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SB 513

Fire Prevention – Assistant Fire Marshals, Residential Rental High–Rise Property Fire Safety Equipment, and Fire Alarm System Technicians

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Will Smith

SB 513 mandates fire safety equipment upgrades in Maryland residential high-rises and establishes technician certification standards, enforced by expanded assistant fire marshal authority.

Second Reading Passed with Amendments
0
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Bill Summary · SB 513

Legislative bill overview

SB 513 establishes new regulations for fire safety in Maryland residential rental high-rise properties and creates standards for fire alarm system technicians. The bill also appears to address the role and responsibilities of assistant fire marshals in enforcing these requirements.

Why is this important

High-rise residential fires pose significant life safety risks due to the number of occupants and evacuation complexities. Standardizing fire safety equipment requirements and technician qualifications helps ensure consistent protection across properties and reduces preventable deaths and injuries in multi-unit dwellings.

Potential points of contention

  • Property owner compliance costs: Upgrading fire safety systems and equipment in existing high-rises could impose substantial expenses on rental property owners, potentially affecting housing affordability or rent increases
  • Technician licensing and workforce: Creating new certification requirements for fire alarm technicians may limit the available workforce initially and impose training burdens on existing professionals
  • Enforcement authority: The expansion of assistant fire marshal powers could raise concerns about regulatory overreach or inconsistent enforcement across different jurisdictions in Maryland

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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