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What to look out for with smoke detectors

February 11, 2026 | From the editors

As of July 1, 2022, smoke detectors must be installed on every floor of offices. This is an important step in fire safety, as research shows that in 60% of fatal fires, no smoke detector was present.

When choosing smoke detectors, there are several crucial factors to consider:

Smoke detector type: choose between a smoke detector with a replaceable battery or a model with an integrated battery that lasts up to 10 years.

Interconnectability: Consider smoke detectors that can be interconnected. This ensures that when one detector triggers, the others will also sound the alarm.

Location: Place smoke detectors in strategic locations such as hallways, corridors, and at the top of stairs. Ensure they are installed at least 50 cm from walls.

Maintenance: Check the operation of the smoke detectors monthly and remove dust to ensure optimal performance.

Smoke detectors must comply with the NEN 2555 safety standard. This applies to optical smoke detectors installed after 2013. Ensure the smoke detector is NEN-EN 14604 certified and is connected to the mains, if necessary.