Smoke alarms and other fire safety equipment
Fire safety equipment in buildings includes
- smoke alarms,
- fire detectors,
- automatic fire extinguishing systems,
- smoke extraction equipment, and
- various items of first-aid fire extinguishing equipment.
Fire safety equipment is required to be, for example, suitable for its intended purpose and reliable in operation.
Most of the requirements for fire safety products come from European standards. There are national regulations on the installation, maintenance and inspections of fire detectors and automatic fire extinguishing systems. In addition, inspection and maintenance work on portable fire extinguishers has been provided for.
Legislation on fire safety equipment has been revised
The new Act on Certain Fire Safety Equipment entered into force on 1 January 2025. The Act replaced the Act on Rescue Services Equipment (10/2007). The Act on Certain Fire Safety Equipment covers three areas:
- provisions on fire alarm systems and automatic fire extinguishing systems are laid down in chapter 2 of the Act
- provisions on the inspection and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers are laid down in chapter 3
- provisions on the requirements for products falling within the scope of application of the Act are laid down in chapter 4.
The rationale for the Act can be found in the government proposal for an act on certain fire safety equipment (HE 106/2023 vp). In particular, the provision-specific rationale for the government proposal is intended to support the application of the Act.
Four new decrees have been issued under the Act on Certain Fire Safety Equipment:
- Decree of the Ministry of the Interior on Fire Alarm Systems and Automatic Fire Extinguishing Systems (976/2024)
- Decree of the Ministry of the Interior on Portable Fire Extinguishers (975/2024)
- Decree of the Ministry of the Interior on the Indication and Lighting of Escape Routes in Buildings (977/2024)
- Decree of the Ministry of the Interior on smoke alarms.
The first three decrees entered into force on 1 January 2025. Decree on smoke alarms will enter into force on 1 January 2026.
Of the old decrees, only the Government Decree on Equipment and Devices for Civil Defence Shelters (409/2011) is still in force.