FW-WRN: Friday, August 13th is National Smoke Detector Day

12.08.2021 – 20:21

Werne Volunteer Fire Department

Werne (ots)

Two thirds of all fire victims are still caught in their sleep. A smoke detector (also known as a smoke alarm) gives early warning of smoke gas development with a loud, acoustic alarm signal and thus saves lives. In which rooms are smoke detectors mandatory in North Rhine-Westphalia? Your Werne volunteer fire brigade would like to answer these and other questions for this year's nationwide "Smoke Detector Day on Friday August 13th, 2021". The nationwide Smoke Detector Day has been held every Friday the 13th since 2006.

This year's motto is: "Check smoke detectors annually and replace them after 10 years. Because only functioning smoke detectors save lives!".

Only 120 seconds to survive

Most people do not know how to react properly in the event of a fire and thus unintentionally endanger themselves. After all, you only have around 120 seconds to get to safety from the toxic fire smoke. The installation of smoke detectors and the correct behavior in the event of a fire are therefore vital. The danger in a fire is not the fire itself, but the highly toxic smoke from the fire. Even three breaths can be deadly.

Correct behavior in case of fire

In the event of a fire, people quickly panic and act irrationally. In stressful situations, people jump out of windows, run into smoky stairwells or small children hide. The following applies: If there is a fire in the apartment, you should leave it as soon as possible. If the stairwell is on fire or if it is full of smoke, stay in the apartment and call the fire brigade on the emergency number 112. It is important to close all doors so that fire and smoke cannot get into the apartment.

More about correct behavior in the event of a fire at: www.rauchmelder-lebensretter.de/120sek

The deadline for installing smoke detectors for new buildings and conversions has been since April 1st, 2013. There was a transition period for existing buildings, but this expired on December 31, 2016. Now all smoke detectors must be installed at the latest.

Many fellow citizens ask our comrades from the Werne volunteer fire brigade where you have to attach the smoke detectors in your apartments and houses?

Basically, this applies to all bedrooms and children's rooms. Likewise, at least one smoke detector must be installed in apartments, in all corridors that lead to the stairwell or to the outside as escape routes. In detached houses with an open staircase, this is also considered an escape route and must be equipped with a detector on each floor.

There are also many questions for tenants and owners, such as: "Who is actually responsible for the installation and maintenance of the smoke detectors?" In the case of self-used and rented living space, the owner must install the smoke detectors! In rented apartments, the tenant or resident of the apartment (in technical jargon: the owner) is responsible for smoke detector maintenance (operational readiness).

Nevertheless, the landlord is always obliged to keep the detectors he has installed operational, i.e. to take on the regular maintenance. This obligation under tenancy law also supersedes different regulations on responsibility for the maintenance of smoke alarm devices in individual state building codes! In self-used living space, however, the owner is always responsible.

We are often asked where smoke detectors can be bought? You can purchase these at your local electronics store, online stores, and hardware stores. Online shops convince with a large selection and are well suited to get an initial overview of the different models. This also applies to hardware stores and electronics stores, even if the range of smoke detectors is not as wide-ranging as on the Internet. Online shops are suitable for buyers who know exactly what they want and have no need for expert advice. However, an advantage in the electronics store is the personal and expert advice.

Since 2008, only smoke detectors that have been tested according to EN 14604 and have the CE marking including the certificate number and the statement "EN 14604" may be placed on the market. However, this CE marking does not contain any qualitative statement about the smoke detector, but only that the product marked in this way can be legally traded in the European internal market. Therefore, please pay attention to tested quality - such as the "Q" seal. This "Q" seal stands for high-quality smoke detectors with a long service life and better protection against false alarms.

And if there is a fire in your apartment, your Werne volunteer fire brigade advises you to behave as follows:

 - It's important to keep calm! Don't panic, it will spread to others! Instead, try to calm other people down with your rational actions. Immediately leave the apartment with all other household members. Don't stop to pick up anything!

 - When leaving the apartment, close every door you come through. This will prevent the fire from spreading. In case of heavy smoke, crawl close to the ground and avoid inhaling smoke. If possible, cover your mouth and nose with a wet cloth.

 - Call the fire department (112) from outside the building. Speak calmly and clearly, give your name, address and location of the fire (if possible say whether people or animals are in danger and what is on fire).

 - If you can no longer safely leave the apartment, close the door and block the cracks with blankets or similar. Call the fire department on 112 and wait for rescue at the open window. Never jump out of the window out of fear! Never flee down the smoke-filled stairwell, because just a few breaths of smoke can lead to unconsciousness and then to death.

Smoke detectors save lives! The 160 men and women distributed in the fire-fighting groups and fire-fighting trains of the Werne volunteer fire brigade are available 365 days a year, around the clock, to help you in need and danger.

For inquiries please contact:

Werne Volunteer Fire DepartmentPress SpokesmanTobias Tenk (Chief Fire Chief)Telephone: 0151 22788827Email: tobias.tenk@feuerwehr-werne.dehttp://www.feuerwehr-werne.de

Original content from: Werne volunteer fire brigade, transmitted by news aktuell