It was 2 AM, and Joe was sound asleep in his bedroom. Suddenly, he was rudely awakened by a high-pitched alarm. It was the smoke detector going off! But he didn’t smell any smoke. And he didn’t see any signs of fire in the house. Another false alarm! This was the third time this month! After silencing the stupid device and muttering a few choice words, Joe resolved to do something about it.

The next day, Joe called us at Dynamo Electric. It turns out he had that brand of smoke detector that tends to malfunction with false alarms in the middle of the night. We see this all the time. And this is just one of the many reasons people call us about smoke detectors.

Here are some of the common issues we help solve regarding smoke detectors:

Replacing faulty smoke detectors that give false alarms

We frequently hear complaints about smoke detectors that are giving too many false alarms, especially in the middle of the night. Although this isn’t a safety issue, it is of course a disturbing nuisance. If you are having this problem, be assured that your smoke detectors will still probably function normally in case of a real fire.

We have found that most of the devices giving false alarms are from a certain brand that is very commonly found in households. For all the new smoke detectors we install, we are using a different brand, based on our experience with various manufacturers. If you are having too many false alarms with your smoke detectors, contact us. We can recommend the best smoke detector manufacturer and product for your unique situation.

Installing new hardwired smoke detectors

According to Maryland law, hardwired smoke alarms must be replaced with hardwired devices, not battery-only alarms. (If you are using battery-powered smoke detectors, then we can also coach you through what you need to know.)

To ensure that your hardwired devices are safely and properly installed, it’s always best to rely on trusted, professional electricians who are licensed and fully insured. At Dynamo Electric, we can install all your new smoke detectors. We can also troubleshoot or replace your existing devices. We can also test your smoke detectors for proper functioning; or if you’d rather learn how to do the testing yourself, we can coach you through that process.

Providing guidance on smoke detector compliance in Maryland

We often get calls from property owners who aren’t sure if their smoke detectors are up to code. If you’re confused about the Maryland smoke detector law, we can help guide you in staying compliant. This is essential for every homeowner and rental property owner.

In Maryland, each house needs to have one smoke detector per floor in the common areas, as well as one smoke detector inside each bedroom. Maryland law also requires that smoke alarms over 10 years old must be replaced. This is because the devices lose their operational sensitivity after 10 years.

Rely on our professional electricians

Maybe you’re like our customer Joe, and you are sick and tired of your smoke detector giving false alarms. Or maybe you want new smoke detectors installed, or you want some guidance on being smoke-detector compliant in Maryland.

If you’re dealing with any of these common smoke detector issues, or if you have any other questions or concerns, then give us a call. With our expertise in the industry, Dynamo Electric can provide solutions for these issues, plus more.

Please contact us for your free estimate or consultation. If you need a service call, then we will be happy to provide a quote.