Smoke detector obligation: You must observe this deadline when installing your smoke alarm device

Deadline ends: Where and by when do you have to install a smoke detector

Berlin/Offenbach.These are small, inconspicuous devices that don't take up any space, but may save lives can: smoke alarm device. In most apartments and houses in Germany they are already hanging from the ceiling - in some cases for almost ten years. In Berlin and Brandenburg, however, this is not yet mandatory.

This is where the deadline for the turn of the year ends: smoke alarms must be installed in all living rooms from January 1st. Until now, there was still a transitional period for existing buildings. That explains the Forum Fire Smoke Prevention in Berlin.

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Exception rule in Saxony

From the new year, only Saxony will be an exception: Here, in all new and Modifications Smoke alarm devices are hanging, but not in stock.

In other federal states such as Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania or Schleswig-Holstein, it has been mandatory for ten years to have smoke alarms in living spaces. More precisely: Devices must be installed in bedrooms, children's rooms and in corridors that are considered escape routes. In some federal states, living rooms are added.

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The overview of the federal states according to information from the fire smoke prevention forum. We have marked in bold where a new smoke detector needs to be installed or where the old one needs to be replaced.

Replace smoke alarm devices after ten years

Smoke alarm devices have a life expectancy of ten years. This means that in the federal states where it was mandatory ten years ago to install the devices, new ones are now needed. Depending on the federal state, either the tenant or the owner is responsible for the maintenance of the smoke alarm device. However, the apartment owners are generally responsible for the exchange. This is announced by the Elektro+ initiative.

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Experts recommend paying attention to the quality and seal of approval when buying a smoke alarm device. You are therefore on the safe side with the "Q" seal. This is a seal of quality from the Fire Smoke Prevention Forum. It stands for safety, durability and quality of the device.

RND/vca/dpa