The Smoke Alarm Law Here Has Changed

IMPORTANT – as of January 1, 2018, all homes and apartments in Maryland are to no longer have old style battery-powered smoke
or carbon monoxide alarms. They are to be replaced with
units powered by sealed-in, 10-year batteries.

1. Maryland’s new Smoke Alarm Law requires the replacement of BATTERY-ONLY smoke alarms with new alarms powered by sealed-in, 10-year long-life batteries by January 1, 2018.

2. Smoke alarms have expiration dates. Both hard-wired and battery-operated smoke alarms need to be replaced with new ones every 10 years from the date of manufacture (printed on the back of all smoke alarms). If a date can’t be found on the unit, then the smoke alarm is most likely more than 10 years old. If your smoke alarms have not been replaced since 2007, it’s time to change them out!

3. Smoke Alarm requirements vary based on when your house was built. It is NEVER acceptable to remove required hard-wired smoke alarms and replace them with any type of battery-operated device. Neighboring Pennsylvania residents are strongly encouraged to likewise change out old smoke alarms, too. Detailed information can be found on the website for the Office of the MD State Fire Marshal - http://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/b43632_9c871a9bf8544fb5ae4312554a69bf3a.pdf

4. Have questions? Need a hand? We’re here to help! Call the VHC fire station at 301-447-2728 or visit us at: Vigilant Hose Company, 25 West Main Street / P.O. Box 171, Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727, fireprevention@vhc.org

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