The sooner you are alerted to a fire, the more time you have to leave your home. Home fires claim dozens of lives every year. Proper placement of smoke detectors is essential, because you want to be alerted as quickly as possible.
Smoke detector obligation
In brief:
- Since Jan. 1, 2020, it has been mandatory in Flanders to install smoke detectors in all types of homes (single-family homes, apartments, studios, student rooms). The minimum guideline is at least 1 smoke detector per building level (floor).
- From January 1, 2025, smoke detectors will be mandatory in the Brussels Capital Region in all owner-occupied and rented housing. The guidelines for the installation of smoke detectors are more extensive than those of the Flemish region.
- Smoke detectors are also mandatory in the Walloon region in all dwellings, both rental and owner-occupied. The minimum guideline is at least 1 smoke detector per storey (floor). If the floor is larger than 80m², at least 2 smoke detectors must be installed.
Minimum legal requirements
Flemish region
In Flanders, it's easy. As of 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.
Brussels Capital Region
Where best to place smoke detectors depends on the layout of your home. Place at least one smoke detector in each hallway, landing or room on the way from the farthest bedroom to the front door of the home.
A studio
In a studio, place at least one smoke detector. Hang the smoke detector in the room where your bed is located. Place the smoke detector away from water and cooking fumes such as a shower or stove.
A single-story dwelling
Place at least one smoke detector in each room along the escape route. An escape route is the shortest route you take in an emergency from the bedroom(s) to the front door.
A multi-story home
Hang at least one smoke detector on each floor. Also install at least one smoke detector on the first floor between the stairwell and areas where fire can break out and one in each room that provides access to the next floor such as a hallway or landing. Finally, also install a smoke detector in each room along the escape route.
Walloon region
Smoke detectors are also mandatory in all homes in the Walloon region, both rental and owner-occupied. The minimum guideline is at least one smoke detector per floor.
It is recommended that a smoke detector be installed in:
- the hall or landing giving access to the bedrooms
- the hall
- the room to which the upper part of a staircase leads
- the room adjoining the kitchen
- the bedroom
- any other living space
A single-story dwelling
In small apartments, it is recommended to place the smoke detector in the hall leading to the bedrooms. In large flats and houses without an upper floor, the second detector is placed in the entrance hall or living room.
A multi-story home
In multi-story houses and apartments, smoke detectors are installed on the landing of the second floor, in the hallway (near the living areas), and if required, on the landing leading to the attic rooms. If required, they are also installed in the attic room, on the right side of the stairs leading to it.
General advice
The minimum legal requirements lay a good foundation, but our general advice goes a little broader.
First and foremost, a smoke detector should ensure that you can still escape in time. Therefore, we recommend hanging one or more smoke detectors at least on your primary escape route (usually this is in the hallway). In the case of the Flemish and Walloon regions, you are in order with your basic security if you install a detector on every floor.
In an ideal situation, you also install a smoke detector in every room closed with a door, except the garage, kitchen and bathroom.
Or in short, the more rooms you equip with smoke detectors, the faster you will be alerted. So we recommend at least 1 smoke detector in all rooms, except in the garage, kitchen and bathroom. There you can work with heat detectors as an alternative.
Best place for smoke detectors
Preferably mount the smoke detector as centrally as possible on the ceiling. Is that not possible? Then place them at least 30 cm from the corner or side of the ceiling.
Where not to place smoke detectors?
Do not place smoke detectors in bathrooms, kitchens, showers and garages. In these places, the detector may false alarm due to dust, cooking vapor or moisture. Mount a smoke detector at least 5 meters away from such smoke sources. It is best to install a heat detector in these places.