Since the introduction of the obligation, smoke alarms must be installed in your living space at least in bedrooms, children's rooms and in corridors that serve as escape routes. In Germany, smoke alarms are compulsory for all private living spaces (the exception is Saxony, where smoke alarms are only compulsory for new buildings). Smoke detectors should be a permanent fixture in your home, and not only because of the obligation. The devices protect you and your family from deadly dangerous situations and ensure more safety.
Majority of fires in private households - unpredictable fire hazard
- Around 600 people die each year in Germany as a result of fires, the majority of them in private households.
- In the event of a fire, people have on average only about 4 minutes to escape. Smoke poisoning can be fatal after only 2 minutes. Smoke from a fire can therefore be more dangerous than the fire itself.
- Smoke is faster and more silent than fire. Fire smoke contains, among other things, CO, CO2, hydrochloric acid and hydrocyanic acid vapours. These are produced by open fires and by the burning or smouldering of your belongings. Just two to three deep breaths of the toxic smoke are fatal.
- Fire smoke stuns people while they are asleep and thus leads to unconsciousness. After only a few minutes, the released gases reach life-threatening concentrations and lead to suffocation.
- 35% of fires happen at night. This may not sound like much at first, but 70% of fire deaths occur at night. Therefore, it is precisely then that protection by smoke alarms is called for. The loud alarm of a smoke detector warns in time even when you are asleep!
Installing the smoke detector especially in the bedroom
In which rooms should we install smoke detectors? A smoke detector should be installed in every bedroom, children's room and in hallways that serve as escape routes. Install smoke detectors as centrally as possible in the room, in a horizontal position on the ceiling.
One smoke detector is sufficient for a room of 60 square metres and should always be installed centrally on the ceiling. For larger rooms and special structural features, please note:
- Rooms in an L-shape that are larger than 60 square metres require two smoke detectors - one on each side
- Large rooms that are interrupted by partition walls, partial walls or large furniture require one smoke detector per partial area
- Open connections that extend over several floors require a smoke detector at least on the upper level
