Are Smoke Detectors Mandatory in Germany? These Laws Apply
The smoke detector obligation applies throughout Germany. It is regulated by the DIN-Norm DIN 14676. This standard determines, among other things, where the smoke detectors must be installed and how maintenance should be carried out.
Although the obligation for fire alarms applies throughout Germany, the rules vary from state to state. The state building code of each state determines who is responsible for installation and maintenance and in which rooms smoke detectors are mandatory.
In any case, the following applies: The obligation for smoke detectors applies to all new buildings and to all refurbishments. It is the responsibility of the owner. According to the law, smoke detectors must also be installed in existing buildings - the only exception is the federal state of Saxony. However, there are periods of transition for some federal states before the installation of fire alarms becomes mandatory in existing buildings as well.
Here you can see, at a glance, which rules apply to your state:
Baden-Wuerttemberg
Mandatory for new buildings since: 2010
Mandatory for existing buildings from: 01.01.2015
Responsibility for assembly: Owner (lessor)
Responsibility for maintenance: Owner (tenant)*
*If the owner doesn't take the duty
Bavaria
Mandatory for new buildings since: 2007
Mandatory for existing buildings from: 01.01.2018
Responsibility for assembly: Owner (lessor)
Responsibility for maintenance: Owner (tenant)*
*If the owner doesn't take the duty
Berlin
Mandatory for new buildings since: 01.01.2017
Mandatory for existing buildings from: 31.12.2020
Responsibility for assembly: Owner (lessor)
Responsibility for maintenance: Owner (tenant)*
*If the owner doesn't take the duty
Brandenburg
Mandatory for new buildings since: 01.06.2016
Mandatory for existing buildings from: 31.12.2020
Responsibility for assembly: Owner (lessor)
Responsibility for maintenance: Owner (lessor)
Bremen
Mandatory for new buildings since: 2009
Mandatory for existing buildings from: 01.01.2016
Responsibility for assembly: Owner (lessor)
Responsibility for maintenance: Owner (tenant)*
*If the owner doesn't take the duty
Hamburg
Mandatory for new buildings since: 2005
Mandatory for existing buildings from: 01.01.2011
Responsibility for assembly: Owner (lessor)
Responsibility for maintenance: Owner (lessor)**
**Not expressly regulated otherwise in the building regulations
Hessen
Mandatory for new buildings since: 2005
Mandatory for existing buildings from: 01.01.2015
Responsibility for assembly: Owner (lessor)
Responsibility for maintenance: Owner (tenant)*
*If the owner doesn't take the duty
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
Mandatory for new buildings since: 2006
Mandatory for existing buildings from: 01.01.2010
Responsibility assembly: Owner (tenant)
Responsibility for maintenance: Owner (lessor)**
**Not expressly regulated otherwise in the building regulations
Lower Saxony
Mandatory for new buildings since: 2012
Mandatory for existing buildings from: 01.01.2016
Responsibility for assembly: Owner (lessor)
Responsibility for maintenance: Owner (tenant)*
*If the owner doesn't take the duty
North Rhine-Westphalia
Mandatory for new buildings since: 2013
Mandatory for existing buildings from: 01.01.2017
Responsibility for assembly: Owner (lessor)
Responsibility for maintenance: Owner (tenant)*
*If the owner doesn't take the duty
Rhineland-Palatinate
Mandatory for new buildings since: 2007
Mandatory for existing buildings from: 12.07.2012
Responsibility for assembly: Owner (lessor)
Responsibility for maintenance: Owner (lessor)**
**Not expressly regulated otherwise in the building regulations
Saarland
Mandatory for new buildings since: 2004
Obligation for existing buildings: No regulation
Responsibility for assembly: Owner (lessor)
Responsibility for maintenance: Owner (lessor)**
**Not expressly regulated otherwise in the building regulations
Saxony
Mandatory for new buildings since: 01.01.2016
obligation for existing buildings: Not mandatory
Responsibility for assembly: Owner (lessor)
Responsibility Maintenance: Owner (tenant)*
*If the owner doesn't take the duty
Saxony-Anhalt
Mandatory for new buildings since: 2009
Mandatory for existing buildings from: 01.01.2016
Responsibility for assembly: Owner (lessor)
Responsibility Maintenance: Owner (lessor)**
**Because not expressly regulated otherwise in the building regulations
Schleswig-Holstein
Mandatory for new buildings since: 2004
Mandatory for existing buildings from: 01.01.2011
Responsibility for assembly: Owner (lessor)
Responsibility for maintenance: Owner (tenant)*
*If the owner doesn't take the duty
Thuringia
Mandatory for new buildings since: 2008
Mandatory for existing buildings from: 01.01.2019
Responsibility for assembly: Owner (lessor)
Responsibility for maintenance: Owner (lessor)**
**Because not expressly regulated otherwise in the building regulations
In which rooms are smoke detectors mandatory?
Smoke detectors are primarily used to protect residents from fire hazards, even when they are asleep. For this reason, smoke detectors are mandatory in all federal states in bedrooms, children's rooms and - if these serve as escape routes - also in corridors.
Particularly strict rules apply in Berlin and Brandenburg: After a period of transition, fire alarms are mandatory in all living rooms except the kitchen (as false alarms can more easily occur during cooking).
Here you can quickly see where smoke detectors are mandatory:
Bedroom / Children's room
Corridors and escape routes
All recreational rooms such as the living room
(only Berlin and Brandenburg)
Furthermore, the obligation also applies to the following premises:
Holiday apartments
Recreational accommodation or lodging establishments
(with max. 11 guest beds)
Cottages or huts
Container rooms
Who is responsible for the installation and maintenance of smoke detectors?
Regardless of whether you are the owner, landlord or tenant: You must always comply with the smoke detector regulations, depending on the state laws.
In the following we will explain how the responsibility for smoke alarms is regulated.
What category do you belong to?
Owner
If you are an owner and live in a condominium or single-family home, you are responsible for the purchase, installation, and regular maintenance of the smoke detectors. Regardless of the state, you must equip at least all bedrooms, children's rooms and corridors that are escape routes with smoke detectors.
It makes sense to also equip the remaining rooms - on each floor - with smoke detectors. The Smoke Detector from Livy Protect will reliably warn you of any smoke development. At the same time, you benefit from the additional functions, such as the smart burglar protection and the air quality measurements of the Air Monitor. With Livy Protect you meet the legal requirements for smoke detectors.
Landlord
As a landlord, you are obliged to install smoke detectors in your tenants' apartments and to check that they are working properly, as well as to carry out maintenance.
It is true that in some federal states the building code shifts the obligation for maintenance to the tenant. However, tenancy law is regulated in the German Civil Code (BGB) and repeals this provision. This means that this obligation can only be transferred to your tenant if your tenant has agreed to it by contract.
Even in this case, you still have the so-called legal duty to maintain safety: You must check whether your tenants have installed the smoke alarms correctly and also take care of the maintenance. Therefore, it is safer if you do it yourself. Livy Protect can reliably protect your living space with very little maintenance.
After all, the purchase and installation of smoke detectors is considered to be a modernisation of housing. You can claim 11% of these costs in the form of a rent increase, only after you have informed your tenants about the measure.
Vorsicht: Als Vermieter trägst du die Kosten für Reparaturen, falls es dennoch zu einem Brand kommen sollte. Deshalb empfehlen wir dir einen smarten Rauchwarnmelder wie Livy Protect zu installieren, der im Notfall nicht nur ein Alarmsignal auslöst, sondern mit der Community-Funktion auch Nachbarn und dich selbst per Smartphone alarmieren kann. So kannst du noch schneller als üblich auf Brandentwicklung reagieren und den Schaden reduzieren.
Caution: As the landlord, you are responsible for the cost of repairs if a fire should occur. Therefore, we recommend that you install a smart smoke detector such as Livy Protect, which not only sets off an alarm signal in an emergency, but can also with the Community Function alert neighbours and yourself via smartphone with the Community Function. This way you can react even faster than usual to fire developments and reduce the damage.
Tenant
As a tenant, you are not allowed to put already mounted and installed smoke detectors out of operation, as your landlord has to comply with the legal obligation to provide equipment. Of course you are allowed to install additional smoke detectors such as Livy Protect for additional protection or replace defective smoke detectors by arrangement.
Follow the regulations for your state, which indicate where smoke detectors are mandatory. In any case, a fire alarm must be installed in every bedroom, children's room and corridors that serve as escape routes (possibly after a period of transition). If this is not the case, you should inform your landlord. You can install additional smoke detectors without the permission of your landlord.
With the all-in-one security solution Livy Protect you not only fulfil the obligation for fire alarms, but also benefit from smart burglary protection and better air quality thanks to the Air Monitor.
You are a property owner and have to fulfil the smoke detector regulation?
The Livy Protect Smoke Detector is available at special conditions for landlords. Make a non-binding enquiry now and receive a price offer.
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*If you sign a Natur24 or Easy 24 Energy Supply contract with Vattenfall Europe Sales GmbH, together with a sales contract for a Livy Protect alarm device, you will receive the Livy Protect alarm device for 0 € instead of the 180 € purchase price, if the energy supply contract is for at least 24 months. if the energy supply contract is for at least 24 months. You can find further conditions and information on our website vattenfall.de