Building owners have until the end of 2025 to plan the purchase of smoke alarms for their apartments and their maintenance and upkeep.
– The building owner's duty is to ensure that the apartments have a sufficient number of working alarms, fire engineer Raila Viljamaa Päijät-Häme rescue service says.
There must be at least one smoke alarm for every 60 square meters and on each floor.
– I recommend installing smoke alarms in the bedrooms and hallway as well, Viljamaa advises.
The owner must also take care of changing the battery and renewing the smoke alarms. The resident is responsible for reporting any faults related to the smoke alarm.
– It is worth testing the operation of the smoke alarm regularly by pressing the button.
Deficiencies in smoke alarms connected to the electricity grid in apartment buildings
A smoke alarm can be either battery-operated or mains-powered. A mains-powered smoke alarm is powered by the mains and is powered by a battery or accumulator. Mains-powered smoke alarms are part of the building's electrical system. Mains-powered smoke alarms are mandatory in residential buildings completed after 1 February 2009.
The Päijät-Häme Rescue Department has discovered deficiencies in its supervision of fire alarms connected to the electrical network that are the responsibility of housing associations.
– We have observed errors in the installation of smoke alarms connected to the electrical network. In addition, smoke alarms have not always been remembered to be replaced after their technical service life has expired, Viljamaa says.
According to the rescue service's observations, in some housing companies, smoke alarms connected to the electrical network have been incorrectly installed as a so-called fire alarm system, so that the device that sounds the alarm is only in the stairwell.
– This poses a danger to residents in the event of a fire, as the alarm must sound separately in each apartment, Viljamaa emphasizes.
Since there are many types of smoke alarms that can be connected to the electrical network, the housing company must determine the battery replacement interval and arrange for regular battery replacement. The housing company should also determine the technical service life of the system in use and ensure that the equipment is replaced as necessary.
Currently, many housing companies are surveying the number of smoke alarms in residential apartments and replacing smoke alarms.
– Now it is a good idea to ensure that every smoke alarm also sounds a warning sound when it detects smoke, the rescue service reminds us.
Contact persons
Marjo Oksanen
Risk Management Manager, Accident Prevention Business Area Director
Phew: 0440 773 208
marjo.oksanen@paijatha.fi
Raila Viljamaa
fire engineer
Phew: 0440 773 223
raila.viljamaa@paijatha.fi
Links:
Päijät-Häme Rescue Department website
Housing association liability information package, Finnish Rescue Services Central Organisation
More information about the legislative change regarding smoke alarms
The welfare area of Päijät-Häme organizes social and health services for the people of Päijätäm, as well as rescue services for the residents of the area.
The Päijät-Häme welfare area includes Asikkala, Hartola, Heinola, Hollola, Iitti, Kärkölä, Lahti, Orimattila, Padasjoki and Sysmä. We take care of the health and safety of over 200 residents.
