The provisions of this code shall govern the minimum standards for firesafety facilities and equipment. All structures shall be constructed and maintained to prevent and avoid fire hazards and in a manner conducive to firesafety.
A. 
General. A safe, continuous, and unobstructed means of egress shall be provided from the interior of a structure to the exterior at a street, yard, court, or passageway leading to a public open area at grade.
B. 
Direct exit. Each housing unit shall have access directly to the outside or to a common area that leads directly to the outside.
C. 
Doors. All doors in the required means of egress shall be easily opened from the inner side. Double-cylinder dead bolts shall not be permitted on main egress doors unless the lock is designed to prevent the removal of the key from the inside in the locked position.
D. 
Fire escapes. All fire escapes shall be maintained in working condition and be structurally sound and adhere to local building codes and all applicable local and state laws.
E. 
Exit signs. All exit signs shall be maintained and visible in accordance with the applicable state and local code.
F. 
Emergency escape.
(1) 
Every basement sleeping room shall have at least one operable window or exterior door approved for emergency egress or rescue. The unit must be operable from the inside opening without the use of separate tools. Where windows are provided as a means of egress or rescue they shall have a sill height not more than 44 inches above the floor. All egress or rescue windows from sleeping rooms must have a minimum net clear opening of five square feet. The minimum net clear opening height dimension shall be 24 inches. The minimum net clear opening width dimension shall be 20 inches. Bars, grills or screens placed over emergency escape windows shall be releasable or removable from the inside without the use of a key, tool or excessive force.
(2) 
Exception. A complete residential fire sprinkler system may be installed. Installation must be in accordance with the State Fire Prevention Code.
A. 
General. Garbage or rubbish may not be allowed to accumulate in stairways, passageways, doors, windows, fire escapes, or other means of egress.
B. 
Flammable matter. Highly flammable or explosive matter, such as paints, volatile oils and cleaning fluids, or combustible rubbish, such as wastepaper, boxes and rags, may not be accumulated or stored on premises except in reasonable quantities consistent with normal usage.
C. 
Residential unit. A housing unit may not be located within a structure containing an establishment handling, dispensing, or storing flammable liquids with a flashpoint of 100° F. or lower.
Floors, walls, ceilings, and other elements and components which are required by the applicable fire code to comply with a fire-resistance rating shall be maintained so that the respective fire-resistance rating of the enclosure, separation, or construction is preserved.
A. 
General. All fire-protection systems and equipment shall be maintained in proper operating condition at all times.
B. 
Smoke detectors.
(1) 
All housing units shall be provided with a minimum of one single station smoke detector in the vicinity of each sleeping area.
(2) 
The smoke detectors shall be installed and maintained in accordance with Title 9, Subtitle 1, Smoke Detection Systems, of the Public Safety Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.
[Amended 11-17-2008 by Ord. No. 715-08]
(3) 
When actuated, the smoke detector shall provide an alarm suitable to warn the occupants within the unit.
C. 
Fire-suppression system. Fire-suppression systems in housing units so equipped shall be maintained in good condition, free from mechanical defect. Sprinkler heads shall be kept clean and free of corrosion and paint and may not be bent or damaged.
D. 
Fire extinguishers. All portable fire extinguishers in housing units so equipped shall be visible and accessible and maintained in an efficient and safe operating condition.
A. 
All necessary and legally required fire-resistance rated doors or smoke barriers shall be maintained in good working order, including all hardware necessary for their proper operation.
B. 
Only approved door stops, hold-open devices or other door hardware shall be used on egress doors, fire doors or smoke barrier doors.