Smoke escape hoods in high-rises (Bill 43-26)
Montgomery County
Summary
Following the deadly 2023 Arrive apartment fire, a bill would require buildings five stories or taller to stock smoke escape hoods for firefighters to deploy during evacuations. Smoke inhalation is the leading cause of fire deaths, and Montgomery County fire crews were the first in the nation to use the devices.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 2
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 6, 2026.
Impact analysis
Building owners bear purchase and maintenance costs, which cannot be passed to tenants.
Residents of tall apartment buildings, who gain a life-saving evacuation tool during fires.
Apartment building owners, who would bear new equipment and maintenance costs.
Mentions & discussions (2)
Council Session - Oct 6, 2026
The bill would require smoke escape hoods in rental buildings five stories and up; CASA wants broader coverage and tenant access, while the apartment industry wants deployment protocols studied first.
Council Session - Sep 15, 2026
Following the deadly 2023 Arrive apartment fire, a bill would require buildings five stories or taller to stock smoke escape hoods for firefighters to deploy during evacuations. Smoke inhalation is the leading cause of fire deaths, and Montgomery County fire crews were the first in the nation to use the devices.
We'll email you when it's on an upcoming agenda and when it's voted on, at most once a day.
The weekly brief for Montgomery County
What the council decided, in plain English — one email a week.
Free. Unsubscribe with one click any time. We never sell your email.