They cost between 20 and 30 euros on average

In France, fires are the leading cause of mortality in children under five years. It is one of the reasons that motivated the Act passed by Parliament on February 25. It will make it mandatory in all housing smoke detectors within a period of five years. We will not make that catch a widespread practice elsewhere. The rate of equipment amounts to 98 in Norway, 95 in the United States, 94 to Canada, 89 in the United Kingdom, 88 in Sweden... against 1 in France! However, all countries that have experienced argue a same figure: the risk of death in the fire of a dwelling are cut in half when the units are equipped with sensors.

All occupants are affected by the new measure. Tenants and owners must therefore take very seriously the obligation that they will be soon. Gold that said the law exactly Previously, housing, Parliament means local use of housing, mixed use space, whether it is a principal residence or school, regardless of its date of construction. This obligation also to the owner whose housing is not occupied (by itself or a tenant).

However, with respect to the rentals, homes, housing and furnished rentals, a decree forthcoming define conditions for the application. It will also specify the security measures to be implemented by the owners in common parts of buildings to prevent any risk of fire.

Rules already apply to the common parts of some buildings. Especially to those receiving the public as well as the tall buildings (IGH), subject to specific regulations. Buildings constructed after January 1, 1986 are also subject to the Decree of January 31, 1986, which provides, for its part, the measures to be taken to strengthen the resistance to fire of building materials, facilitate the evacuation of the occupants of the building, access to relief and prevent the spread of fire and the smoke of a dwelling to another. But it does nothing previously completed construction... Which excludes no less than 83 of the French housing stock!

What are the most vulnerable because the more dilapidated. For evidence, 96 of deaths occur in buildings not subject to the regulations of the Decree of January 31, 1986. From this point of view, smoke detectors have a clear role to play. As two thirds of the deaths are related to inhaled smoke and that they take place mostly at night, for a period of sleep. Remains whether we can rely on the reliability of currently smoke detectors on the market.

A detector by housing

At least one smoke alarm must be installed in each housing. Nothing prohibits, however to install several. According to the Federation of firefighters, it is better to fix it other than in the kitchen or bathroom. The ideal is the screw or the paste away from a source of normal smoke, steam or moisture. He must know that it makes no difference between vapour condensation and smoke of a fire detector. This small device, which is easily in the hand, detects smoke from the first moments. It then triggers a strident alarm. Effectively, in principle, to warn the occupants of day and night and to allow them to control the nascent fire, either flee before it's too late.

Very easy to ask, the existing models are optical sensors that respond to fire to slow progression, which can incubate for many hours before bursting. Avoid detectors to 6 or 8 euros from emerging countries, and focus on the sensors manufactured in the European Community (EC) and stamped the NF standard. They cost between 20 and 30 euros on average. However, the offer may reach 50, even 100 euros. In any event, an order to appear in the next six months will specify the technical characteristics of the smoke detector standard and conditions of installation, maintenance and operation.

Certification of equipment

But without waiting, professional firefighters already give this advice: purchased batteries detectors, they recommend to prefer those that trigger when the alarm, regardless of the level of wear and tear of batteries, knowing that they, according to the models, last between two and five years.

The occupant of the dwelling must notify the installation of the sensor to his insurance company. It is therefore to provide a certificate of purchase to the detector. It is even expected that the insurer gives a reduction of the premium or the assessment provided by the insurance policy guaranteeing the fire damage when it is established that the insured has complied with the planned obligations. Insurers will play the game For now, still very discreet. Follow...