The Brussels City Government plans to implement new smoke alarm regulations in January 2025. All residential and commercial buildings must be equipped with smoke alarms that meet the new requirements. Before this, this regulation was limited to rental properties, and about 40% of homes did not have mandatory fire safety measures installed. This new regulation aims to improve fire safety levels across the board and reduce the risk of fires caused by not installing or using non-compliant smoke alarms.
Core content of the new regulations
According to the 2025 Brussels Smoke Alarm Regulation, all residential and rental properties must be equipped with smoke alarms that meet the new standards. Specific requirements include:
Basic requirements for smoke alarms
Built-in battery: Smoke alarms must be equipped with a built-in battery with a battery life of at least 10 years. This requirement ensures the long-term reliability of the device without the need for frequent battery replacement.
Compliance with EN 14604 standard: All smoke alarms must comply with EN 14604 standard to ensure that they can react quickly in the event of a fire.
Prohibition of ionization alarms: The new regulations prohibit the use of ionization smoke alarms and recommend the use of optical smoke alarms to improve the accuracy and sensitivity of detecting smoke.
Battery and power requirements
Backup battery: If the smoke alarm is connected to the power grid (220V), it must be equipped with a backup battery. This design ensures that the smoke alarm can still work normally when the power is off to avoid missing fire information.
Installation requirements for smoke alarms
The location of smoke alarms depends on the layout and room structure of the property. To ensure that residents can get timely warnings when a fire occurs, the following are the installation requirements for different types of properties:
1. Studio
Installation requirements: At least one smoke alarm needs to be installed.
Installation location: Place the smoke alarm in the same room next to the bed.
Note: To avoid false alarms, smoke alarms should not be installed near water sources (such as showers) or cooking steam (such as kitchens).
Recommendation: In studio apartments, smoke alarms should be away from places where steam may be generated, such as showers or kitchens, to avoid false alarms.
2. Single-floor dwelling
Installation requirements: Install at least one smoke alarm in each room along the "internal circulation route".
"Internal circulation route" definition: This refers to all rooms or corridors that must be passed from the bedroom to the front door, ensuring that you can reach the exit smoothly in an emergency.
Installation location: Make sure that the smoke alarm can cover all emergency evacuation routes.
Recommendation: The smoke alarm in each room can be directly connected to the "internal circulation route" to ensure that you can hear the alarm and respond in time when a fire occurs.
Example: If your house has bedrooms, living room, kitchen and hallway, it is recommended to install smoke alarms in at least the bedrooms and hallway.
3. Multi-storey dwelling
Installation requirement: Install at least one smoke alarm on each floor.
Installation location: Smoke alarms should be installed on the staircase landing of each floor or the first room when entering the floor.
Circulation route: In addition, all rooms that belong to the "circulation route" should also be installed with smoke alarms. The circulation route is the path you traverse from the bedroom to the front door, and each room should be equipped with a smoke alarm to cover this passage.
Recommendation: If you live in a multi-storey house, make sure that each floor is equipped with smoke alarms, especially in the staircases and passages, so as to maximize the possibility of timely warning of all residents in the event of a fire.
Example: If your house has three floors, you need to install smoke alarms on the staircase landing or the room closest to the stairs on each floor.
Installation height and position
Ceiling installation: The smoke alarm should be installed in the center of the ceiling as far as possible. If this is not possible, it must be installed at least 30 cm from the corner of the ceiling.
Sloped ceiling: If the room has a sloping ceiling, the smoke alarm should be installed on the wall and the distance from the ceiling should be between 15 and 30 cm, and at least 30 cm from the corner
Smoke alarms should not be installed in the following places:
Kitchens, bathrooms and shower rooms: These places are prone to false alarms due to steam, fumes or heat sources.
Near fans and vents: These places may affect the normal operation of smoke alarms.
Special reminder
If the room has dual use and is part of the "internal circulation route" (such as a kitchen that also serves as a dining room), it is recommended to install the smoke alarm away from heat sources.
Special cases and compliance requirements
Requirement to interconnect four or more alarms
If a property has four or more smoke alarms installed, the new regulations require that these alarms must be interconnected to form a centralized detection system. This requirement aims to improve the efficiency of fire warning systems and ensure that fire hazards can be detected promptly throughout the property.
If there are currently four or more non-interconnected smoke alarms, landlords must replace them with interconnected alarms before January 1, 2028 to ensure compliance with the regulations.
Smoke alarms designed for the deaf or hard of hearing
The City of Brussels pays special attention to the safety of the hearing-impaired. Smoke alarms designed for the deaf or hard of hearing are already available on the market, which alert the user to a fire alarm by flashing lights or vibrating. Landlords cannot object to tenants or fire authorities installing such devices, but they do not have to bear the cost of purchasing them.
Landlord and Tenant Responsibilities
Landlord Responsibilities
Landlords are obliged to ensure that compliant smoke alarms are installed in the property and bear the cost of purchasing and installing them. At the same time, landlords must also replace the alarms before the alarm reaches the end of its service life (usually 10 years) or in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.
Tenant Responsibilities
As a tenant, you are responsible for regularly checking the working condition of the smoke alarms, including pressing the test button to check. At the same time, tenants should promptly report any malfunctions of the smoke alarms to the landlord to ensure that the equipment is always in good condition.
Consequences of non-compliance
If a landlord or tenant fails to install and maintain smoke alarms in accordance with regulations, they may face legal liabilities, including fines and forced replacement of equipment. For landlords in particular, failure to install compliant smoke alarms will not only result in fines, but may also affect insurance claims for the property.
How to choose the right smoke alarm
When choosing a smoke alarm, make sure it complies with the EN 14604 standard and uses optical technology. Our smoke alarm products, including WiFi, standalone and connected models, all meet the requirements of the Brussels 2025 smoke alarm regulation. We provide efficient alarms with long battery life and easy installation to help you ensure that your home and commercial property are protected from fire.
Click here to learn more (Europe EN 14604 standard smoke detector)
Conclusion
The new Brussels 2025 smoke alarm regulation will greatly improve the level of fire protection in residential and commercial buildings. Understanding and complying with these regulations will not only improve fire early warning capabilities, but also avoid legal risks and financial burdens. As a professional smoke alarm manufacturer, we are committed to providing products that meet the highest safety standards in Brussels and the global market to ensure your safety.
Post time: Jan-22-2025
