Frequently asked questions about smoke detectors
Smoke detectors are mandatory in all homes. Smoke detectors can be either conventional battery-powered units or mains-powered units. Smoke detectors may also have various additional features.
The responsibility for smoke detectors will change from 1 January 2026, when the responsibility for the purchase and maintenance of smoke detectors will transfer from the possessor of the home, that is, the occupant, to the owner of the building. The amendment to the Rescue Act is aimed at better fulfilment of the obligations concerning smoke detectors and clarification of the current regulation.
In accommodation and care facilities, the operator will remain responsible for the purchase and maintenance of smoke detectors. Accommodation and care facilities often use fire detectors instead of smoke detectors.
The obligation to purchase and maintain smoke detectors for homes will transfer from the possessor of the home, that is, the occupant, to the owner of the building. The building owner must ensure that all flats have a sufficient number of functioning smoke detectors. The occupant is obliged to immediately notify the building owner, for example the housing association, of any smoke detector issues, such as an expired smoke detector battery or the failure of a smoke detector.
The responsibility for smoke detectors will change on 1 January 2026. It is advisable to take advantage of the two-year transitional period by planning and implementing practical measures that require changes, such as mapping existing smoke detectors and possibly installing new ones. The building owner’s right to enter flats for the purpose of fulfilling the obligation to acquire and maintain smoke detectors provided for in the Rescue Act applies to all forms of housing and corresponds, for example, to the right already provided for in the Limited Liability Housing Companies Act.
‘Building owner’ may refer to, for example, a housing company, a right-of-occupancy association or a rental property company. An individual shareholder in a housing company is not the building owner.
The building owner ensures that each flat in the building has a sufficient number of functioning smoke detectors to detect a fire starting as early as possible and alert those inside.
In order for the smoke detector to react to smoke at an early stage and for the alarm siren of the smoke detector to be audible everywhere, there must be a sufficient number of correctly placed and functioning smoke detectors in the home. Because smoke rises, it is advisable to install smoke detectors on the ceiling of the room. There must be at least one smoke detector for every 60 square meters or part thereof on each floor of a home. In addition to the surface area, it is good to take into account the functions related to housing in the placement of smoke detectors, so that the smoke detector will sound as early as possible, while still avoiding false alarms, for example from the steam generated by cooking or the shower.
‘Smoke detector’ refers to a device that reacts to smoke and warns of smoke with an alarm sound. The building owner’s obligation to purchase smoke detectors covers a basic smoke detector, either a battery-powered unit or a mains-powered unit in accordance with building regulations. The Rescue Act does not require smoke detectors to be mains powered, networked within the home or remote test capable, or installed in, for example, the common areas of a block of flats.
When choosing smoke detectors and smoke detector batteries, the building owner should take into account the technical service life of the products, as the products selected affect the maintenance of the smoke detectors, such as the frequency of battery replacement and, consequently, the need to visit flats.
If, due to their functional capacity, occupants need the smoke detector to signal its alarm with, for example, light or vibration instead of sound, they must acquire a device that meets their needs themselves. Strobe-light smoke detectors for hard-of-hearing persons are usually assistive devices provided by society, so person with disabilities can acquire them at no cost. Applications for these can be submitted to the disability services units of social welfare. The receiver connected to the smoke detector and its means of alarm are selected individually depending on the customer and the hearing impairment.
The building owner is responsible for the installation and maintenance of smoke detectors. The occupant is obliged to immediately notify the building owner, for example the housing association, of any smoke detector issues, such as an expired smoke detector battery or the failure of a smoke detector.
Keeping the smoke detector in working order basically means replacing the battery and replacing the smoke detector at the end of its service life or in case of failure. Smoke detectors must always be kept in working order so, if the battery expires or the smoke detector fails, corrective action must be taken without delay. Mains-powered smoke detectors also have battery back-up to ensure operability. In practice, it is expedient to replace batteries on a regular basis and to replace smoke detectors according to a plan; anticipation can prevent, for example, night-time maintenance alarms caused by battery expiration. The service life of a smoke detector is usually no more than 10 years.
Although occupants are not required by law to regularly test the functioning of smoke detectors, it is a good idea for occupants to perform regular tests, for example once a month by pressing the smoke detector test button. Testing is one way to detect the failure of smoke detectors and for occupants to ensure that smoke detectors in their home are functional.
It is good for occupants to know how to notify the building owner in case of any faults. Since the arrangements can be different in different buildings, the building owner, such as a housing company or a rental property company, will give instructions to the occupants on the arrangements for each building.
The building owner must ensure that the measures taken are documented, for example in the building’s operating and maintenance instructions or a similar system.
The building owner is responsible for the installation and maintenance of smoke detectors. The occupant is obliged to immediately notify the building owner, for example the housing association, of any smoke detector issues, such as an expired smoke detector battery or the failure of a smoke detector.
Occupants should regularly test the smoke detectors, for example once a month, by pressing the test button. Testing is one way to detect the failure of smoke detectors and for occupants to ensure that smoke detectors in their home are functional. Occupants must not damage the building’s smoke detectors by their own actions, for example by painting them or by removing the smoke detector’s battery or the entire smoke detector.
It is good for occupants to know how to notify the building owner in case of any faults. Since the arrangements can be different in different buildings, the building owner, such as a housing company or a rental property company, will give instructions to the occupants on the arrangements for each building.
The amendment to the Rescue Act is aimed at better fulfilment of the obligations concerning smoke detectors and clarification of the current regulation on smoke detectors.
In terms of the fire safety of housing, it is essential that all homes have functioning smoke detectors. The lack of a functioning smoke detector also poses a risk to the fire safety of neighbouring homes, especially in blocks of flats and terraced houses, where a fire in one flat can also spread to the common areas of the building and other flats. In the future, the building owner will be responsible for smoke detectors in all forms of housing.
The building owner’s obligation to purchase smoke detectors covers a basic smoke detector, either a battery-powered unit or a mains-powered unit in accordance with building regulations. New homes connected to the electrical grid have been required to have mains-powered smoke detectors from the construction phase since 1 February 2009. If the building permit was initiated before 1 February 2009, the Rescue Act applies to the obligation to purchase smoke detectors. The Rescue Act does not require all smoke detectors in homes to be networked, mains powered or remote test capable.
Mains-powered smoke detectors are required for new builds and when expanding or otherwise increasing the floor area of the building, for example when converting attic space for residential use. With regard to the repair and alteration work of a building, battery-powered smoke detectors may be required to be replaced with mains-powered ones if the building or part thereof becomes more dangerous in terms of fire safety, for example with the conversion of office space into housing. If no changes are made to the way the home is used during the home alterations or repairs, for example in connection with plumbing renovations, it is not required to replace battery-powered smoke detectors with mains-powered ones. The electrical renovation of a home does not create an obligation to install mains-powered smoke detectors.