Balto (MD) County-inspection(fire codes)-specific extinguisher
Hello, hello...
I am about to go through a rehab of my property (located in Baltimore County MD) and was informed as a reminder of the new smoke detector codes. Detectors are currently up to code.
I found these articles on the Baltimore County gov web site but don't see anything specific for fire extinguishers - must have.
ARTICLE 14 - FIRE PROTECTION
SUBTITLE 2. - ALARMS AND SMOKE DETECTORS
§ 14-2-201. - AUTOMATIC FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
ARTICLE 35. - BUILDINGS AND HOUSING
§ 35-5-213. - FIRE SAFETY AND PROTECTION
I read these sections and am looking for "if" it says that fire extinguishers are required. Are they? Even if they are not, I think it's a good idea to have one for the tenant. I'm just not sure if I am opening myself up to liability if the extinguisher for some reason didn't work when they tried to use it.
I have always had one in the kitchen and it's never been used. It is now suggested that I have one on the other two floors. It's a townhouse, lower level is a garage-laundry-den with 2nd level living and kitchen finishing off 3rd with bedrooms. Seems like it would be overkill to provide anything other than the kitchen level.
In summary,
1- Are fire extinguishers mandatory for a unit such as mine and if so, if it did not work properly (Murphy's law) would I be liable since I provided the extinguisher?
2- Do any of you buy the rechargeable extinguishers or the one-time use?
Thank you much...
Most Popular Reply
I would take a ride down to the nearest fire station and ask for the chief or the fire marshall. One thing I have found when working with them is that they are good people and really do not want to write citations and a landlord that walks in with the question of "what do i need to be legal and safe?" always puts them in a good mood.