A new "Maryland Smoke Alarm Law" has been instituted in the State of Maryland and took effect today, July 1, 2013. During the 2013 session of the Maryland General Assembly, the 38 year old "Maryland Smoke Alarm Law" was completely rewritten and updated to take advantage of new technologies available to consumers. Senate Bill 969 ( http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2013RS/bills/sb/sb0969f.pdf ) and House Bill 1413 ( http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2013RS/bills/hb/hb1413t.pdf ) passed unanimously and have been signed into law by Governor Martin O'Malley. The "Maryland Smoke Alarm Law" will now be compatible with applicable national codes including, "NFPA 72 – National Fire Alarms and Signaling Code" and the "International Residential Code" for new construction.

More importantly, the law will require over the course of the next few years, an upgrade in smoke alarm coverage in existing homes. Under provisions of the new law, a single 9-volt battery operated smoke alarm in the second floor hallway will no longer be adequate in some existing older homes. The "Maryland Smoke Alarm Law" will require a minimum of one smoke alarm on every level of the home. Where battery operated smoke alarms are acceptable, sealed battery operated smoke alarms with long life batteries and hush button features will now be required.

Note: In Carroll County, code requires that all new construction homes or homes that are renovated by more than 50%, shall have hard wired smoke detection systems that are interconnected and have a battery back-up. Additionally, one smoke alarm shall be located on each floor; and in each sleeping area. For more information, contact the Carroll County Bureau of Permits and Inspections office at 410-386-2674 or click on this link: http://ccgovernment.carr.org/ccg/permits/

Many fire and rescue departments in Maryland, have been involved in very successful smoke alarm give away/installation programs, to protect the citizens of their communities. These programs have typically involved the use of smoke alarms with replaceable 9-volt batteries. In general, these devices have worked fine, however, burnt toast or frying bacon can sometimes activate the alarm and the occupant removes the battery to stop the alerting noise. On many occasions, the annoying chirp of the low battery alarm at 3:00 a.m. results in removal of the smoke alarm battery as well. Most of the time, the occupant intends to replace the battery, but forgets about it over a short period of time, to the point where the battery never gets replace at all. Dead or missing smoke alarm batteries are common in many loss of life fires and continue to be a factor in Maryland and across the United States.

The new smoke alarms have sealed long-life batteries (10 years) with a hush button feature as required by the law that took effect on July 1, 2013. The new smoke alarms will initially cost a few dollars more (around $20), however, eliminating the need to purchase and replace the battery once or twice every year, will actually save money over the ten year life of the new sealed battery smoke alarm. Most stores where you can currently purchase smoke alarms have already begun stocking these new, long-life smoke alarms and we encourage everyone to look into purchasing one smoke alarm for each floor of their home.

For additional information, you can review the "Maryland Smoke Alarm Technology Task Force Report" dated August 2012 online at: http://mdsp.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=-XeJdci2rdw%3d&tabid=580&mid=1538 ; or you can contact the Office of the State Fire Marshal at 410-653-8980.

Smoke Alarms save lives! It is a proven fact!

Aren't you and your family worth the few dollars it costs for a chance to survive the tragedy of a fire!