Certify Your Smoke Detectors - NF Standard

The stand-alone smoke alarm device (DAAF) is designed to detect smoke and then transmit a clear alarm signal, enabling occupants to evacuate the dwelling as quickly as possible.

• Articles L. 129-8 to 129-9 and R. 129-12 to R. 129-15 of the French Construction and Housing Code mandate the installation and maintenance of at least one standardized smoke detector in dwellings.

• The deadline for smoke detector installation was set for March 8, 2015. However, Law No. 2015-990 of August 6, 2015, for growth, activity, and economic equality, granted an additional period until January 1, 2016, for installation, provided that the detector purchase contract was signed no later than March 8, 2015.

• Responsibility for detector installation, initially assigned to the occupant, was transferred to the property owner (Law No. 2014-366 of March 24, 2014, known as the "Alur" law, amending Article L.129-8 of the CCH, and Decree No. 2015-114 of February 2, 2015, amending Article R.129-13 of the CCH). For rental properties, the owner must ensure proper functioning during the entry inventory of fixtures. The tenant, as the occupant, remains responsible for detector maintenance and must ensure its replacement, if necessary, for the duration of their occupancy.

By exception, the responsibility for detector installation and maintenance lies with:

• The owner for seasonal accommodations, hostels (...) whose management is provided by the owner or by an organization other than those mentioned in Article L.365-4, socially-oriented residential hotels, housing allocated or rented due to the exercise of a function or employment, and furnished rentals.
• Approved organizations mentioned in Article L.365-4 engaged in social rental intermediation and management activities for hostels and family housing managed by these organizations.

The technical specifications of the standardized smoke detector and the conditions for its installation, maintenance, and operation were specified by the Decree of February 5, 2013. 
According to an article published in the 'Droit et réglementation' (Law and Regulations) section of Face au Risque.

• Equip yourselves in accordance with regulatory requirements. If you are a tenant, contact your landlord; responsibility for this detector falls upon them since the "Alur" law of March 24, 2014.
• Maintain your detectors (batteries, dusting, test button).
• Properly install your DAAF by following the instructions in the manual (placement, etc.).
• The DAAF must have CE marking and comply with standard EN 14604.
• The NF mark provides additional guarantees, including production monitoring twice a year, radio link certification for interconnection, a clear and explicit manual in French, etc.

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