Balto (MD) County-inspection(fire codes)-specific extinguisher

[Daria B.]

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...

[Michael Jones]

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.