Home fires claim dozens of lives every year. Did you know that most fire victims are killed by smoke? Smoke spreads at lightning speed and is also suffocating. If a fire breaks out at night, the risk of not waking up in time is high. You don't smell when you sleep so you won't wake up to the smell of fire either.
Smoke detector requirement
The sooner you are alerted to a fire, the more time you have to leave your home. Smoke detectors save lives. That is why there is a smoke detector obligation in Belgium.
The obligations differ by region where your home is located. We list the obligations by region.
Flemish region
In Flanders, it's easy. From Jan. 1, 2020, it is mandatory to install enough smoke detectors in every home, both residential and rental.
There must be at least one smoke detector
- On each floor: install at least 1 smoke detector per floor, preferably in the (staircase) hallway or on the escape route.
- In the basement or attic when there is a technical installation there (e.g. fuse boxes, home batteries, charging points, water heaters, etc.)
- In the basement or attic to which occupants have direct access and can be entered normally and immediately.
Which smoke detector to buy?
The smoke detector must be CE marked and comply with standard NBN EN14604. Both a smoke detector with replaceable battery and non-replaceable battery qualify. However, we always recommend buying a smoke detector with a 10-year built-in battery.
Brussels Capital Region
Smoke detectors are already mandatory in all rental housing in the Brussels Capital Region. From January 1, 2025, smoke detectors will be mandatory in all housing. The number of smoke detectors to be installed depends on the layout of the home.
There must be at least one smoke detector
- in each hallway, landing or room on the way from the bedroom to the front door (the escape route)
- In every room along the escape route
- multi-story dwelling: in each room that provides access to the next floor such as a hallway or landing
Which smoke detector to buy?
Smoke detectors shall:
- have a built-in battery with a service life of 10 years
- comply with standard EN 14604
- be of the optical type (ionic smoke detectors are prohibited).
Mains powered smoke detectors must have an emergency battery so that they continue to work in the event of a power failure.
Attention: from 4 or more appliances, it is mandatory to install linked smoke detectors or a centralized detection system. Owners who already have 4 or more non-coupled smoke detectors now have until Jan. 1, 2028, to comply with this legal requirement.
Walloon region
Smoke detectors are also mandatory in the Walloon region in all homes, both rental and owner-occupied.
There must be at least one smoke detector:
- per floor: install at least 1 smoke detector per floor, preferably in the (staircase) hallway or on the escape route.
Is the floor larger than 80m²? Then at least 2 smoke detectors must be installed. Place the first smoke detector in the night hall or the area leading to the rooms. The second is placed in the entrance hall or living room.
Which smoke detector to buy?
The smoke detector must be CE marked and comply with standard NBN EN14604. The smoke detector must have a built-in battery that lasts at least 5 years.