The effect of the smoke alarm obligation – Experiences from Germany based on the data from 1998–2022

Germany has had over 20 years of experience with the mandatory use of smoke alarms in households, apartments and residential areas. Since the first smoke alarm obligation (SAO), all federal states have now gradually stipulated an SAO in their building codes over different points of time and with different details. In addition to the positive experiences in concrete practical cases, in which smoke alarms warned people of fire, the effect of this regulation measure can be demonstrated statistically by analysing the development of fire fatality risks for Germany overall and in the individual federal states based on significance tests (t-tests). The benefit of this measure is occasionally questioned in public discussion, although the existing studies show positive effects. So far, there has not been sufficient experience or samples for all federal states to provide an statistical answer. The study presented here examines the impact of the SAO in Germany over the period from 1998 to 2022. Compared to previous analyses, this is the first time that data for the period from 2017 to 2022 are included in the analysis. This provides, a differentiation between the SAO for new buildings (SAO NB ) and existing buildings (SAO EB ). The result of the study shows a significant effect in Germany and in 12 of 16 federal states. The positive effects have increased in recent years, as can be seen in comparison with the latest analyses. • The study consolidates data from 1998 to 2022, providing a comprehensive analysis of the impact of the Smoke Alarm Obligation (SAO) across all German federal states. This extensive dataset allows for a detailed examination of trends and the effectiveness of the SAO over a significant period, ensuring robust and reliable conclusions. • The Smoke Alarm Obligation has led to a significant reduction in fire fatality risks across Germany, demonstrating its effectiveness in enhancing fire safety. • The study employs detailed statistical analysis, comparing fire fatality risks before and after the SAO implementation and finds significant differences, underscoring the regulation's impact. • All 16 German federal states have implemented the SAO at different times, covering both new buildings (SAO NB ) and existing buildings (SAO EB ), which has allowed for a comprehensive analysis of its impact.