Do I have to have a smoke detector in my home?

"Yes, all federal states require homes to be fitted with smoke alarms. The respective owner is responsible for checking this."

In which rooms do they have to be fitted?

"The regulations state that bedrooms, children's rooms and corridors that serve as escape routes from all common rooms must each be fitted with a smoke detector. They can quickly trigger false alarms in the kitchen or bathroom, which is why they are not mandatory here."

Who is responsible for installation and maintenance?

"The state building regulations predominantly stipulate that the homeowner is responsible for the purchase and installation. In some federal states, the immediate occupant is responsible for maintenance, i.e. the tenant in an apartment building. In other countries, this obligation also falls to the owner. Maintenance is carried out once a year and should be documented in writing."

Who bears the costs for installation and maintenance?

"The purchase and installation can be apportioned by the landlord as so-called modernization costs amounting to 11 percent of the annual rent. The annual maintenance costs are generally apportionable if this is stipulated in the rental agreement. It is disputed whether the landlord can also pass on the rental costs of the appliances to the tenant. A supreme court decision is still pending in this regard."

What happens if the smoke detector fails?

"If a device no longer works, it is the landlord's responsibility to repair the device at his own expense or to purchase a new one. The tenant only bears the costs if they caused the defect and the landlord can prove this. If the failure of the appliances causes fire damage, the tenant may be held jointly liable if they have failed to meet their maintenance obligations. However, the specific causes of the fire must be clarified in any case."

The annual inspection and maintenance

Tenants who are responsible for this themselves and do not want to hire a janitor service should check the function of the smoke alarms in accordance with the manufacturer's operating instructions. This includes at least checking that the openings into which the smoke penetrates are all free of dirt and dust, that there is no damage and that the area 50 cm around the smoke alarm is free of obstacles. A test alarm is also part of the maintenance. Faulty smoke alarms must be repaired or replaced. Further information can be found at www.rauchmelder-lebensretter.de