Smoke Alarms: Seven units to go to 100% compliance

To: Owners at 900 Marshy Cove,

Re: Smoke Detectors in Units

Effective January 1, 2018, Maryland Law requires all residential smoke detectors to be replaced every ten years and with “ten-year battery” units. Our building type and construction date require that they are to be replaced with hardwired, interconnected smoke alarms, Regular battery types do not comply with the Maryland State Law.

Compliance

In the condo association’s effort to achieve 100% compliance, we are asking all owners to upgrade your unit’s smoke alarms to the 2018 standard.  If you particip[ated in our upgrade program, no action is necessary. If you have upgraded your system independently, please contact Sentry or the board by email at mc900@comcast.net.

If no record of the upgrade is received by August 31, the board will take action to install the smoke alarms and assess the unit owner’s account for the materials and labor. This action is supported by the association’s bylaws.

Life Cycle of Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms do not last forever and units that are 10 years old are near the end of their service life and must be replaced. Both hard-wired and battery-operated alarms are equally affected by age. Just like any electrical appliance, the circuitry and components of smoke alarms wear out over time. When a smoke alarm reaches 10 years of use, the potential of failing to detect a fire increases substantially and replacing units after 10 years

Replacement Program

The replacement of smoke detectors in units is the responsibility of each owner. Our smoke detectors are hard-wired and should be replaced by a certified electrician.  They cannot be replaced with non-hardwired smoke alarms. 

To expedite the replacement of unit smoke detectors, the 900 Marshy Cove Condo Association has organized a program with a professional electrician.  You can take advantage of the program by submitting the attached form (Smoke Alarm Form- click here) and returning it to the 900MC Condo Association in care of Sentry Management or depositing it the suggestion box in the lobby. You may, of course, hire your own service provider or contact Max Myers directly.  Let us know when the work is complete.

The estimated cost will be $265 for 4 ten-year hard-wired smoke detectors which include installation. All but, seven units are compliant,

Continued non-compliance puts us all at risk as well as affecting insurance coverage. Compliance is mandated by law.

Note: The smoke alarms inside our units are not connected to the fire evacuation alarm.

Questions:   mc900@comcast.net

Next Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors: 

Saturday,  September 8, 2018 , 10:00 AM