Smoke detectors have been compulsory in all homes across Brussels since January 2025, but three months on, there are still cases of non-compliant houses. Installing these devices is not only a legal requirement but a necessity fire safety.
In the event of a fire, people have three minutes on average to evacuate their residences, according to the Brussels Fire Brigade. Devices like smoke detectors can make a significant difference in these cases, as demonstrated by the fire which broke out in an apartment in central Brussels last week.
Installing the device is straightforward though there are some steps that should be followed to ensure the detectors aren't just safely installed but also legally compliant.
Landlord or tenant?
Landlords are responsible for ensuring that their properties have correctly installed and compliant smoke alarms. They must cover the costs of the device and the installation, as well as replace the alarms when they are defective, before they expire, or ten years after the manufacturing date of the device at the latest.
Tenants, in turn, are responsible for testing the alarms regularly and notifying the landlord (in writing) if there are any issues with the device. They should also dust the alarm regularly, as excess dust can trigger the smoke detector. This can be done using a cloth or feather duster.
For tenants who require specially adapted alarms due to hearing disabilities, keep in mind that landlords are not required to cover the costs of the adapted devices. However, allowances are available to help cover these purchases.
Image from a campaign to stress the importance of smoke detectors in Brussels. Credit: Belga/Timon Ramboer
In the event of an infraction of compliance, landlords can be penalised, according to the Brussels' housing administration. The Regional Housing Inspectorate monitors the compliance in rented accommodation. For minor issues, fines of €50 can be issued, while a serious non-compliance case can be punished with a €200 fine.
What type of smoke detectors?
The smoke detectors required by the Region must have a built-in battery of up to ten years and comply with the "EN 14604" standard. They must also be an "optical" detector, as optical detectors are better at recognising slow smouldering fires. Information about this can typically be found on the packaging of the smoke alarm.
For those who are deaf or have other hearing disabilities, options of specially adapted detectors with a vibrating or flashing light alarm system are available.
Finally, smoke alarms do not have to be interconnected if fewer than four alarms are required. For homes that need four or more smoke alarms, these must be interconnected. If they already have alarms, landlords have until 1 January 2028 to interconnect them.
How to install smoke detectors?
Smoke detectors should be installed as close to the centre of a ceiling as possible. If this cannot be done, they should be installed at least 30 cm away from the corners and edges of the ceilings.
For homes with sloping ceilings, the Brussels-Capital Region recommends installing the devices on a wall, at least 15 to 30 cm from a ceiling and 30 cm from a corner of the room.
Credit: Belga
In general, there should be one smoke alarm in every hallway or room between the front door and the furthest room of a house. Additionally, while a studio just needs at least one smoke alarm, multi-story homes should have at least one smoke detector on each floor.
Smoke detectors should not be installed in kitchens, bathrooms, or garages, as this is likely to cause false smoke alarms. Moreover, they should not be installed close to fans, vents, or a heating source.
The Brussels Fire Brigade has advisors who can help residents with queries about the installation of smoke alarms during a home visit. These tend to last around 30 minutes. Residents interested in this service can send an email to sensibilisation@firebru.brussels or contact the number 022088111 between 9:00 and 12:00 on weekdays.
