A proposed bill could make Montgomery County the first in the United States to require owners of multi-family residential buildings to provide smoke escape hoods for tenants. Councilmember Kate Stewart introduced Bill 4326, aiming to bolster fire safety in high-rise buildings, following the fatal 2023 Arrive apartment fire in Silver Spring.
The legislation would mandate that owners of residential rental buildings five stories or higher supply a minimum of 5% of the building’s occupancy in smoke escape hoods. These wearable devices offer 15 minutes of filtered air, protecting against smoke, fumes, and toxic fire gases, allowing residents vital time to evacuate.
“This is actually the a great first step and the partnership with the Diaz family has been simply amazing,” said Councilmember Stewart, referencing the family of Melanie Diaz, who died in the Arrive apartment fire. Her family’s advocacy has been instrumental in pushing for enhanced safety measures.
Fire and Rescue Chief Cory Smley noted the practical challenges firefighters face in carrying enough hoods for all residents in large buildings. “It is no way we’re going to be able to carry um with everything else that we do this many escape hoods um on our person,” Smley explained. He likened the proposed requirement to existing mandates for fire extinguishers, suggesting building owners could store the hoods on-site.
The bill also includes tenant notification, maintenance, inspection, and storage requirements. The Fire Chief may require up to 10% of building occupancy for additional hoods. Smley added that this approach allows for creative solutions in working with building owners to ensure hoods are conspicuously located and known to residents and firefighters.
Melanie’s family previously donated smoke escape hoods to the fire department, a move Stewart called a “critical first step.” The initiative has also seen the use of county budget funds to supplement the effort.
