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Which smoke alarms are mandatory, and may they be smart?

Short answer

Smoke alarms are mandatory in Flanders (since 2020), Brussels (since 2025), Wallonia (since 2004) and the Netherlands (since 1 July 2022), usually at least one per floor. A smart alarm is fine if it meets EN 14604.

Smoke alarm map: Four regions with the year smoke alarms became mandatory (VL 2020, BR 2025, WA 2004, NL 2022) and the minimum rule.
Smoke alarm map — Four regions with the year smoke alarms became mandatory (VL 2020, BR 2025, WA 2004, NL 2022) and the minimum rule. (The text inside the figure is in Dutch.)

Smoke alarms by region →

Explanation

A smoke alarm warns early enough to escape. Interconnected alarms all sound at once, handy in homes with several floors. A smart alarm can also send a notification to your phone, but the siren remains what matters most.

Rules of thumb

  • Flanders: since 1 January 2020 in all homes, in the hall or stairwell and on every occupied floor. [SW-S64]
  • Brussels: since 1 January 2025 in all homes; per floor; interconnect from 4 alarms; optical, 10-year battery, EN 14604. [SW-S65]
  • Wallonia: since 2004; NBN EN 14604; 5-year warranty. [SW-S66]
  • NL: since 1 July 2022 in all existing homes, on every storey with a habitable room or with an enclosed space an escape route passes through; battery alarms to EN 14604 are sufficient. [SW-S67]
Figures from the source
ValueUnitRegionSourceNote
2020-01-01datumnot given as data in the sourceSW-S64verplicht in alle woningen; hal of trappenhuis en elke bewoonde verdieping
2025-01-01datumnot given as data in the sourceSW-S65verplicht in alle woningen; per verdieping
4meldersnot given as data in the sourceSW-S65vanaf 4 melders gekoppeld
10jaarnot given as data in the sourceSW-S6510-jaarsbatterij, optisch, EN 14604
2004jaarnot given as data in the sourceSW-S66regelgeving sinds 2004; aantal niet in onze bron
5jaarnot given as data in the sourceSW-S665 jaar garantie; NBN EN 14604
2022-07-01datumnot given as data in the sourceSW-S67elke bouwlaag met verblijfsruimte of besloten ruimte waardoor een vluchtroute voert

The source does not give the region as separate data for these figures; see the regional notes. The notes are in Dutch.

Pitfalls

  • An alarm that only sends an app notification without a loud siren is not enough. [SW-S65]
  • Do not hang one in the kitchen or bathroom (false alarms from steam). [SW-S65]

By region

Flanders
Woningpas / Flemish government. [SW-S64]
Brussels
be.brussels. [SW-S65]
Wallonia
wallonie.be. [SW-S66]
Netherlands
IPLO (Dutch government); rooms for rent, childcare and lodging: NEN 2555. [SW-S67]

Search terms

These search terms are in Dutch; only terms that also find a topic in English are links.

rookmelder EN 14604 gekoppeld brandveiligheid

Read also

General information, not personal advice. Check the source and reference date.

In acute danger (fire, CO alarm): leave the home and call 112.

Not legal advice. Rules differ by country and region; consult the competent authority.

Sources

  1. SW-S64 Brandveilige woning — minimale vereisten — Vlaamse overheid (Woningpas) (Reference date 2026-09-27)
  2. SW-S65 Smoke detectors mandatory in Brussels from 2025 — be.brussels (Reference date 2026-09-27)
  3. SW-S66 Disposer de détecteurs incendie dans votre logement — Wallonie.be (Reference date 2026-09-27)
  4. SW-S67 Brandmeldinstallatie, ontruimingsalarminstallatie en rookmelders (Bbl-uitleg, september 2024) — Informatiepunt Leefomgeving (IPLO, Rijksoverheid) (Reference date 2026-09-27)

Reference date: 2026-09-27 · Translated with AI from the Dutch original.