Committee gives favorable recommendation to sprinkler-requirement bill; separate city-code change needed for single-family retrofits

The Annapolis Public Safety Standing Committee voted to give a favorable recommendation to ordinance O-32-24, a clarification of the city’s fire sprinkler requirements, after approving an amendment. The committee acted during its regular meeting and moved the legislation to the top of the agenda for consideration.

The bill is intended to align local language with current practice and updated state and national fire codes. Nathan Powell, deputy chief of operations for the Annapolis Fire Department, told the committee the proposal “just aligns, some of the language and verbiage with current practice and, up to date codes.”

City staff and the department’s fire-protection engineer cautioned that the Maryland State Fire Prevention Code, as adopted and amended by the city, does not currently give the Annapolis fire marshal authority to require sprinkler retrofits in existing single-family dwellings. A city staff member observed that “the way I interpret this document would not necessarily encompass that amendment into chapter ... title 17 in city code,” meaning a separate ordinance amending Title 17 would be required for retrofit authority.

Committee members were told that, if the council intends to require retrofits for single-family homes, that Title 17 change should be requested and introduced in a timely manner; staff noted a 2027 deadline as a target for when retrofit requirements could begin to take effect. The committee did not enact that separate Title 17 ordinance during the meeting.

Committee members voted to recommend approval of the amendment and to recommend O-32-24 as amended. The motions were moved and seconded and the chair called for the ayes; the recorded discussion indicates the motion carried with “Aye” and no opposition.

Next steps: the committee’s favorable recommendation sends O-32-24 to the full council for further consideration. City staff said a separate ordinance amending Title 17 would be necessary before the city could require sprinkler retrofits in existing single-family dwellings; the timetable for that ordinance and any effective dates were not specified at the meeting.