[Md-sligo] Info - Maryland's Smoke Alarm Law

[Reyazuddin, Yasmin]

Maryland's Smoke Alarm Law - Countdown

As you are aware, changes to Maryland's Smoke Alarm Law go into effect on January 1, 2018. Legislation was signed in 2013 with a phased-in implementation period for those affected to provide sufficient time to comply with the new law. As a department, we have been pushing information and educating the public on these changes since ... 2013.

The intent of the new Smoke Alarm Law was to transition away from smoke alarms using 9v batteries and to achieve more reliable smoke alarm coverage in older dwellings protected by battery-only smoke alarms. Smoke alarm technology has advanced over the years and the updates to Maryland's Smoke Alarm Law are part of a nationwide trend to ensure new and replacement smoke alarms have the most effective technology available.

While the new law heavily emphasizes the replacement of battery-operated smoke alarms with units featuring sealed, 10-year long-life batteries and silence/hush buttons, it is critical to understand that these devices are appropriate only where battery-operated smoke alarms presently exist as required by Code or in locations where no smoke alarms are present. It is never acceptable to remove required hard-wired smoke alarms and replace them with any type of battery-only operated device.  The law also requires the replacement of all smoke alarms (battery and hard-wired) 10 years from the manufacturer date printed on the back of the alarm. This replacement requirement is already in the adopted State Fire Code and by adding the wording in State Law, the "10 year rule" would be re-publicized resulting in widespread replacement of older nonfunctioning or unreliable smoke alarms.

1. Heads Up: A postcard about the new law is being mailed to County residents (Attachment 1). This may generate questions from the public. It may be good timing for a 'refresher' to ensure your personnel are up-to-date with new law.
2. Our website: www.mcfrs.org/mcsafe<http://www.mcfrs.org/mcsafe> continues to be a great resource for information about the new law. For example, you can find specific info on the legislation, multi-lingual PSAs, an easy-to-navigate graphic on residential smoke alarm requirements, educational flyers and how residents can request a free home safety check.

3. You have mail: coming via interoffice to each Station are multi-lingual flyers about the new law, holiday safety and fireplace safety.

4. Smoke Alarms 101: the document provides a comprehensive look at the new law. Can't sleep? This is the document for you! https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/MCFRS/Resources/Files/misc/Smoke_Alarm_Law_101.pdf

5. Social Media: information is posted regularly on the department twitter accounts, blog, etc.

Fire and Rescue personnel are frequently the only smoke alarm "experts" the general public will meet.
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