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Smoke detectors in Europe - Update on current status in selected EU-Member States Second EFA Roundtable 9 th June 2005

Smoke detectors in Europe - Update on current status in selected EU-Member States Second EFA Roundtable 9 th June 2005, Interschutz. Robert A. Graham Executive Director. Introduction of Smoke Detectors in Europe. Currently very different legal requirements in EU-Member States

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Smoke detectors in Europe - Update on current status in selected EU-Member States Second EFA Roundtable 9 th June 2005

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  1. Smoke detectors in Europe - Update on current status in selected EU-Member States Second EFA Roundtable9th June 2005, Interschutz Robert A. Graham Executive Director

  2. Introduction of Smoke Detectors in Europe • Currently very different legal requirements in EU-Member States • Fire services in EU-Member States are currently conducting individual campaigns • National Governments have diverging objectives • Standard expected to be finalised in 2005 • Looking status in: France, Germany, UK and The Netherlands

  3. Work on the EU Standard • Final Draft European Standard for SDs presented by Technical Committee CEN/TC 72 “Fire Detection and fire alarm systems” on 16th February 2005 • The draft specifies: • Requirements; • test methods; • performance criteria; and • manufacturer’s instructions for smoke alarms intended for households or residential application. • Submitted to vote for CEN Members in autumn 2005

  4. France Current situation: • No Legal obligation to install SD’s in homes • < 1% of homes have SDs • High price (50 euros) • 2003: increased power to local mayors who can oblige introduction of higher fire safety measures (including SD’s) if safety shortcomings are identified in the areas of common use in residential houses (Loi 2003 – 710)

  5. France Current legal initiatives: • 2004 fire prevention campaign results in 2 draft legislations put to the Assemble Nationale in September and December 2004: • Obligation to install SD is residential houses, also including fine for non compliance of 45.000 Euros (No 1806, Section II) • Obligation to install SD in every home (No 2013 Section II) also including fine for non compliance Outlook • Draft legislation is expected to be approved in 2005 • Cheaper SD are on the market (< 20 euros)

  6. Germany Current situation • Responsibility for Building regulation is with Laender level (States) • SD have been introduced in 2 state legislations (Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland) • Up to 10% of homes have SD’s • Working Group including fire services, insurance companies etc to continue SD campaign • Wide range of cheap SD available (5-10 euros)

  7. Germany Current legal initiatives • In 2 States introduction is currently being prepared (Hessen, Schleswig-Holstein) Outlook • Federal level: discussions with politicians – no concrete initiatives currently ungoing

  8. UK Current situation: • As of 1st June 1992, Smoke alarms are legally required in all new built domestic properties in the UK. • Requirements: • At least 1 SA on every floor. • When more than 1 SA is installed, they must be linked • Specific siting requirements • Power supply from dwelling’s main electricity supply

  9. UK Current situation: • Any home renovation requiring legal approval must comply and fit smoke alarms. • 76% of homes have working smoke alarms. But: • 43% of battery-powered alarms failed. • 13% of mains-powered alarms failed.

  10. The Netherlands Current situation • Voluntary installation; About 30% of dwellings have SDs • Since 2003, national Building Code requires new dwellings to have wired SDs (instead of 20-minutes fire resisting doors) • Basis was the British Standard, excluding battery-backup and connection between the detectors • These changes were not communicated with the fire services • In 2002, the Ministry of Environment conducted research about changing from ionisation to optical detectors • Optical detectors are as good as ionisation • There is a big price difference between ionisation (Euro 5) and optical detectors (Euro 25)

  11. The Netherlands Current legal initiatives • In 2004, a kitchen fire caused fire death in a new dwelling with wired smoke detectors • Nibra approached the Minister of Housing and the Home office and raised public awareness Outlook • Result: As of 1st July 2005, new regulation will require: • backup-battery; and • connections among SDs

  12. Conclusion • Work on technical standard expected to be concluded in 2005 – are fire services happy with levels agreed? • Need for harmonised EU approach to make SDs obligatory in private homes? • Opportunity to create best practice example and learn from national programmes via EFA

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