The operation of a smoke detector has a significant impact on the early detection of a fire and the ability to escape from it. In 2018, the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency Tukes, with the assistance of the Finnish Rescue Services Association (SPEK), is coordinating the work of the Finnish Fire Safety Agency. study. The results of the survey showed that up to 56% of fires in residential buildings were caused by a smoke alarm that did not work or was not present at all. In cases of fire fatalities, the corresponding figure was 74%.
The role of smoke detectors in improving housing safety was also highlighted in a study by the Finnish Social Democratic Party (SPEK) and the Housing Financing and Development Centre (ARA), which examined cost-effective ways to improve fire safety in rental housing. It was found that transferring responsibility for smoke alarms from the tenant to the building company is the best way to prevent fires in apartments.
The law reform, which will enter into force at the beginning of 2024, aims not only to improve fire safety in housing, but also to simplify the regulation on the subject.
Clear guidance and division of responsibilities
The aim of the reform is to enable better implementation of fire safety obligations through clarification. Previously, battery-operated and mains-connected smoke detectors and the obligations relating to electrical safety were regulated by different laws. Now these have all been brought together in a single legislative package, making it easier to understand the obligations.
Lauri Lehto, SPEK's safety expert in fire-fighting technology, explains the content of the new law. "The building owner, i.e. the housing company, will be obliged to survey the fire safety of the building and draw up plans for the purchase and maintenance of smoke detectors. It must also draw up instructions for residents on the obligation to notify, the operation of smoke detectors and problem situations. One of the biggest changes is that the maintenance obligation now also applies to battery-powered smoke alarms. Previously, only fixed electrical installations, i.e. smoke alarms connected to the mains, were the responsibility of the housing association."
Although the responsibility for the purchase and maintenance of smoke alarms is now transferred to the housing association, the tenant still has responsibilities. "It will remain the responsibility of the tenant to ensure that the smoke alarms are in use and working properly. Any problems must be reported to the housing association. In order to comply with this obligation, it is essential that the tenant is well informed about the issue. In addition to the operation of the smoke detector, the tenant must also be told how to act in the event of a problem or alarm."
Only enough is enough
According to the Rescue Act, there must be a sufficient number of smoke detectors and other devices in the dwelling to detect and warn of an incipient fire as early as possible. A regulation issued by the Ministry of the Interior also stipulates that there should be one smoke alarm for every 60 m2 of floor space.
Lauri Lehto considers the reform to be a good thing in that it now makes it possible for housing companies to bring their fire safety up to date. "When considering the number of smoke detectors, instead of just square metres, the shape of the premises should also be taken into account, as well as whether there are any activities in the premises that pose a particular risk of ignition. The number of storeys in a building and the means of egress, for example, also have an impact on the need for smoke alarms. The most important thing is to install a sufficient number of detectors to cover the whole site, taking into account its specific characteristics."
Fire safety with the highest quality equipment on the market
The starting point for the reform is that the smoke alarms installed in a building will comply with safety standards. The best fire protection for a property is provided by devices that meet the requirements of the EN54 standard.
Nuutti Panula, Sales Manager at PAP, says that all the products offered by PAP to housing companies comply with the EN54 standard. "Our solution is a centralised smoke alarm system, which includes a separate central unit and detectors for individual apartments connected to it. For smaller sites we offer the Panasonic EBLone system, for larger ones the EBL512 G3 solution. The latter is also suitable for very large sites, such as shopping centres."
Fire detectors today are much more intelligent than in the past. "The central unit of the system monitors the condition of the equipment in the dwellings. The detectors are addressable and the control centre will give an alert when, for example, a detector is dirty or in need of maintenance. The centrally controlled system makes it much easier to manage fire safety in the building, as there is no longer a need to test the detectors in the apartments or replace their batteries one by one. The central device automatically monitors the status of the system and always tells you if an individual detector has failed or has been disconnected from the system."
The PAP systems use multi-criteria detectors that not only measure the smoke content of the room, but also its heat. "Many people will recognise a situation where a smoke alarm starts to sound because of water vapour coming from a shower room, for example. One of the features that makes the devices so much more convenient to use is that their sensitivity can be adjusted or the device can be momentarily muted by means of a separate button. The use of a mute button is recommended in places like housing estates, as it helps to reduce unnecessary alarms."
A modern smoke alarm system that takes into account the specific characteristics of the building will also bring cost savings for the housing company. "The alternative to battery-powered smoke alarms is wireless Panasonic devices with features similar to battery-powered devices. The advantage of a wireless system is that no cables need to be run to the site for installation, making it a cost-effective solution. The cost-effectiveness is further enhanced by the fact that any problems with the system are automatically reported to the service centre. Maintenance costs are reduced when the system tells you whether you need to go to the site to fix the problem or whether remote acknowledgement is sufficient. The wireless system can therefore be recommended for sites that want to move to a more cost-effective, centralised fire system."
Another feature of a modern fire system is that it can be managed remotely. "Today, systems can be controlled from anywhere. Detector maintenance values can be read and all alarms can be acknowledged remotely."
Panasonic systems installed by PAP are open. This means that a housing company can freely tender and order maintenance of its system from any fire alarm company.
A service tailored to the needs of the housing company
The building company receives a service from PAP that is the right size for its needs. "In addition to full system implementations, we also offer a range of service packages. If the housing company wishes, it can order installation work, maintenance, updating and management of system documentation or annual maintenance of systems and equipment. Whatever the solution, the implementation of a modern system will increase the cost savings and quality of fire safety."
The transitional period for the reform is two years and housing companies should ensure that their fire safety is in order by the end of 2025 at the latest. "The coming spring general meeting is a good time to raise this important issue. Anticipation is the best fire protection and with the PAP, a building society can easily ensure that its fire safety is brought up to the level required by law."