Smoke detector: fire safety in the dwelling

The smoke detector is a device that detects fumes at the start of a fire and immediately emits a beep strong enough to wake a sleeping person.

The smoke detector must imperatively include the CE marking accompanied by the reference to standard NF EN 14604.

The smoke detector is powered by batteries or works from power supply the housing, provided in this case that it is equipped with an emergency power supply that can take over in the event of electrical malfunction.

The smoke detector can be purchased at a DIY store.

Every accommodation (apartment, house) must be equipped at least one smoke detector.

The owner must settle the smoke detector, while the occupant takes care of its maintenance and, if necessary, its replacement.

When the dwelling is rented, the owner must also check the proper operation of the smoke detector when the state of play.

However, this division of responsibilities changes according to the type of dwelling.

Indeed, in some cases, the owner assumes all the obligations: installation, maintenance, renewal.

This concerns:

• Furnished rentals
• Seasonal housing
• The home-dwellings where they are managed by the owner or by an organization which does not rental intermediation and rental management activities
• The social purpose hotel residences
• Housing allocated or rented on the basis of a job or function.

Where the dwelling-homes are managed by approved organizations carrying out rental intermediation and rental management activities, the installation, maintenance and renewal of the detector shall be carried out by those organizations.

Finally, for premises intended for inclusive housingHowever, the responsibility also lies with the owner. The latter may, however, delegate those obligations, by convention :

• Approved bodies carrying out activities of rental intermediation and rental management
• Either at the legal person responsible for the social and shared life project.

The smoke detector should preferably be settled in the circulation or clearance (landing, corridor) serving the rooms.

When the accommodation does not have a circulation or clearance (case of a studio), the smoke detector should be settled as far as possible from the kitchen and the bathroom.

The smoke detector must be securely attached to the ceiling.

In multi-story accommodation, it is recommended to settle 1 smoke detector per floor.

In large dwellings, it is also recommended to settle several smoke detectors.

Yes, the occupant must inform his insurer with whom he has subscribed his home insurance to indicate that the dwelling is equipped with one or more smoke detectors.

This information is done by submitting a certificate accompanied by a proof of purchase or installation (invoice, photo, certificate of conformity,...).

However, in 2 situations, it is not the occupant who gives this certificate to the insurer, but:

• The body carrying out the activities of rental intermediation and social rental management for the home-dwellings managed by them
• The owner of the premises intended for inclusive housing.

A sample letter can be used to write the mail:

Model declaration to be sent to the insurer to attest to the installation of a smoke detector