Smoke Detectors in Maryland (Frederick) - AC vs battery operated

[Andrey Y.]

I am in the process of preparing my Frederick property for the tenant. My real estate agent who uses zipLogix rental lease is trying to convince me that I HAVE to use the dual powered (AC and battery) smoke detector.

The lease is referring to § 9-102. Smoke alarms required in sleeping areas law. The § 9-102 refers to NFPA 101: Life Safety Code as adopted by the State Fire Prevention Commission. Eventually after drilling down through Maryland laws I do not see any mention of the dual powered smoke detectors requirements.

So I figured that BP might help me.

Thanks a lot !!!

Andrey

[Beth L.]

Andrey, I recently did some research on this matter for a unit that we are updating. I'm no expert, but it looks like it really depends on the year it was built and how many units are in the building.

Mine, for example, is half a duplex built in 1980, so I need to have at least one electric powered Smoke Alarm, permanently wired, in the sleeping area, which was already done at the time of construction (located in the hallway just outside the bedrooms). All other alarms must be new, sealed 10-year battery alarms (one on each level including the basement).

Here are a few links to articles that I found:

http://www.koffel.com/news/Press_Release/2013Smoke_Alarms_Explanation.pdf

http://www.kivfd.org/news/fullstory/newsid/192709/layout/no

http://www.kidde.com/PressRoom/Pages/Maryland%2010%20Year%20Smoke%20Alarms.aspx

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CFYQFjAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mdrealtor.org%2FPortals%2F0%2Fdocs%2FGovernmentAffairs%2FSmoke%2520Alarm%2520Md%2520Law.doc&ei=IHOIU66QD8TMsQSin4DgDw&usg=AFQjCNEdn1jMw0mm8jTr4YV4l1if6lxB9A&bvm=bv.67720277,d.cWc

Hope this helps!

Beth