§ 35-5-213.1. CARBON MONOXIDE ALARMS.

(a)

Definitions.

(1)

In this section, the following words have the meanings indicated.

(2)

Carbon monoxide alarm. "Carbon monoxide alarm" means a device that:

(i)

Senses carbon monoxide;

(ii)

When sensing carbon monoxide, emits a distinct and audible sound; and

(iii)

Is listed and carries the listing of a nationally recognized testing laboratory approved by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

(3)

Enclosed parking area. "Enclosed parking area" means a structure or a portion of a structure that:

(i)

Is designed to be used for the parking of motor vehicles; and

(ii)

Is not more than 50% open to the outside air on a continuous basis.

(4)

Fuel burning equipment. "Fuel burning equipment" means equipment that burns solid, liquid, or gaseous fuel or any combination of solid, liquid, or gaseous fuels.

(5)

Housing unit. "Housing unit" includes a housing unit in a boarding-rooming house authorized under § 408B of the Baltimore County Zoning Regulations.

(6)

NFPA 720. "NFPA 720" means NFPA 720, Standard for Installation of Carbon Monoxide Warning Equipment in Dwelling Units, 2005 Edition.

(b)

Applicability. This section applies to a housing unit, whether newly constructed or already existing:

(1)

In which fuel burning equipment is installed or that is otherwise heated by fuel burning equipment; or

(2)

That is attached to an enclosed parking area.

(c)

Location. A carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed in the common area outside of, and audible in, each sleeping area in the housing unit.

(d)

Testing; maintenance. A carbon monoxide alarm shall be attached to a wall or ceiling and tested and maintained in accordance with:

(1)

NFPA 720; or

(2)

The manufacturer's recommendation.

(e)

Distinctive sound. A carbon monoxide alarm shall sound a distinctively different alarm than a smoke alarm within the same housing unit.

(f)

Property owner's obligations.

(1)

The property owner shall:

(i)

Supply and install one or more carbon monoxide alarms;

(ii)

Provide written information on alarm testing and maintenance to at least one adult occupant of the housing unit; and

(iii)

Secure and maintain the signature of the adult receiving the written information under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph acknowledging receipt of the information.

(2)

Upon receiving a notice under subsection (g)(3) of this section or on turnover, as applicable, the property owner shall be responsible for the repair or replacement of carbon monoxide alarms.

(g)

Occupant's obligations. An occupant shall:

(1)

Test and maintain carbon monoxide alarms according to the manufacturer's guidelines;

(2)

Replace batteries as needed; and

(3)

Immediately notify the property owner, by certified mail, of any malfunction or other problem of the carbon monoxide alarm.

(h)

Wiring; secondary battery backup.

(1)

If Title 12, Subtitle 11 of the Public Safety Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland applies to the housing unit, the carbon monoxide alarm shall be wired into an alternating current (AC) powerline with a secondary battery backup.

(2)

If Title 12, Subtitle 11 of the Public Safety Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland does not apply to the housing unit, the carbon monoxide alarm shall be:

(i)

Wired into an alternating current (AC) powerline with a secondary battery backup;

(ii)

Plugged into an electrical outlet not controlled by a switch, with secondary battery backup; or

(iii)

Battery powered.

(i)

Combination with smoke alarm. A carbon monoxide alarm may be combined with a smoke alarm if the combined device complies with:

(1)

All state and local laws that govern the installation of the device at the time of installation; and

(2)

Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Standards 217 and 2034.

(j)

Hearing impaired occupants. The property owner shall provide a carbon monoxide alarm that is designed to alert individuals with hearing impairments if:

(1)

The housing unit is occupied by an individual who is hearing impaired; and

(2)

An occupant has requested the installation of the alarm in writing by certified mail.

(k)

Disabling alarm prohibited. Except as needed for repair or routine maintenance, a person may not:

(1)

Remove or disconnect a required carbon monoxide alarm;

(2)

Remove batteries from a carbon monoxide alarm; or

(3)

Render a required carbon monoxide alarm inoperable.

(l)

Compliance certification. The property owner of a housing unit subject to this section and not otherwise subject to Title 12, Subtitle 11 of the Public Safety Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland shall certify to the satisfaction of the Code Official that the housing is in compliance with this section not more than 30 days after the housing unit is subject to this section.

(Bill No. 91-09, § 1, 2-13-2010)

Editor's note:
  Section 2 of Bill No. 91-09 provides that notwithstanding § 35-5-213.1(l) of the Baltimore County Code, 2003, a property owner of any housing unit not otherwise subject to Title 12, Subtitle 11 of the Public Safety Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland shall certify to the satisfaction of the Code Official, as defined in § 35-1-101 of the Baltimore County Code, 2003, that the housing unit is in compliance with § 35-5-213.1 of the Baltimore County Code, 2003 not more than 8 months after the effective date of this Act [February 13, 2010], unless otherwise extended by the Director of Permits and Development Management for a period not exceeding 60 days upon a finding of good cause.
 Section 3 of Bill No. 91-09 provides that, subject to Section 2 of this Act, the Director of Permits and Development Management shall amend any rule, regulation or guideline adopted in accordance with Article 35, Title 6 of the Baltimore County Code, 2003, so that such rule, regulation or guideline shall require compliance with this Act.