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.
Maryland Public Safety Article 9-104 mandates at least one smoke alarm in each sleeping area and on each level of a residential occupancy, including basements, but excluding unoccupied attics, garages, and crawl spaces. Homes built on or after July 1, 1990 must use AC-powered smoke alarms with battery backup, and if two or more alarms are required, they must be interconnected so that activation of one triggers all others. Pre-1975 homes may use battery-only alarms, but only sealed tamper-resistant units with long-life batteries and a silence/hush button are permitted. Smoke alarm placement must be upgraded when existing alarms exceed 10 years from manufacture date, fail operability tests, there is a change of tenant, or a building permit is issued for alterations. The Gaithersburg Fire Marshal enforces these requirements through inspections and during permit reviews.
Failure to maintain required smoke alarms: violation of MD Public Safety Article 9-104. Landlords must ensure compliance at tenant turnover. Fire Marshal may issue correction notices during inspections.
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