Written by Daniël
Edited on
20 July 2025
·
13:24
Why are smoke detectors mandatory?
Smoke detectors have been mandatory in all Dutch homes since July 2022. A smoke detector is important, so you know that there's a fire in time. That's exactly why there's a law about it. Smoke detectors create a safer situation for you and your neighbors. In this article, we'll discuss what the law states exactly and what you should keep in mind when buying a smoke detector.
Why are smoke detectors mandatory?
As of 1 July 2022, smoke detectors are officially mandatory in the Netherlands. It was already required for new-build homes. According to the building code, you need to have at least 1 smoke detector on each floor of an independent house. In apartments or student houses, it's mandatory to have a smoke detector in every room. The purpose of the new regulations is for you and your neighbors to be alerted in time in case of a fire.
Which requirements should a smoke detector meet?
According to Dutch law, a smoke detector must meet various requirements. For example, the European EN 14604 certificate is mandatory. Smoke detectors that work on the power grid also require a NEN 2555 certificate. These certificates guarantee that the smoke detector gives a good audio signal, is easy to install, detects smoke in time, and more. In addition, a smoke detector must have a CE label and can't be an ionic type. The smoke detectors at Coolblue meet the EN 14604 standard and the other requirements. Read how many smoke detectors you need below.
Where should you mount the smoke detector?
According to smoke detector regulations, you must have smoke detectors on every floor of your house. In addition, the law states that you must have a smoke detector in every room that's part of an escape route to the outside. It's best to mount your smoke detector to your ceiling, preferably 0.5m from the wall. This way, the detector detects smoke sooner. If you don't want to drill any holes, you can use an adhesive strip.
How do you make your house more fireproof?
Are you looking for a new smoke detector to ensure more safety? Choose a linkable smoke detector. This way, every smoke detector in the house sounds an alarm when 1 detector detects smoke. So with a set of smoke detectors, you're notified of smoke development everywhere in the house. That's why linkable smoke detectors are safer than a standard model.
What else can smoke detectors do?
The beeps of a smoke detectors are very annoying, sharp, and irregular. That's why you should choose a smoke detector with a pause button, or choose a smart smoke detector. The smart version gives you a notification on your smartphone instead of the annoying beeps. Thanks to this, these smoke detectors notify you of a fire via your phone. This way, you're always aware of smoke development in the house.
Article by Daniël
Smoke Detector Expert.
