ᐅ Mandatory Installation of Smoke Detectors

Hello dear forum members,

By now, at least where we live, it is mandatory to install smoke detectors. And after a house actually burned down in the neighborhood recently, this topic has become very relevant... meaning I don’t want to keep putting it off. You never know what might happen...

I received an offer for several interconnected detectors, meaning when one goes off, all the others sound as well. That obviously makes sense, because I’m not sure you would hear a smoke detector through closed doors of the kids’ bedrooms or from the attic if you are on the ground floor. And if something happens during the night, it’s definitely better if the alarm goes off right away in the bedroom.

Unfortunately, this is not cheap, and at the end of the budget there is still so much construction left to do...

For about a quarter of the price, you could first install smoke detectors without this interconnection. That would surely be better than nothing, but with reduced functionality. In the medium term, I would really prefer the interconnected solution – so it seems pointless to spend money now on the smaller option that would then be replaced in 1-2 years... better to bite the bullet and do it right from the start.

It would be great to have an upgradeable solution—in other words, get the detectors initially and add the interconnection later when the financial situation improves.

What are your thoughts on this? What would you go for? Does anyone know of such an upgradeable solution?

Whether interconnected or not, I’m willing to bet that you can hear the smoke detector!

If you’re unsure, get a spray to test your non-interconnected or standalone smoke detector. Then you can compare and decide.

Even though money shouldn’t be an issue in such cases (at least you shouldn’t buy cheap, low-quality products), the cost of multiple detectors adds up. I have 11 non-interconnected smoke detectors myself.

Why did your neighbor’s house burn down?

Many manufacturers offer models priced around 30 € that can be upgraded later with (significantly more expensive wireless modules) if needed.

We plan to install this type after moving in, and if it turns out that remote rooms cannot be heard everywhere, the appropriate modules can simply be added later – basically, I agree with 85 dB but with @Zaba12.

One example is the widely praised test winner from Düsseldorf (EI650) with the letter C at the end.

Altai schrieb:

That makes sense, of course, because I’m not sure whether you would be able to hear the detector through the closed doors of the children’s rooms or from the attic when you are on the ground floor,

Just from my experience: I have the non-interconnected devices from Aldi in my current apartment. One device went off (in the hallway) because quite a bit of smoke rose while frying in the kitchen. This caused residents from three neighboring apartments to come into the hallway to check the noise—even though their apartments don’t directly border mine but are separated by the hallway.
You can definitely hear the devices during the night even on a different floor.

If money is the initial concern, buy basic models—even those under €10 (about $11) work. Once the battery runs out (usually they last at least a year), you can always upgrade later.

If you want a wired connection, it is naturally frustrating to have to rely on wireless now. In new construction, wired devices are recommended.
You could start with wireless, but only place them selectively. There are recommendations for minimum protection in residential buildings without equipping every room immediately.

Networking also has a downside: it can be more difficult to determine the exact location of the alarm trigger.

My brother-in-law didn’t wake up during a false alarm, even though there was a smoke detector in the bedroom. That can happen.

In my opinion, networking is not necessary in a single-family home, as it doesn’t provide any practical benefit. Those devices are extremely loud; if you can no longer hear them, it’s already too late.