Are smoke detectors mandatory in my (rented) home?

Are smoke detectors mandatory in your home, rented home or social housing? We'll explain whether smoke detectors are required in your home or not. The legislation varies per region where the property is located. 1. Flemish Region Houses (properties) As of 1 January 2013, in the following 2 cases, smoke detectors must be installed that meet the requirements of the Flemish Government. Houses still to be built Houses that are being renovated and for which an urban development permit is required. Rental homes All rental homes for which a lease is concluded after 1 January 2013 are also subject to the new legislation and must be have smoke detectors, in accordance with the requirements of the Flemish Government. The receipt must be attached to the rental agreement and can be shown if demanded. All other accommodations that are leased as primary residences need to have smoke detectors if they are built before 1945: smoke detectors need to be installed at the latest within three years after 1st January 2013; built after 1945: smoke detectors need to be installed at the latest within six years after 1st January 2013. The landlord is responsible for the purchase and installation costs; the maintenance and replacement of the batteries is the tenant's responability. Social housing For social housing, the year of construction plays a major role. Social housing must be have a smoke detector if the house is built before 1950: smoke detectors need to be installed at the latest within one year after 1 January 2013; built after 1950 and before 1970: smoke detectors need to be installed at the latest within two years after 1 January 2013; built after 1970 and before 1980: smoke detectors need to be installed at the latest within three years from 1 January 2013; built after 1980: smoke detectors need to be installed at the latest within four years after 1 January 2013. All houses for which a special social loan is granted and for which the deed is drawn up after 1 January 2013 must also be equipped with smoke detectors. How many smoke detectors should I install? Legislation only requires the installation of "sufficient" smoke detectors. This means that at least 1 smoke detector should be installed per floor, preferably in the stairwell or hallway or on the escape route. This is only a basic security measure; check our article " Which and how many detectors do I need? " for more recommendations. 2. Brussels-Capital Region In the Brussels-Capital Region, every rental property must be equipped with smoke detectors. You must install at least 1 smoke alarm per room on the escape route. This detector should have a lithium battery of at least 5 years. 3. Walloon Region In the Walloon Region, too, every residence, whether rented or owned, must be equipped with smoke detectors. You must provide at least 1 smoke detector per floor, and several ones if one story is larger than 150m². The smoke alarms should all have a lithium battery of at least 5 years.

Which and how many detectors do I need?

According to statistics, the installation of fire detectors reduces the risk of a fatal fire by as much as 70%. Installing fire alarms is therefore an essential basic necessity in order to make your home safe. On this page you can find some general tips about the number and type of smoke detectors you can install. The difference between smoke, heat, CO and gas detectors There are different types of fire detectors: smoke detectors, heat detectors and CO detectors. Each one has its own distinct function. Smoke detectors only detect smoke itself: by means of an optical measuring system, the detector continuously registers whether and how many smoke particles are in the air. If there are too many, the detector will sound an alarm. Since smoke always rises, it is important to hang a smoke alarms as high as possible, preferably on the ceiling. Only if you have a pyramidal roof, you should install the detector 30cm lower than the ridge of the roof because stagnant air can prevent smoke from rising. Heat detectors do not detect smoke, but continuously measure the temperature of the room. They sound an alarm if the temperature exceeds a certain limit. Heat detectors are very useful in places where smoke detectors would give too many false alarms, especially in places where a lot of (water) vapor or other gases may be present, such as in the kitchen, bathroom and garage. CO detectors continuously measure the amount of carbon monoxide, or CO, in the room. Carbon monoxide is a very dangerous gas. It spreads evenly through the air if it doesn't burn up properly and there's not enough oxygen to form CO2. It's odourless and invisible. CO detectors are therefore essential in homes that are heated by a combustion boiler. Gas detectors do not detect carbon monoxide, but they do detect other gases. They measure the presence of natural gas, butane, propane and LPG. Depending on the type of gas you want to detected, you can place the detector low to the ground (butane and propane) or close to the ceiling (natural gas and LPG). How many and what kind of detectors do I need? It's recommended to install at least one smoke detector per floor. It is best to install the smoke alarm on the escape route, which is usually the hall. That, however, is the absolute minimum. If you want to improve your security, it is recommended that you also install a smoke detector in the bedrooms and, by extension, the living room. For the kitchen and garage, opt for heat detectors to avoid false alarms. See the article " Where to Install Smoke Alarms ?" for more information about the placement of Smoke Alarms. CO detectors are recommended in houses where the heating is based on combustion. It is best to install a CO detector in the hall of the bedrooms, not too close to the boiler itself to avoid false alarms. If necessary, you can place extra CO detectors in the bedrooms themselves. Be sure to place enough CO detectors if each bedroom has a separate combustion unit! Check out the article " Where to place CO detectors? " for more information about the placement of CO detectors. Do you use gas for heating or cooking? Then a gas detector is recommended. It is best to install a gas detector in every room where gas-consuming appliances are installed. Which detectors are recommended? Nowadays, fire detectors come in all shapes and sizes. Two main categories can be distinguished: Wireless detectors : these are detectors (smoke detectors, and in some systems also heat and CO detectors) that all give a signal if one of the detectors in the system detects danger. If one alarm goes off, all alarms go off. These are often slightly more expensive systems, but they have the clear advantage that you will always hear a loud alarm. Non-wireless detectors : these are autonomous detectors, each device gives its own alarm signal. These detectors are a bit cheaper than wireless detectors. First of all, decide whether it makes sense to go for a wireless alarm system or not. It might come in handy in in larger locations and in apartment buildings, where the alarm from a single detector may not be heard on the other side of the building. A single detector traditionally has an alarm signal of 85db. This is loud enough to bridge a floor. Then find out what type of battery system you prefer for the detector. The battery systems can be roughly classified as follows: 9 volt battery detectors: these are the standard smoke detectors and usually the cheapest. The battery needs to be replaced once a year. AA battery detector : an intermediate model. The batteries need to be replaced approximately every three years. Lithium battery detectors : the crème de la crème. The batteries never need to be replaced; they will last for 10 years. 230 V detectors : these are smoke detectors that you connect to the electric supply and that do not operate on batteries. They do have a backup battery, which will keep the detector running in the event of a power failure. After ten years, you should always completely replace a detector (this may need to happen faster in the case of CO and gas detectors; always check the manufacturer's instructions). This way, the reliability of the sensor is guaranteed. It's best to buy detectors with a longer battery life. This way, you avoid forgetting to replace the battery and annoying battery replacement signals from the detector when the battery needs to be replaced. If your budget does not allow this, opt for detectors with a shorter battery life, but try to arrange a fixed moment to replace the batteries (e.g. at the beginning of winter). What are the best selling models? For connectable detectors, we have two front runners: The Alecto wireless smoke detector with 9V battery for the detector itself and AA batteries for the coupling system. An affordable system of detectors that comes with three detectors. Now with free magnetic mounting kits! The Fire Angel Wi-Safe 2 system containing smoke , heat and CO detectors with lithium batteries that you don't need to replace. This system is more expensive to buy, but offers you a complete protection. For the non-connectable detectors, the detectors with lithium batteries are our best sellers: The First Alert Smoke Alarm with 10-year-old lithium battery is a classic that lets you sleep soundly. Now with free magnetic mounting kit! The Fire Angel Thermoptek Smoke Alarm with 10-year-old lithium battery is our top smoke detector, with additional built-in heat sensor to avoid false alarms as much as possible and to sound alarms faster in case of a slow smouldering fire. Now with free magnetic mounting kit! The Fire Angel Thermistek heat detecto r with 10-year lithium battery is the showpiece of the heat detectors, with a differential thermometer that continuously measures temperature changes. The Fire Angel CO detector with 10-year lithium battery has a long-life sensor and battery so you can sleep soundly. Do I have to drill into the ceiling to install a detector? All detectors are delivered with a wall mounting system that you have to drill into the wall or ceiling. Don't want to drill? Then use a magnetic mounting kit . It consists of two magnetic plates: one is pasted on the detector, the other on the ceiling. This way, your detector remains magnetically suspended and you don't have to drill. The ceiling plate can be removed if you want to move the detector.

Are smoke detectors the responsibility of the tenant or landlord?

We make a distinction between smoke detectors in rental homes and in commercial premises. Smoke detectors in rental homes Leases after 2013 If you rent out a house or apartment in the Flemish Region , you are obliged to install a smoke detector if the lease has been set up after 1 January 2013. However, the tenant is responsible for battery changes. Leases before 2013 Smoke detectors are not yet compulsory in this case - even if the lease has been automatically renewed after 2013. If the house dates from before 1945, you will have to have provided a smoke detector by 1 January 2016. If that is not the case, you have until 1 January 2019 to sort it out. If you rent out a dorm room, you do have to provide a smoke detector. In Wallonia , the installation of smoke detectors is already mandatory for all rental contracts as of 1 July 2006. In the Brussels-Capital Region, it has been compulsory since 1 July 2005. Smoke detectors in commercial premises Smoke detectors are not mandatory in offices and commercial premises. Fire extinguishers are compulsory, but this is the tenant's responsibility.

Are smoke alarms mandatory for B&Bs or hotels?

Yes, all bed & breakfasts and hotels are required to install smoke alarms. This is regulated in the new Flemish Tourism Decree of April 1st 2017. You can find the complete text of the law on the website of Tourism Flanders. The decree divides accommodation into three main categories: Room-related accommodation with less than 6 rental units and less than 13 sleeping accommodations. Room-related accommodation with more than 5 rental units or with more than 12 sleeping accommodations. Terrain-related accommodation (such as campsites, smoke alarms are not required in this case) The regulation for small accommodations is the simplest. B&Bs and small hotels must provide a smoke detector in every room and one extra smoke detector in every room on the escape route (to the entrance door). You should provide at least 1 smoke alarm on each floor. The smoke alarms should have a built-in non-replaceable battery that lasts for at least 5 years. For larger hotels, the situation is a lot more complex. In exceptional situations (32 beds and one rental unit max.), autonomous, wireless connectable smoke detectors are still allowed, but in other situations you must provide a fire control panel, so that the entire building can be protected with wire-coupled 230V smoke detectors. Contact your local fire department for a specific audit.

Are the smoke detectors in accordance with NBN EN 14604?

Yes, all the detectors we sell comply with the Belgian European standard NBN EN 14604. All detectors are also CE-approved according to European requirements.

How to test and take care of a smoke detector?

A well-maintained smoke detector can be the difference between life and death. Use the following guidelines always be as safe as possible: Test the smoke detector at least once a month. Most smoke detectors have a test button for this purpose. It's a good idea to do this on a fixed date, for example the first Monday of each month. Remove dust from the smoke detector once a month . This can be done with a dust cloth or with your vacuum cleaner. This ensures that the detection chamber is always easily accessible and that smoke is detected more quickly. It also reduces the risk of false alarms due to dust piling up in the detection chamber. Never remove the battery from the smoke detector unless it needs to be replaced. It's a good idea to replace the batteries on a fixed date, especially if the battery needs to replaced annually, like a 9V battery, for example at the beginning of winter. Some smoke detectors have built-in, non-replaceable batteries, but those usually last for 10 years. Never paint your smoke detector or put tape over it . You could damage the smoke detector. Completely replace a detector after 10 years . Every smoke detector needs to be replaced after 10 years, because that's the only way to guarantee the device will remain reliable.

What to take into consideration when purchasing a smoke detector?

There are approximately 10 000 fires a year. Not only does the heat of the fire cause casualties, but the smoke in particular is deadly ! Especially if the fire breaks out at night. Therefore, it's crucial you invest in a good smoke detector , hang it in the right place and test it regularly . That way you can go to bed with an easy mind. A few guidelines: Buy an optical smoke detector . An ionization smoke alarm contains a radioactive source that continuously emits alpha particles. Under current legislation, it is no longer permitted to install ionisation smoke detectors in your home. Purchase a smoke alarm with the required CE label and EN14604 certificate (European Standard). Certain smoke alarms have a (non-replaceable) battery with a life span of 5 or 10 years . They cost more, but you don't have to replace the batteries for a few years. Be sure to buy a smoke alarm that has a test button. This way you can test monthly whether your smoke detector is functioning properly. All smoke detectors need to be replaced after 10 years . This ensures that you always have sensors that work optimally.

What is the difference between smoke detectors, heat detectors, CO detectors & gas detectors?

There are different types of fire detectors: smoke detectors, heat detectors and CO detectors. Each one has its own distinct function. We explain the difference here. Smoke detectors Smoke detectors only detect smoke itself: by means of an optical measuring system, the detector continuously registers whether and how many smoke particles are in the air. If there are too many, the detector will sound an alarm. Since smoke always rises, it is important to hang a smoke alarms as high as possible, preferably on the ceiling. Only if you have a pyramidal roof, you should install the detector 30cm lower than the ridge of the roof because stagnant air can prevent smoke from rising. Heat detectors Heat detectors do not detect smoke, but continuously measure the temperature of the room. They sound an alarm if the temperature exceeds a certain limit. Heat detectors are very useful in places where smoke detectors would give too many false alarms, especially in places where a lot of (water) vapor or other gases may be present, such as in the kitchen, bathroom and garage. CO detectors CO detectors continuously measure the amount of carbon monoxide, or CO, in the room. Carbon monoxide is a very dangerous gas. It spreads evenly through the air if it doesn't burn up properly and there's not enough oxygen to form CO2. It's odourless and invisible. CO detectors are therefore essential in homes that are heated by a combustion boiler. Gas detectors Gas detectors do not detect carbon monoxide, but they do detect other gases. They measure the presence of natural gas, butane, propane and LPG. Depending on the type of gas you want to detected, you can place the detector low to the ground (butane and propane) or close to the ceiling (natural gas and LPG).

How long does a smoke detector last (smoke detector lifespan)?

The maximum lifespan of a smoke detector is 10 years. After 10 years, you will have to replace each fire detector completely. This is the only way to guarantee the quality of the sensor. That's why all smoke alarms with a 10-year lithium battery have a built-in, non-replaceable battery. After all, you have to replace the entire detector after 10 years.

How long will the battery of my fire detector last?

The battery life of a fire detector varies greatly from one device to another. It also depends on the conditions in which the detector is used (ambient temperature, frequency of testing, frequency of alarms, etc.). Roughly speaking, you can expect the following battery life: 9 volt battery detectors: the battery needs to be replaced approximately once a year. AA battery detector : the battery need to be replaced approximately every two to three years. Lithium battery detectors : the batteries will last approximately for 5 to 10 years, as indicated on the product page and packaging. Wireless fire detectors with 9V and AA batteries: replace the 9V battery (for the alarm) approximately every year, replace the AA batteries (for the coupling) approximately every 2 to 3 years. Wireless fire detectors with lithium battery: the battery will l ast 10 years, as indicated on the product page and packaging. The above are only guidelines. Regardless of the life span specified by the manufacturer, you MUST replace the battery (or the alarm itself if the battery is built-in) immediately when the device begins to "beep" (the "low battery warning signal").

Why is the expiration date on my smoke alarm shorter than my warranty period?

Smoke detectors with a 10-year lithium battery must have an expiry date on the detector. This is laid down in the European Standards (EN Standards). Every brands has to comply to this rule and thus you will always find an expiration date on that kind of detector. The expiration date is always the production year plus 10 years. But a smoke detector almost never reaches the customer in a short time after production, so the expiration date will never actually be the full 10 years later. This expiry date is therefore a "soft date" that you can ignore. The warranty is only valid from the date of invoice and the battery can be used for 10 years after you active it.

Where to install smoke detectors?

Proper placement of smoke detectors is essential. A well-installed smoke detector can make the difference between life and death. Below, you will find a detailed explanation that will help you make your surroundings fireproof. At the bottom of the page, you will find an illustration to make things even more clear. 1. As a minimum guideline, smoke detectors should be installed between sleeping quarters and possible sources of fire, such as living rooms and kitchens. In ground-floor houses with one sleeping area , a smoke detector should be placed in the hallway as close as possible to the living room. To ensure that the sound of the alarm is clearly audible in the bedrooms, the smoke detector should be placed at the most 3 meters away from a bedroom door. It's possible that you need to install more than one smoke detector, especially if the corridor is longer than 15 metres. In a building with one floor with two sleeping areas , at least two smoke detectors are recommended: one on the outside of each sleeping area. In houses with multiple (intermediate) floors, at least one smoke detector should be installed on the ground floor, between the stairwell and the rooms where there's a fire risk, and one in the passageway of each floor that's part of the escape route (usually the corridor and the landing). CAUTION: Heat detectors can't be used to replace smoke detectors on escape routes. Heat detectors should only be used in the instances listed below and in addition to smoke detectors. 2. Additional detectors should be installed in bedrooms to signal fire outbreaks caused by poor wiring, lamps, electrical appliances and cigarettes. 3. For optimal protection, smoke detectors should be installed in every room of your home, except where other gases, water vapour or a lot of dust are present (such as kitchens, bathrooms, garages, cellars, etc.). 4. In passageways, don't place smoke detectors more than 7.5 meters away from the furthest wall, no more than 7.5 meters from a door that leads to a room where a fire could start, and no more than 7.5 meters from the next smoke detector. In rooms where there's a heat detector, the smoke detector should be placed no more than 5.3 meters from the nearest heat detector. 5. Heat detectors in a room should be placed no more than 5.3 metres away from the furthest wall and no more than 5.3 metres from a door that leads to a room where a fire could start, and no more than 5.3 metres from the next heat detector. 6. Since it's impossible to predict how and where a fire will occur, the best place for a detector is usually in the middle of a room or corridor. If it is necessary to mount the smoke detector to a wall, make sure that the device's sensor is 15 to 30 cm below the ceiling and that the bottom of the device hangs above door height and above other openings. CAUTION: Do not mount heat detectors to the wall! 7. In a room with a slanting or tapered ceilings or in a gabled house, the smoke detectors should be mounted 30 cm lower than the highest point of the ceiling. "Stagnant air" in the ceiling ridge may prevent smoke from reaching the sensor in time. Closed doors and other obstacles may also prevent smoke or heat from reaching the sensor. It's also possible that an inhabitant on one side of a closed door won't be able to hear the alarm on the other side of the door. Install enough detectors to prevent this.

Do I have to drill into the ceiling to install a detector?

All detectors are delivered with a wall mounting system that you have to drill into the wall or ceiling, but we have the ideal alternative! Don't want to drill? Then use a magnetic mounting kit . It consists of two magnetic plates: one is pasted on the detector, the other on the ceiling. This way, your detector remains magnetically suspended and you don't have to drill. The ceiling plate can be removed if you want to move the detector.

Where not to install smoke detectors?

In bathrooms, kitchens, showers, garages and so on. These are places where smoke detectors may go off unnecessarily due to condensation, normal smoke or gases. Mount a smoke detector at least 5 meters away from such places. In areas that are normally warmer or colder than the rest of the room. Temperature differences can prevent smoke from reaching the detector. Next to or directly above stoves. In very high or difficult-to-reach places. Otherwise, testing or cleaning the detector will be very difficult. In very dusty and dirty areas. Dust piling up will prevent the smoke from reaching the smoke chamber of the detector and will cause false alarms over time. Within 1 meter of dimmers and wiring. Some dimmers may cause the detector to malfunction. Within 1.5 meters of fluorescent lamps. Electrical pulses may negatively affect the detector. Outside, in rooms with a lot of insects. Small insects in the detector's smoke chamber may cause it to malfunction or give off false alarms. In the vicinity/next to decorative objects, doors, electricity boxes, lamps, wall fans etc, that obstruct smoke reaching the smoke detector. In places where temperatures can rise above 40 degrees and below 0 degrees. For example, in the attic or just above a fireplace.

How do you avoid "dead air" places?

"Dead air" may prevent smoke from reaching the smoke detector. To avoid this, follow the instructions below to install your smoke detector. On the ceiling Install the smoke detector as close to the center of the ceiling as possible. If this isn't possible, install the smoke detector at least 300 mm away from a wall or corner. On the wall (if permitted by building regulations) The top of the smoke detector should be installed 102 to 300 mm lower than the ceiling boundary, below the typical "dead air" area. On a pointed or sloping ceiling Install the first smoke detector less than 0.9 meters from the highest point of the ceiling, measuring horizontally. Depending on the length, angle, etc. of the slope of the ceiling, several smoke detectors may be required.

Why should I install smoke and heat detectors?

There is a significant difference between a smoke detector and a heat detector. Because they have different functions, the combination of both detectors is highly recommended. Heat detectors sound an alarm when the temperature in the room is approximately 58 degrees. This is very useful in the case of a smouldering fire, that generates a lot of heat. Smoke detectors will not give off an alarm signal yet, but a heat detector will. Smoke detectors are, on the other hand, ideal for faster developing fires, which do produce a lot of smoke. This is why it's interesting to install both a smoke detector and a heat detector in high-risk areas. Some smoke detectors already have a built-in heat sensor in order to be able to detect both kinds of fires. Always avoid installing smoke detectors in places where there may be a lot of (water) vapour, dust or gases. In this case, only use a heat detector to prevent false alarms from the smoke detector. In short: always use smoke and heat detectors together for optimal protection.

Where to install a heat detector?

A heat detector is suitable as a supplement to smoke detectors in kitchens, garages, central heating rooms and other places where vapour, smoke and/or dust are usually present. In other words, in all places where smoke detectors can't be installed without the risk of unwanted/false alarms. Heat detectors can be installed in areas next to escape routers where smoke and/or steam is present, always in addition to a smoke detector.

Heat and smoke detectors

Smoke detectors and legislation

Are smoke detectors mandatory in my (rented) home?
Which and how many detectors do I need?
Are smoke detectors the responsibility of the tenant or landlord?
Are smoke alarms mandatory for B&Bs or hotels?
Are the smoke detectors in accordance with NBN EN 14604?

Technical questions

How to test and take care of a smoke detector?
What to take into consideration when purchasing a smoke detector?
What is the difference between smoke detectors, heat detectors, CO detectors & gas detectors?
How long does a smoke detector last (smoke detector lifespan)?
How long will the battery of my fire detector last?
Why is the expiration date on my smoke alarm shorter than my warranty period?

See all 13 articles

Placement

Where to install smoke detectors?
Do I have to drill into the ceiling to install a detector?
Where not to install smoke detectors?
How do you avoid "dead air" places?
Why should I install smoke and heat detectors?
Where to install a heat detector?

See all 9 articles