Replacing smoke detectors in the apartment and house: deadline must be observed

Created: 12/23/2022, 12:03 p.m

Known: Smoke detectors in the apartment are mandatory.

What is less known, however, is that they have to be replaced every ten years.

When are you ready?

Hamm - In an emergency, the small devices make a deafening noise - and that can save lives.

Smoke detectors must now be installed in several rooms in every apartment.

In North Rhine-Westphalia, for example, there has been an obligation since 2013 for smoke detectors to be installed in newly built apartments from the outset.

Since 2017, all older apartments must also be equipped with the devices.

But what many people don't even know is that there is also an obligation to replace smoke detectors regularly.

And in many cases the date is coming up soon.

Replacing the smoke detectors: Many residents have to observe a deadline

The fact that smoke detectors are not in operation forever makes perfect sense.

Like all other electrical devices, there are signs of wear and tear even with the practical lifesavers.

At a certain point, there is simply no longer a guarantee that the technology can be relied on.

In addition, batteries with a service life of 10 years are permanently installed in many smoke detectors.

It is not possible to change the batteries in these devices.

And to make it clear: The fact that the smoke detectors should be replaced every ten years is not a recommendation, but actually a legal obligation, as wa.de reports.

This is regulated in the DIN standard DIN 14676. A new detector must be installed no later than ten years and six months after the first commissioning.

But beware: this is the rule, but not always the case.

Depending on the technology installed, it may even be necessary to replace it after eight or five years.

Ideally, you should take a look for yourself.

It's very easy: just unscrew the device.

The date of manufacture should be written on the inside.

In the best case, you will also find information there as to how many years after the date of manufacture the device should be replaced.

Replacing smoke detectors: These obligations exist

With a view to when smoke detectors became mandatory for apartments, it is noticeable that in several federal states it was ten or almost ten years ago.

As already mentioned, bedrooms, children's rooms and hallways in newly built apartments in North Rhine-Westphalia have had to be equipped with smoke detectors since April 1, 2013.

This is also the case in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria.

The law came into force in Lower Saxony in 2012, and in Rhineland-Palatinate even older buildings have had to have detectors since 2012.

Assuming that in these cases the devices have been put into operation to introduce the obligation, many residents will soon have to change their devices.

Often nobody is liable for smart devices

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Incidentally, the owner of the apartment is responsible for replacing the smoke detectors.

In many cases, the owners regularly send experts to the tenants to service the devices anyway.

In this case, residents do not have to take care of anything themselves.

Nevertheless, a look at the detector certainly doesn't hurt to let the landlord know, just in case, that a new device is needed.

Smoke alarms, important as they are, can also be annoying in some situations.

For example, when you make raclette or fondue.

But there are other dangers lurking.

If you don't follow important hygiene tips, you may end up with a fever and diarrhea later on.

Firecrackers and rockets also provide plenty of smoke.

This year they cost more in specialist shops than ever before.