Chapter 117. BUILDING CONSTRUCTION. Article I. Wicomico County Building Code Authority and purpose. [Amended by Bill No.

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1 Wicomico County, MD Monday, November 4, 2013 Chapter 117. BUILDING CONSTRUCTION [HISTORY: Adopted by the County Council of Wicomico County as Ord. No. 36; amended in its entirety by Bill No Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.] GENERAL REFERENCES Electrical standards See Ch Floodplain management See Ch Housing standards See Ch Plumbing See Ch Subdivision of land See Ch STATUTORY REFERENCES Authority See Anno. Code of Maryland (1957), Art. 25A, 5. Article I. Wicomico County Building Code Authority and purpose. [Amended by Bill No ] A. The purpose of this chapter is to establish building regulations that will promote and protect, in accordance with present and future needs, the safety, health, and general welfare of the citizens of Wicomico County and to provide reasonable protection to the public against hazards to life, health, and property. B. The State of Maryland has adopted the International Building Code and the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings as the Maryland Building Performance Standards, COMAR , with modifications. This chapter is intended to establish building regulations for Wicomico County, Maryland by adopting the International Building Code and the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings and by incorporating modifications to the International Building Code and the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings that are in accordance with local conditions and requirements. C. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to the unincorporated territory of Wicomico County, Maryland. This chapter may be applied to the territory of any municipality within Wicomico County, Maryland, to the extent established by and only upon a written agreement between Wicomico County and the governing body of said municipality.

2 Repealer. The County Council of Wicomico County hereby repeals Ordinance Nos. 9, 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 18 and 18A of Wicomico County, Maryland Adoption of standards by reference. [Amended by Bill No ; by Bill No ; by Bill No ; by Bill No ; by Bill No ; by Bill No ; by Bill No ] The County Council of Wicomico County hereby adopts, as modified or amended by 117-5, the provisions set forth in the International Building Code (hereinafter referred to as IBC), 2009 Edition, including Appendices A, F, H and I; and the provisions set forth in the International Residential Code (hereinafter referred to as IRC), 2009 Edition, including Appendices C and G. All other appendices are specifically not adopted. All of the provisions of said IBC and IRC as set forth above not otherwise amended as set forth in this chapter are hereby adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out at length herein; and from the date on which this chapter should take effect, as amended by 117-5, the provisions shall be controlling for all building within the corporate limits of Wicomico County, Maryland, unless otherwise exempted herein Title. The provisions embraced within the following sections shall constitute and be known and cited as the "Wicomico County Building Code." Modifications and amendments to code. [Amended by Bill No ; by Bill No ; by Bill No ; by Bill No ; by Bill No ; by Bill No ; by Bill No ; by Bill No ; by Bill No ; by Bill No ] The following modifications are made to the International Building Code and the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings: IBC and IRC Creation of enforcement agency. Delete this paragraph and text of the IBC and IRC in their entirety. IBC and IRC Appointment. [Amended by Bill No ] Delete this paragraph and text of the IBC and IRC in its entirety and replace with the following: The Chief Building Official/Inspector shall have had at least 10 years' experience as an architect, engineer, building inspector, building contractor or superintendent of building construction, for five years of which he shall have been in responsible charge of work. He shall be appointed by the Director of Planning, Zoning and Community Development for Wicomico County. His appointment shall continue during good behavior and satisfactory service as provided in the personnel regulations for Wicomico County. He shall not be removed from office except for cause, after full opportunity has been given him to be heard on specific charges before such Director of Planning, Zoning and Community Development or other official as the personnel regulations shall provide. IBC and IRC Inspectors. Delete this paragraph and text of the IBC and IRC in its entirety and replace with the

3 following: The Chief Building Official, with the approval of the Director of the Department of Planning, Zoning and Community Development, may appoint such number of officers, inspectors, assistants and other employees as shall be authorized from time to time. No person shall be appointed as Inspector of Construction who has not had at least five years' experience as a building inspector, builder, engineer, architect or as a superintendent, foreman or competent mechanic in charge of construction and R105.1 Permit required. Delete this paragraph and text of the IBC and IRC in its entirety and substitute the following: 1. Any owner, authorized agent or contractor who desires to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, demolish or change the occupancy of a building or structure, to erect or construct a sign of any description, shall first make application to the Building Official and obtain such required permit therefor. 2. A general permit shall carry with it the right to install in any building or structure or part thereof heating apparatus, elevators, sidewalk elevators, vaults, chutes, coal holes, lifts, cranes, derricks, steam-power boilers or steam, oil, gas or vapor engines, provided that the same are shown on the drawings and set forth in the specifications filed with the application for the permit, but where these are not shown on the drawings and covered by the specifications submitted with said application, special permits shall be required. 3. Ordinary minor repairs may be made with the approval of the Building Official without a permit, provided that such repairs shall not violate any of the provisions of this Code. IBC and IRC Work exempt from permit. Delete these sections of the IBC and IRC in their entirety and substitute the following: IBC Work exempt from permit. Exemptions from permit requirement of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction. Permits shall not be required for the following: Building: 1. (Reserved) 2. Fences not over eight feet high. 3. (Reserved)

4 4. Retaining walls that are not over four feet (1,219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall, unless supporting a surcharge or impounding Class I, II or III A liquids. 5. (Reserved) 6. Sidewalks and driveways not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above adjacent grade, and not over any basement or story below and are not part of an accessible route. 7. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work. 8. Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery. 9. Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep, do not exceed 5,000 gallons (18,925 l) and are installed entirely above ground. 10. Shade cloth structures constructed for nursery or agricultural purposes, not including service systems. 11. Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings. 12. Window awnings supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches (1,372 mm) from the exterior wall and do not require additional support of Groups R-3 and U Occupancies. 13. Nonfixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters and partitions not over five feet nine inches (1,753 mm) in height. IRC Work exempt from permit. Exemptions from permit requirement of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or ordinances of this jurisdiction. Permits shall not be required for the following: Building: and R Public service agencies. 1. (Reserved) 2. Fences not over eight feet high. 3. (Reserved) 4. (Reserved)

5 5. (Reserved) 6. (Reserved) 7. Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work. 8. Temporary motion picture, television and theater stage sets and scenery. 9. Prefabricated swimming pools accessory to a Group R-3 occupancy that are less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep, do not exceed 5,000 gallons (18,925 l) and are installed entirely above ground. 10. Decks that are not more than 30 inches (762 mm) above grade at any point and do not serve the exit door required by Section R Swings and other playground equipment accessory to detached one- and two-family dwellings. 12. Window awnings supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches (1,372 mm) from the exterior wall and do not require additional support of Groups R-3 and U Occupancies. 13. Nonfixed and movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters and partitions not over five feet nine inches (1,753 mm) in height. IBC and IRC Emergency repairs. Delete this paragraph and text of the IBC and IRC in its entirety and substitute the following: Where repairs must be performed in an emergency situation, the permit application shall be submitted within the next working business day to the Building Official. IBC and IRC Repairs. Delete this paragraph and text of the IBC and IRC in its entirety and substitute the following: Application or notice to the Building Official is required for repairs to structures, where such repairs include the cutting away of any wall, partition or portion thereof, the removal or cutting of any structural beam or load-bearing support, or the removal or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the egress requirements or other work affecting public health or general safety, or changes in occupancy classification to existing structures and R Public service agencies. Delete this paragraph and text of the IBC and IRC in its entirety.

6 Withholding of permits. Add new section to read as follows: Whenever the Building Official shall find that the applicant is in violation of the provisions of this Code or of the rules and regulations of any other department of Wicomico County in connection with the erection, maintenance or repair of buildings, structures, lands or equipment thereon or therein, he may refuse to grant any further permits to such applicant until such violations have been corrected. R Substantially improved or substantially damaged existing buildings and structures. Delete this paragraph and text in its entirety and replace with the following: The standards shall be as set forth in Chapter 149 of the Wicomico County Code. IRC Withholding of permits. Add new section to read as follows: Whenever the Building Official shall find that the applicant is in violation of the provisions of this code or of the rules and regulations of any other department of Wicomico County in connection with the erection, maintenance or repair of buildings, structures, lands or equipment thereon or therein, he may refuse to grant any further permits to such applicant until such violations have been corrected. IBC and IRC Time limitation of application. Delete this paragraph and text of the IBC and IRC in its entirety and substitute the following: An application for a permit for any proposed work shall be deemed to have been abandoned 180 days after the date of filing, unless such application has been pursued in good faith or a permit has been issued; except that the Building Official is authorized to grant one or more extensions of time for additional periods not exceeding 90 days each. The extension shall be requested in writing and justifiable cause demonstrated and R105.4 Validity of permit and and R105.5 Expiration. Delete these paragraphs and text of the IBC and IRC in their entirety and substitute the following: A permit issued shall be construed to be a license to proceed with the work and shall not be construed as authority to violate, cancel, alter or set aside any of the provisions of this code, nor shall such issuance of a permit prevent the Building Official from thereafter requiring a correction of errors in plans or in construction or

7 of violations of this code. Every permit issued shall become invalid unless the work authorized by such permit is commenced within six months after its issuance. One extension of time, for a period not to exceed six months may be allowed for the initial start of work. Work authorized by such permit must be finished within three years from the date of issuance or extension, if granted by the Building Official. Extension of time to finish the work as determined by the Building Official may also be allowed. All extension requests are to be made in writing, and justifiable cause will have to be demonstrated. R106.1 Submittal documents. Delete the paragraph commencing with the phrase "Construction documents" and replace with the following: Construction documents, special inspection and structural observation programs, and other data shall be submitted in two or more sets with each application for a permit. Where special conditions exist, the Building Official is authorized to require additional construction documents to be prepared by a registered design professional. Exception: The Building Official is authorized to waive the submission of construction documents and other data if it is found that the nature of the work applied for is such that reviewing of construction documents is not necessary to obtain compliance with this code. R Information for construction in areas prone to flooding. Delete this paragraph and text in its entirety and replace with the following: The standards shall be as set forth in Chapter 149 of the Wicomico County Code and R Previous approvals. Delete the paragraph commencing with the phrase "This code" and replace with the following: This code shall not require changes in the construction documents, construction or designated occupancy of a structure for which a lawful permit has been heretofore issued or otherwise lawfully authorized, and the construction of which has been pursued in good faith within six months after the effective date of this code and has not been abandoned. IBC and IRC Temporary power. Delete this paragraph and text in its entirety and replace with the following: The standard shall be as set forth in Chapter 138 of the Wicomico County Code. IBC and IRC Payment of fees; IBC and IRC Related fees; IBC and IRC Refunds.

8 Delete these paragraphs and text in their entirety and replace with the following: On all buildings, structures, electrical, plumbing, mechanical and gas systems or alterations requiring a permit, a fee for each permit shall be paid as required at the time of the filing of the application, in accordance with the schedule as established by the County Council. IBC and IRC Schedule of permit fees. Delete these paragraphs and text in its entirety and replace with the following: For any type of work as specified herein, a permit fee shall be paid as required at the time of filing application in accordance with the schedule as established by the County Council. IBC Building permit valuations. Add the following sentence to the end of the section: The permit fee required by this chapter shall be based on the estimated construction cost of the proposed work. IRC Building permit valuations. Add the following sentence to the end of the section: The permit fee required by this chapter shall be based on the estimated construction cost of the proposed work. The estimated cost of construction shall be computed by the County official and shall be based on the construction cost schedule adopted by the County Council. IBC and IRC Work commencing before permit issuance. Delete this paragraph and text in its entirety and replace with the following: Any person who commences any type of work as specified herein without the necessary permits shall pay four times the usual permit fees, unless the person obtains the necessary permit within two business days of stop work order for failure to have the necessary permit, as specified in the schedule of permit fees established by the County Council. IRC Lowest floor elevation. Delete this paragraph and text in its entirety and replace with the following: The elevation certification required in Section shall conform to the Floodplain Management Chapter 149 and be submitted to the Building Official. R Plumbing, mechanical, gas and electrical systems inspection. Delete this paragraph and text in its entirety.

9 IRC Floodplain inspections. Delete this paragraph and text in its entirety and replace with the following: The elevation certification required shall conform to the floodplain management Chapter 149 and be submitted to the Building Official. IBC Certificate issued. Delete items 7 through 12. IRC Certificate issued. Delete items 7 through 9. IRC and IBC Connection of service utilities. Delete these paragraphs and text in their entirety and replace with the following: The standard shall be as set forth in Chapter 138 of the Wicomico County Code. IRC and IBC Temporary connection. Delete these paragraphs and text in their entirety and replace with the following: The standard shall be as set forth in Chapter 138 of the Wicomico County Code IBC 113 and IRC 112 Board of Appeals. Delete this section and text in its entirety and replace with the following: The Board of Appeals shall mean the Board of Appeals as established by Chapter 7 of this Code. IBC 114 and IRC 113 Violations. Delete this section and text in its entirety and replace with the following: IBC 114 and IRC 113 Exemptions. Religious groups exemption. No bona fide religious group or corporation shall be required to pay any fees set forth herein for a permit for the construction, erection, altering, repairing, removing or demolition of any church building, parsonage or any other auxiliary building used for church purposes. This exemption, however, shall not apply to any building constructed, erected, altered or repaired by such group wherein any revenue shall be derived therefrom from rentals, etc.; subject, nevertheless, to the conditions that such bona fide religious groups or corporations shall comply with any and all of the terms and conditions of this Building Code applicable thereto.

10 Farm building exemption. Farm accessory buildings that are deemed necessary in the operation of a farm, used for agricultural purposes and can be classified as Group U under the provisions of Chapter 3, Use and Occupancy Classification, in the 2009 International Building Code, require a building permit and all inspections. However farm accessory buildings and farm buildings shall be exempt from any fees set forth herein for a permit for construction, erection, altering, repairing, removing or demolition of any farm building or farm accessory building. Volunteer Fire Department exemption. No volunteer Fire Department shall be required to pay any fees set forth herein for a permit for the construction, erection, altering, repairing, removing or demolition of any volunteer Fire Department building and related review fees, such as fire protection system plan review and inspection fees, floodplain permit fee, stormwater review fee, and electrical and utility permit and inspection fees, in connection with constructing a new Fire Department building. This exemption is subject to such volunteer Fire Departments complying with any and all of the terms and conditions of this Building Code applicable thereto. R Floodplain construction. Delete this paragraph and text in its entirety and replace with the following: The standards shall be as set forth in Chapter 149 of the Wicomico County Code. R304 Minimum room areas. Delete this section and text in its entirety and replace with the following: The objective of space requirements is to assure that each living unit provides complete living facilities ordinarily considered necessary to a permanent home, arranged and equipped to provide suitable and desirable living, sleeping, cooking and dining accommodations and adequate storage and sanitary facilities. 1. The square footage of all rooms of a single-bedroom house shall have an inside minimum square footage of 446 square feet with an outside minimum square footage of 528 square feet, with the various rooms therein of the following minimum sizes: Room Square Feet Living room 150 Kitchen or dining room 120 (total) First bedroom 100 Closet or closets 16 (total)

11 Room Square Feet Bathroom 30 Utility room 30 Total The square footage of all rooms of a two-bedroom house shall have an inside minimum square footage of 532 square feet with an outside minimum square footage of 624 square feet, with the various rooms therein of the following minimum sizes: Room Square Feet Living room 150 Kitchen or dining room 130 First bedroom 100 Second bedroom 70 Closet or closets 22 (total) Bathroom 30 Utility room 30 Total The square footage of all rooms of a three-bedroom house shall have an inside minimum square footage of 678 square feet with an outside minimum square footage of 768 square feet, with the various rooms therein of the following minimum sizes: Room Square Feet Living room 165 Kitchen or dining room 155 (total) First bedroom 100

12 Room Square Feet Second bedroom 100 Third bedroom 70 Closet or closets 28 (total) Bathroom 30 Utility room 30 Total 678 IRC 306 Sanitation. The standards shall be as set forth in the National Standard Plumbing Code IRC Flood hazard areas. Delete this paragraph and text in its entirety and replace with the following: The standards shall be as set forth in Chapter 149 of the Wicomico County Code. IRC Riser height. Add the following exception to this section: Exception: Stairways leading to unconditioned areas that are used only for storage above attached or detached garages may have a maximum riser height of 8 1/2 inches. Such storage areas cannot be converted to habitable space unless the riser height of the stairway is reduced to a maximum height of 7 3/4 inches. IRC Tread depth. Add the following exception to this section: Exception: Stairways leading to unconditioned areas that are used only for storage above attached or detached garages may have a minimum tread depth of nine inches. Such storage areas cannot be converted to habitable space unless the tread depth is increased to a minimum of 10 inches. IRC 313 Automatic fire sprinkler systems.[amended by Bill No ] IRC One- and two-family dwellings automatic fire systems. (2009 and 2012 IRC)

13 Delete this paragraph and text of the IRC in its entirety. IRC Design and installation (2009 and 2012 IRC) Delete this paragraph and text of the IRC in its entirety Group R (2009 IBC and 2012 IBC) Shall be amended by the addition of the following: provided however R-3 occupancies are not required to have an automatic fire system. Chapter 11 Accessibility. The text of this chapter of the IBC is deleted. Wicomico County hereby adopts the Maryland Accessibility Code as set forth in the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) Chapter 13 Energy efficiency - IBC; Chapter 11 Energy efficiency - IRC. The text of this chapter of the IBC and IRC is deleted and the following is substituted: These chapters are replaced with the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code. IRC Location required. Delete paragraph IRC No. 1 in its entirety and replace with the following: 1. When wood joists or the bottom of wood structural floors without joists are closer than 24 inches or wood girders are closer than 18 inches to exposed ground located within the periphery of the building over a crawl space or unexcavated areas, they shall be of approved naturally durable wood or pressure-treated wood. For additions to existing dwellings, this requirement will be determined by the Building Official Automatic sprinkler systems. Delete this paragraph and text in its entirety and replace with the following: Automatic sprinkler increase. For buildings protected throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section , the value specified in Table 503 for maximum height is increased by 20 feet (6096 MM), and the maximum number of stories is increased by one story. When the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section for Groups R-1, R-2, and R-4, and in accordance with Section for Group R-3, the building height limitations specified in Table 503 are increased one story and 20 feet (6096 MM) but may not exceed a height of four stories and 60 feet (18,288 MM) above the grade plane.

14 These increases are permitted in addition to the area increase. R802 Wood roof framing. R802.3 Framing details. Rafters shall be framed to ridge board or to each other with a gusset plate as a tie. Ridge board shall be at least one-inch (25.4 mm) nominal thickness and not less in depth than the cut end of the rafter. At all valleys and hips there shall be a valley or hip rafter not less than two-inch (51 mm) nominal thickness. Hip and valley rafters shall be supported at the ridge by a brace to a bearing partition or be designed to carry and distribute the specific load at that point. Where the roof pitch is less than three units vertical in 12 units horizontal (twenty-five-percent slope), structural members that support rafters and ceiling joists, such as ridge beams, hips and valleys, shall be designed as beams. Chapter 27 Electrical - IBC. Delete this chapter and text in its entirety and replace with the following: The standards shall be as set forth in Chapter 138 of the Wicomico County Code. Chapters 34 through 43 - IRC. Delete these chapters and in their entirety. Chapter 29 Plumbing systems - IBC. Delete this chapter and text in its entirety and replace with the following: The standards shall be as set forth in Chapter 183 of the Wicomico County Code and enforced by the Plumbing Official. Chapter 25 through Chapter 32 - IRC. Delete these chapters and text in their entirety and replace with the following: The standards shall be as set forth in Chapter 183 of the Wicomico County Code and enforced by the Plumbing Official. IRC 322 Flood-resistant construction. Delete this section and text in its entirety and replace with the following: The standards shall be as set forth in Chapter 149 of the Wicomico County Code. Chapters R12 through R14 and Chapters R16 through R24. Delete these chapters and text in their entirety. R324 Moving of buildings.

15 No permit to remove/move a building or structure shall be granted until signatures have been obtained from adjoining property owners of the parcel upon which said building or structure is to be moved. If any of the joining property owners refuse to sign for the placement of the moved building, the applicant may appeal to the Board of Appeals, whereupon the adjoining property owners must be notified of the date, time and place of the appeal in order to give them an opportunity to be heard upon this application. All buildings for which a moving permit is granted as stipulated in this section must be repaired, remodeled or restored by the owner thereof to a condition suitable for occupancy in accordance with the conditions set forth in this code within a period of six months from the date said building is moved to the new location, and one extension of said six-month period may be granted upon application by the owner thereof to the County Executive; the granting of such extension shall be in the sole discretion of said County Executive Code declared remedial. This code is hereby declared to be remedial and shall be construed to secure the beneficial interests and purposes thereof, which are the health, general public safety and welfare of the general public Violations and penalties. [Amended by Bill No ] A. Any person, firm, corporation or agent who shall violate a provision of this chapter or fail to comply therewith or with any of the requirements thereof shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, if convicted, thereof before a court of competent jurisdiction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 or be imprisoned for not more than 30 days, or both, and, in addition, shall pay all costs and expenses involved in the case. Each day of violation shall constitute a separate and additional offense. B. Any person, firm, corporation or agent who shall violate a provision of this chapter or fail to comply thereafter or with any of the requirements thereof shall be guilty of a civil infraction and shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000 per violation. The fine shall be as specified in the schedule of fines adopted by the County Council for the violation charged. The Director of the Department of Planning, Zoning and Community Development or his designee is hereby authorized to issue citations for civil infractions of this chapter. Each day the violation continues shall constitute a separate violation. [Amended by Bill No ; by Bill No ] C. In case of any violation of this chapter, the county may, in addition to other remedies provided herein, institute any appropriate action or proceeding in Circuit Court, either by injunction or otherwise, to prevent such unlawful action and/or to restrain, correct or abate such violation, to prevent the occupancy of such building or structure and to prevent any illegal act in or about such premises. Article II. Public Safety Radio Amplification System

16 [Added by Bill No ] Purpose; general; certificate of occupancy. A. Purpose. The purpose of this article is to establish minimum standards to insure a reasonable degree of reliability for emergency services communications from within buildings and structures within the county to and from emergency communications centers. B. General. Except as otherwise provided, no person shall maintain, own, erect or construct any building or structure or any part thereof or cause the same to be done which fails to support adequate radio coverage for emergency service workers, including but not limited to firefighters and law enforcement officers. C. A certificate of occupancy may not be issued for any building or structure which fails to comply with the requirements contained in this section. A contractor or owner of any building or structure seeking a certificate of occupancy must present the Department of Planning, Zoning and Community Development a written letter from the Department of Emergency Services ("DES") or a DES form stating approval of the project, before any certificate of occupancy is issued. [Amended by Bill No ; by Bill No ] Definitions. [Added by Bill No ] As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated: OWNER Any person owning the building at issue or a person the owner designates to represent him or her in these matters Adequate radio coverage. A. Descriptively, "adequate coverage" means the ability for emergency services personnel to transmit into the building an intelligible voice signal that may be heard; the ability to receive an intelligible voice signal transmitted and originating from within the building; and, the ability to transmit and receive intelligible voice signals among emergency personnel who are within the building. B. For purposes of this section, adequate radio coverage shall include all of the following: (1) A minimum signal strength of minus 95 dbm available in 90% of the area of each floor of the building when transmitted from the dispatch communications system of the emergency personnel; (2) A minimum signal strength of minus 95 dbm received at the dispatch communications system of the emergency personnel when transmitted from 90% of the area of each floor of the building; (3) The frequency range which must be supported shall be as determined by the

17 Wicomico County Department of Emergency Services ("DES"). The Wicomico County Department of Planning, Zoning and Community Development is responsible for notifying the contractor, owner, or submitting party of the need to contact the DES regarding plan submittal to the DES for approval of the system. The DES will notify the Department of Planning, Zoning and Community Development after review, as to whether the plan is approved or not approved. [Amended by Bill No ; by Bill No ] (4) A reliability factor of 90%. C. When measuring the performance of a bidirectional amplifier, signal strength measurements are based on one input signal adequate to obtain a maximum continuous operating output level. D. Industry standard DAQ definitions are shown in Table 1. DAQ Level 3 is commonly specified as the minimum performance level for public safety systems. Table 1 Delivered Audio Quality (DAQ) Delivered Audio Quality Subjective Performance Description 1 Unusable, speech present but unreadable 2 Understandable with considerable effort; frequent repetition due to noise/distortion 3 Speech understandable with slight effort; occasional repetition required due to noise/distortion 3.5 Speech understandable with repetition only rarely required; some noise/distortion. 4 Speech easily understood; occasional noise/distortion 4.5 Speech easily understood; infrequent noise/distortion 5 Speech easily understood Amplification systems allowed. A. Buildings and structures which cannot support the required level of radio coverage as determined by the Wicomico County Department of Emergency Services ("DES") shall be equipped with any of the following in order to achieve the required adequate radio coverage: [Amended by Bill No ] (1) A radiating cable system; or (2) An internal multiple antenna system with or without FCC-accepted bidirectional

18 amplifiers as needed. B. If any part of the installed system(s) contain(s) an electrically powered component, the system shall be capable of operating on an independent battery and/or generator system for a period of at least 12 hours without external power input. The battery system shall automatically charge in the presence of an external power input. The amplification system, if powered, will be monitored by the building fire alarm system. If the system shifts to auxiliary power as stated above, the building fire alarm system will indicate trouble for that dedicated zone. If used, bidirectional amplifiers shall include filters to reduce adjacent frequency interference at least minus 35 db below the NPSPAC band. The filters shall be tuned to the MHz range determined in accordance with 117-4B(3). Other settings may be used, provided that they do not attenuate the NPSPAC frequencies and further provided that they are not more than one MHz from the NPSPAC frequencies. C. In the event that a signal booster is employed, it shall be fully encased within a NEMA 4 (or equivalent) dust/waterproof case Testing procedure. A. Acceptance testing. Officials from the Wicomico County Department of Emergency Services ("DES") or police or fire personnel of this jurisdiction may require tests to ensure sufficient overall two-way coverage within the building, including all areas located below grade as evidence of compliance with this Code. Tests are to be performed in the presence of said county personnel at no expense to this jurisdiction. [Amended by Bill No ] B. Annual tests. When an in-building radio system is required, the building owner shall test all active components of the system, including but not limited to amplifiers, power supplies and backup batteries, a minimum of once every 12 months. Amplifiers shall be tested to ensure that the gain is the same as it was upon initial installation and acceptance. Backup batteries and power supplies shall be tested under load for a period of one hour to verify that they will properly operate during an actual power outage. If within the one-hour test period, in the opinion of the testing technician, the battery exhibits symptoms of failure, the test shall be extended for additional one-hour periods until the testing technician confirms the integrity of the battery. All other active components shall be checked to determine that they are operating within the manufacturer's specifications for the intended purpose. C. Five-year tests. In addition to the annual test, the building owner shall perform a radio coverage test a minimum of once every five years to ensure that the radio system continues to meet the requirements of the original acceptance test. The procedure set forth above shall apply to such tests. D. Field tests. Police or fire personnel, or personnel from DES, after providing reasonable notice to the owner or his representative, shall have the right to enter onto the property to conduct field testing to be certain the required level of radio coverage is present. [Amended by Bill No ]

19 E. Qualifications of testing personnel. All tests shall be conducted, documented and signed by a person in possession of: (1) A current FCC license; or (2) A current technician certification issued by the Associated Public-Safety Communications Officials International (APCO); or (3) The Personal Communications Industry Association (PCIA); or (4) By a qualified member of the police or emergency services personnel. F. Retention of records. All test records shall be retained on the inspected premises by the building owner and a copy submitted to DES. DES may enter onto the property to inspect the records maintained. [Amended by Bill No ] Exemptions. [Amended by Bill No ] This article shall not apply to: buildings or structures owned by the State of Maryland, including public schools, universities, colleges, and community colleges; single-family residences of less than 5,000 square feet in residential districts that are not put to commercial or institutional use; any building constructed of wood frame; any building 35 feet high or less; as long as none of the aforementioned buildings make use of any metal construction or any underground storage or parking areas. For purposes of this section, parking structures and stairwells are included in the definition of "building" and stair shafts are included in the definition of all parts of a building but elevators may be excluded Waiver of standards. [Amended by Bill No ] The requirements of this article may be lessened upon a written request of the owner when unique or unusual circumstances exist within a building or structure which make full compliance with the article practically infeasible. Upon a review of the application by county staff, including the Wicomico County Department of Emergency Services ("DES"), Fire Chief, and Police Chief and their determination that said circumstances exist, to merit a lower standard of compliance without sacrificing the general intent of the article, a written waiver will be issued detailing the permissible variances. DES shall notify the building official and owner in writing of any waiver granted Violations. [Amended by Bill No ] Any person violating any of the provisions of this article shall be deemed guilty of a civil infraction and, upon conviction thereof, a citation will be issued and the person shall be fined in a sum not to exceed $500 for each offense, and a separate offense shall be deemed committed upon each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues to occur. The following officials from the Wicomico County Department of Emergency Services are authorized to issue citations for violations of this article: Director, Deputy Director and the Radio Systems Manager Severability.

20 If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase of this article shall for any reason be held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this article.