlled by any switch, and further provided that there is no switch or cord switch on the detector.
(d) Maintenance of smoke detectors 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 detector 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.”
Any questions or additional information contact the Fire Prevention and Investigations office at 301-583-1830.
2) Question: When Must Air Conditioning Be Supplied in Maryland?
Answer: Every spring and fall, questions are asked regarding the rules for turning on/off heat and air conditioning. This poses a dilemma for owners and residents. The sporadic climate in the Washington area does not lend itself to an easy solution. The following “multiple answers” are offered as guidance:
Maryland State Law
There is no statutory date in the State of Maryland to turn on heat or air conditioning.
Air Conditioning is not required.
There is no State requirement to supply air conditioning. Air conditioning is considered an amenity. The state code is consistent with this view. Air conditioning in not listed in the State Code as a substantial defect or a condition that would constitute, a fire hazard or a serious and substantial threat to the life, health, or safety of the occupants”. If air conditioning is supplied as an amenity, it must be maintained in working order as a condition of the lease contract.
Heat is required.
Maryland State Law requires heat to be supplied.
Maryland State Code- MD. CODE ANN., [REAL PROP.] § 8-211(e) (1)
Prince George’s County
Sec. 13-127. Mechanical and Electrical Requirements; Section 602, Heating Facilities.
(a) Section 602.2 is amended to read as follows:
"602.2 Residential occupancies. Dwellings shall be provided with heating facilities capable of maintaining a room temperature of seventy (70) degrees Fahrenheit in all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms based on the winter outdoor design temperature for the locality indicated in Appendix D of the International Plumbing Code. Cooking appliances shall not be used to provide space heating to meet the requirements of this Section."
(b) Section 602.3 is amended to read as follows:
"602.3 Heat supply. Every owner and operator of any building who rents, leases, or lets one (1) or more dwelling unit, rooming unit, dormitory, or guest room on terms, either expressed or implied, to furnish heat to the occupants thereof shall supply heat during the period from September 15 to May 15 to maintain a temperature of not less than seventy (70) degrees Fahrenheit in all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms.
(c) Section 602.4, entitled "Occupiable work spaces," is deleted in its entirety.
(CB-39-2001)
Montgomery County
Housing Standards Sec. 26-7 Light, ventilation and heating, temperature control.
3) Temperature control - space heating.
(A) Each owner of a dwelling unit or individual living unit where the heat is not under the control of the tenant must maintain a temperature of at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit in each habitable room, bathroom, and water closet compartment at a distance of 3 feet above floor level.
(B) Each owner of a dwelling unit or individual living unit where the heat is under the control of the tenant must provide in working condition heating equipment capable of maintaining a temperature of at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit in each habitable room, bathroom, and water closet compartment at a distance of 3 feet above floor level.
(C) If the thermostat or other mechanism governing the heat in more than one dwelling unit in a multiple dwelling or individual living unit in a personal living quarters building is located in a dwelling unit or individual living unit where the occupant of that unit controls the heat delivery to other dwelling units or individual living units, the owner must provide each tenant with an emergency phone number to directly contact a person who has 24-hour access to adjust the heat and who will adjust the heat within 2 hours.
3) Question: Are Screens Required on Windows/Doors?
Answer: YES
Montgomery County
Sec. 26-7. Light, ventilation and heating, temperature control.
(c) Ventilation. Each habitable room must provide adequate ventilation that meets the minimum standards prescribed in Chapter 8.
(1) When ventilation is provided by windows and exterior doors, the total of the openable window or door area in each habitable room must be at least 45 percent of the minimum aggregate glass area of the window or skylight as required in subsection (a) or 4 percent of the floor area of every habitable room.
(2) Every window or opening to outdoor space, used or intended to be used for ventilation, must be supplied with screens or other method of insect control approved by the Director.
(3) Every window used or intended to be used for ventilation, and every other opening in any dwelling which might provide an entry for rodents, must be supplied with a screen or other device which effectively prevents their entrance.
Prince George’s County
SUBTITLE 13. HOUSING AND PROPERTY STANDARDS 13-119, 2002 Supplement
(h) Section 303.14 is amended to read as follows:
“303.14 Insect screens. During the period from June 1 to October 15, every door, window, and other outside opening required for ventilation of habitable rooms, food preparation areas, food service areas, or any areas where products to be included or utilized in food for human for consumption are processed, manufactured, packaged, or stored, shall be supplied with approved tightly fitting screens of not less than sixteen (16) mesh per inch and every swinging door shall have a self-closing device in good working condition.
- Exceptions:
No screens shall be required on any floor above the fifth floor.
2. Screen doors shall not be required where other approved means, such as air curtains or insect repellent fans, are employed.”
4) Question: What are the voluntary rent guidelines in Montgomery County?
Answer: The Voluntary Rent Guideline for 2010 is 2.8%. This percentage is based on figures from the U.S. Department of Labor for the rent component of the Consumer Price Index for 2008 for the Washington Metropolitan area. For additional information, contact the Office of Landlord and Tenant Affairs, at (240) 777-3600 or click here .
5) Question: What can be recycled in Prince George’s County?
Answer: Prince George's County mandates recycling for multifamily rental facilities as well as businesses. Check out the newest recycling flyer for the County.
6) Question: What is the snow removal policy for Montgomery County and Prince George’s County?
Answer: Here's the latest Montgomery County snow removal details, and Prince George's County snow removal information.
