Smoke detectors in common parts: obligation often ignored

The presence of smoke detectors in buildings is legally mandatory, but the rules are still often not followed. Checks in 2023 show that almost one in five apartment buildings was not in order with smoke detectors in the common parts. Individual homes also went wrong: almost twelve percent did not meet the obligation. This is worrying, because smoke detectors save lives and their usefulness has been proven many times.

The regulations state that every home must be equipped with smoke detectors or a recognized fire detection system. For common parts such as stairwells and entrance halls, there is no general obligation in itself. However, there are clear exceptions. In cellars or attics with a technical installation, a smoke detector must always be present. Individual cellars or attics that are directly accessible from an apartment are also considered part of the home and must therefore be equipped with a smoke detector. When such spaces are only accessible via the common parts and there is no technical installation present, the obligation does not apply.

Since 2021, the absence of smoke detectors has been considered a serious defect. It is noted as a category II problem in technical reports, which may be sufficient to declare an apartment unsuitable. This can therefore have serious consequences for both owners and residents. Because the assessment is not only done at the level of the home but also for the building as a whole, a defect in the common parts can lead to multiple apartments being declared unsuitable.

The Flemish government has conducted several campaigns about smoke detectors and fire safety in recent years, but recent figures show that there is still much work to be done. For VMEs, it is therefore important to know the rules well and correctly place smoke detectors in all spaces where this is mandatory. This not only complies with the law, but above all guarantees the safety of residents.

Source: [SV Katrien Partyka dd. 11/12/2024](https://www.vlaamsparlement.be/nl/parlementaire-documenten/schriftelijke-vragen/1846811) News: CIB Syndic 27-02-2025