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NEWS ADVISORY

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service

Steven E. Lohr, Fire Chief

Public Safety Headquarters, 100 Edison Park Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20878Assistant Chief Scott Graham, Executive OfficerPhone: 240.876.1260 Media line: 240.777.2442 @MCFirePIO

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 16, 2013

Smoke Alarm Law Catches Up With TechnologyImportant Information You Need to Know

Montgomery County, MD - - Maryland is the most recent state to require that homeownersreplace battery-only operated smoke alarms with units powered by sealed-in, long-life batteries. Smokealarm technology has advanced over the years and the update to Marylands Smoke Alarm Law alsorequires that residential battery-operated smoke alarms be equipped with a hush-button feature thatwill temporarily silence the alarm if activated by a non-emergency condition.

During the 2013 session of the Maryland General Assembly, the existing thirty-eight year old MarylandSmoke Alarm Law was amended and updated to take advantage of new technology. Senate Bill 969and House Bill 1413 passed unanimously and were signed into law by Governor OMalley effective July1, 2013.

The technological advances of battery-operated residential smoke alarms combined with 10-year, long-

life batteries offer a decade of protection, said Fire Chief Steve Lohr. Smoke alarms are one of themost important safety features to have in your home and while residents will have until January 1, 2018to comply with the new law, were urging residents to upgrade their alarms now.

Under the provisions of the law for all new residential units constructed after July 1, 2013, at least onesmoke alarm must be installed in each sleeping room, in the hallway or common area outside of sleepingrooms, and in the hallway or common area on each level within a residential dwelling unit, includingbasements and excluding specified unoccupied spaces such as attics. Additionally, the residentialproperty disclosure form provided to the purchaser of specified single-family residential real propertymust include whether the smoke alarms (1) are over 10 years old and (2) if battery-operated, are sealed,tamper-resistant units incorporating a silence/hush button and use long-life batteries as required in all

Maryland homes by 2018.

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Marylands new law is part of a nationwide trend to ensure new and replacement smoke alarms havethis new technology. It is anticipated that smoke alarms equipped with long-life batteries will have asignificant impact on reducing the number of residential fire deaths. Montgomery County residents cancall 311 to schedule a free in-home smoke alarm check by County firefighters and additionalinformation is included on page 2 of this release.

For detailed information about Senate Bill 969:http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2013RS/fnotes/bil_0009/sb0969.pdf

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2013RS/fnotes/bil_0009/sb0969.pdfhttp://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2013RS/fnotes/bil_0009/sb0969.pdf

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Smoke Alarm Facts

How effective are smoke alarms?Residential fire deaths have decreased steadily as the number of homes with smoke alarms increased.Reports from the National Fire Protection Association indicate that working smoke alarms double thechance of surviving a fire in homes equipped with the recommended number of smoke alarms.

When do I need to replace my smoke alarm?Smoke alarms do not last forever and units that are 10 years old are near the end of their service life andshould be replaced. Just like any electrical appliance, the circuitry and components of smoke alarmswear out over time. When a smoke alarm reaches 10 years of use, the potential of failing to detect a fireincreases substantially and replacing units after 10 years reduces the likelihood of failure.

My smoke alarm units are wired into my electrical system. Do I need to replace them as often asbattery-operated alarms?Yes. Both hard-wired and battery-operated alarms are equally affected by age.Note: the legislation signed into law on July 1, 2013 applies to battery-only powered alarms.

How many smoke alarms should I have?Under the provisions of the law for all new residential units constructed after July 1, 2013, at least onesmoke alarm must be installed in each sleeping room, in the hallway or common area outside of sleepingrooms, and in the hallway or common area on each level within a residential dwelling unit, includingbasements and excluding specified unoccupied spaces such as attics.

Various requirements for smoke alarm type and placement exist for different time periods inMontgomery County. For specific requirements:http://www6.montgomerycountymd.gov/content/frs-safe/resources/laws/alarms.asp

Is there anything new I need to know if I am selling my house?The residential property disclosure form provided to the purchaser of specified single-family residential

real property must include whether the smoke alarms (1) are over 10 years old and (2) if battery-operated, are sealed, tamper-resistant units incorporating a silence/hush button and use long-lifebatteries as required in all Maryland homes by 2018.

Why is the hush feature important?Smoke alarms are available with a hush button that can be used to temporarily silence the alarm. Thisis a convenient way to deal with nuisance alarms, such as those caused by burning toast or openingsmoky ovens, without disabling the alarm. The hush button will silence the alarm for several minutesand then automatically reset itself. Smoke alarms with this feature discourage the dangerous practice ofremoving the battery or disconnecting the power source as a method of dealing with frequent nuisancealarms. If smoke continues to build from an actual fire while the alarm is in hush mode, the smoke will

override the silence feature and the smoke alarm will reactivate.

How can I test my alarm?Every smoke alarm comes with a test button. MCFRS recommends that people test their alarms at leastonce a month.

I want to know more!Please visit our website at www.mcfrs.org/mcsafe

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http://www6.montgomerycountymd.gov/content/frs-safe/resources/laws/alarms.asphttp://www.mcfrs.org/mcsafehttp://www6.montgomerycountymd.gov/content/frs-safe/resources/laws/alarms.asphttp://www.mcfrs.org/mcsafe