With the upcoming legislative amendment, it will be mandatory to equip all homes with smoke detectors in the escape routes to reduce the number of casualties in house fires. What does this new legislation and regulation entail in practice? What requirements must smoke detectors meet? And in which rooms will they need to be placed?
Current requirements of the Building Decree 2012
There is currently a requirement for smoke detectors to be present in newly built homes/buildings with a residential function. These smoke detectors must be installed in accordance with NEN 2555. This requirement also applies when a change of use to a residential function takes place in an existing building. In short, smoke detectors must be present in traffic routes from a living space to the exit of the dwelling.
Requirements for a NEN 2555 smoke detector
- The smoke detector must have a CE mark.
- The smoke detector must be connected to the mains power (230V).
- The smoke alarm must be equipped with a secondary power supply (battery).
- The smoke detector must be connectable if, for example due to the size of the dwelling, the required sound levels (65dB in living areas, 75dB in bedrooms) are not met.
Upcoming legislative change
From now on, it will be mandatory to equip existing homes with smoke alarms as well. This change in the law will take effect from 1 July 2022. As of that date, smoke detectors must therefore already be installed. In short, each storey of a residential function with an accommodation area or an area through which an escape route leads must have a smoke detector complying with EN 14604 between the exit of the accommodation area and the exit of the dwelling.
Requirements for an EN 14604 smoke alarm
- This smoke alarm must also be fitted with a CE mark.
- The smoke alarm does not need to be connected to the mains power (230V).
- The smoke detector may be powered by a battery (9V), or by a battery with a longer service life.
- The smoke detectors do not need to be interconnected.
- There are no requirements on the noise level to be produced.
Key areas of concern
Smoke detector choice
There are many different smoke detectors available on the market, but not every detector meets the requirements. It is important that the smoke detector has a CE mark. Although a 9V battery is sufficient, you can also opt for a maintenance-free version with a rechargeable battery that lasts 10 years. A connection to the mains power (230V) is not compulsory!
Smoke detector placement
When a dwelling has several floors, a smoke detector should be installed on each floor with an occupied area. In addition, each room through which the traffic route/escape route passes should be fitted with a smoke detector.
Note! If the attic is in open communication with the stairwell, a detector should also be installed in the attic. When mounting the smoke detector, always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Situation 1 Situation 2
Situation 1: In this situation, each room relies on the same escape route, namely the hallway. In this case, it is sufficient to place a smoke detector solely in the hallway.
Situation 2: In this situation, the escape route from one of the bedrooms passes through the living room. If so, the living room should also be fitted with a smoke detector. The other rooms all rely on the hallway. A smoke detector should then also be fitted here.
Would you like more information about installing the smoke detector?
The vb&t Fire Safety team is happy to assist you further.