The State of Maryland will begin enforcing tamper resistant smoke alarms effective Monday October 1st, 2018. This requires residents to switch over from battery-operated smoke alarms to tamper-resistant detectors. The law has been in place since January. However the period of grace is over and enforcement will begin.
Fire Marshall Discusses Tamper Resistant Smoke Alarms
“Long life detectors are newer technology, better technology, and you can’t remove the batteries,” Hagerstown Fire Marshal Doug DeHaven explains. “Because the batteries are lasting longer, you are investing in a more reliable means of safety.
“Tamper resistant smoke alarms have long-life batteries and these cannot be removed without damaging the device,” he adds. This should end the problem of residents turning off their smoke alarm because of low-battery alerts beeping at night. Montgomery County has issued a fact sheet that makes such good sense we append a link to it at the end of this post and a video summary below.
But Hard-Wired Smoke Alarms Are Still the Preferred Solution
However, the Montgomery fact sheet emphasizes the intention is only to replace standalone battery-operated smoke alarms with tamper resistant smoke alarms. “It is critical to understand that these devices are appropriate only where battery-operated smoke alarms presently exist,” it says
“It is never acceptable to remove required hard-wired smoke alarms and replace them with any type of battery-only operated device.” The requirement to replace all forms of smoke alarms when they are ten years old still remains in force. The date of manufacture should appear on the back of the alarm. If it is absent the device is likely outdated and needs replacement.
The Maryland fact sheet opens with the words “Fire and rescue personnel are frequently the only smoke alarm “experts” the general public will meet.” It wants this to be when the fire marshal stops by for a friendly inspection, not when there is smoke billowing out the house.
Related
Check Smoke Alarms This Winter Time
Time to Change Those Smoke Alarm Batteries
Preview Image: Fire Team Responds to Smoke Alarm
Video Share Link: https://youtu.be/oPFgRQLHU48
