The Maryland Smoke Alarm Law was recently updated. New requirements went into effect January 1, 2018. The goal is to reduce the number of fire related deaths. I put together a rundown of the requirements and why they are important. Click here for full details on the Maryland Smoke Alarm Law.
Maryland Smoke Alarm Law Requirements
The new Maryland Smoke Alarm Law applies to any battery-only operated smoke alarm that is more than 10 years old. Home owner should replace them with an alarm with a 10-year sealed-in battery having a “hush” button.
Also, it is important to note that this only applies to existing battery-only operated smoke alarms. You should never remove wired smoke alarms and replace them with any type of battery-only operated device.
Why these changes are important
The Office of the Fire Marshall reports that two-thirds of all home fire deaths happen when there is no smoke alarm or no working smoke alarm. This often is the result of missing or disconnected batteries. Sealed batteries me the devices tamper resistant. Also, home owners don’t have to remember to replace the batteries.
As a result of the new law, the hope is that many home owners will replace outdated or unreliable alarms.
It is advised that you place smoke on every level of your home – especially just outside or or inside every bedroom.
In conclusion
Home owners who have not updated their smoke alarms should do so immediately.
State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci said it best:
“The importance of ensuring the proper maintenance and use of smoke alarms is paramount. The materials used in products we keep in our homes tend to burn much more readily, thus giving us a very limited window of time to escape the effects of fire. These early warning devices can be the difference between life or death in an incident of an uncontrolled fire inside our homes”.
