In Germany, the installation of smoke alarms in new buildings is mandatory. This is because they alert the occupants of a house or apartment as soon as a fire starts. Fire alarms must also be retrofitted in older buildings. The building regulations in the respective federal states provide information on whether owners or tenants are responsible for installing smoke alarms. Likewise, guidelines and obligations for the installation of smoke alarms are laid down in the state building code. Even if these differ slightly in the respective federal states, all regulations refer to DIN 14676.
Thus, smoke fire detectors should be installed in hallways that serve as escape routes, as well as in bedrooms and children's rooms. According to the Association of Private Builders (VPB), experts even advise equipping all rooms, except the kitchen, with warning detectors. The Q quality mark and the EN 14604 specification mean that smoke fire detectors are suitable for long-term use. But to protect against fire, precautionary measures should already be taken in the planning phase of a house.
For example, every new-build property should have a second escape route, and access routes for emergency vehicles are now also a requirement. If you own an old property, the VPB advises you to regularly test the existing escape routes. With the checklist "Behavior in case of fire", the VPB provides helpful tips on how to protect yourself from a fire.
Source: VPB
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