Smoke Detectors: Gaithersburg vs Rockville
How do smoke detectors rules compare between Gaithersburg, MD and Rockville, MD?
Gaithersburg and Rockville have similar restriction levels.
Gaithersburg, MD
Montgomery County
Maryland Public Safety Article 9-104 requires smoke alarms on every level and in every sleeping area of all residential occupancies. Homes built after 1989 must have interconnected, hardwired alarms with battery backup. Alarms must be replaced every 10 years from date of manufacture.
View full Gaithersburg rules →Rockville, MD
Montgomery County
Maryland Public Safety Article 9-104 requires sealed, tamper-resistant smoke alarms with 10-year lithium batteries in all Rockville homes. CO detectors required on every level.
View full Rockville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Gaithersburg | Rockville |
|---|---|---|
| State Law | MD Public Safety Art. 9-104 | MD Public Safety Art. 9-104 |
| Placement | Every level and sleeping area | - |
| Post-1990 Homes | Hardwired with battery backup | - |
| Interconnection | Required if 2+ alarms | - |
| Replacement | Every 10 years | Every 10 years from manufacture |
| Battery Type | - | Sealed 10-year lithium required |
| CO Detectors | - | Required on every level |
| Contact | - | 240-314-8240 (Fire Marshal) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Gaithersburg FAQ
What type of smoke alarm does my Gaithersburg home need?
Homes built after July 1, 1990 require AC-powered smoke alarms with battery backup. If two or more are required, they must be interconnected. Pre-1975 homes may use sealed long-life battery units.
When must smoke alarms be replaced?
Smoke alarms must be replaced when they exceed 10 years from the date of manufacture, fail operability tests, or when there is a tenant change in rental properties.
Where must smoke alarms be installed?
At least one on each level including basements, and one in each sleeping area. Unoccupied attics, garages, and crawl spaces are excluded.
Rockville FAQ
What type of smoke alarm does Maryland require?
Maryland requires sealed, tamper-resistant smoke alarms with 10-year lithium batteries and a hush button. Removable-battery alarms are no longer permitted as replacements under Public Safety Article 9-104.
When must smoke alarms be replaced?
Replace alarms when they exceed 10 years from the manufacture date printed on the back, when they fail testing, or upon a change of tenant if not already upgraded to sealed-battery units.
Are carbon monoxide detectors required in Rockville?
Yes. Montgomery County requires CO detectors on every level of the home including basements, installed near sleeping areas.
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