If you come from a country where smoke detectors are obligatory, you may be surprised by the lack of these devices in Swiss dwelliings.
Smoke alarms are mandatory across much of Europe and in other countries as well.
Therefore, many foreign residents are surprised to discover, upon moving into a rented apartment in Switzerland, that these detectors are nowhere to be found.
That’s because they are not legally required.
There is an obvious paradox here: that a country where many actions and behaviours are strictly regulated – from proper recycling to a humane way to boil a lobster – is so lax regarding the fire safety of its population.
But even though these devices are life savers – they sound the alarm before a full-blown fire even starts and emits toxic gases – they are not mandatory, but merely recommended.
This lack has not been considered a problem until a fire ravaged a nightclub in Crans-Montana on January 1st, 2025, killing 41 people and injuring 116 others – some of them severely.
This event incited numerous debates not only about what fire protection measures the bar had on its premises – there were none – but also a more general conversation about the need for fire safety laws for both public establishments and private dwellings.
Since then, nothing has happened on the legislative front, however, and it does not appear that anything will in the near future.
What explains this laxity?
According to Michael Binz, head of Fire Protection at the Association of Cantonal Fire Insurers (VKG), smoke alarms are not mandatory because fire protection in Switzerland is “already at a very high level.”
Additionally, “there are relatively few fatal fires in Switzerland” to justify such a law. (Binz made this comment to public broadcaster SRF in 2024 – that is, before the Crans-Montana incident).
He also pointed out that, given a statistically low risk of fire-inflicted fatalities and serious injuries, “the overall costs of mandatory smoke detectors and the necessary inspections would be disproportionate.”
“Fire protection is a comprehensive concept. Many measures work together within it,” he added.
What exactly are those measures?
Fire Compartmentalisation
Buildings must be divided into sections to limit the spread of fire and smoke.
Residential units are typically separated from each other and from common areas (stairwells, lobbies, technical premises) by fire-resistant elements.
Building Materials
All materials must be tested and certified by the VKG. The use of flammable materials is restricted in critical areas like escape routes.
Structural Integrity
Load-bearing structures must resist fire for a specified minimum duration to ensure the building remains stable during an incident.
Besides these structure-related safety features, the VKG also requires:
Escape and access routes
Clear passageway -: Stairways and corridors serve as primary escape routes and must be kept clear of all personal items (furniture, storage, waste, etc.) at all times to guarantee safe passage. A minimum clear passage width, often 1.20 m, must be maintained.
Fire doors
Fire doors (self-closing doors) in corridors and stairwells must not be propped open or their function compromised in any way.
Emergency exits: Main entrance doors in the direction of escape must be easily openable at all times from the inside without the need for a key or tools.
Signage and lighting
Escape routes must be clearly marked with signs, and safety lighting must be in place to ensure visibility in an emergency evacuation.
How often are inspections of all these compulsory protection features carried out?
The mandatory electrical safety inspections for residential buildings typically occur only every 20 years, unless the building is sold in the meantime or modified in any way.
In terms of overall fire safety, Switzerland, unlike many other countries, doesn’t mandate regular fire inspections for all residential buildings.
The VKG carries out checks in the event of changes to the building, or fire incidents.
But as long as the building does not change, there are no regular inspections.
In Switzerland, the responsibility for the building’s fire protection is shifted from the state to property owners – the latter being required to regularly review fire risk assessments, as well as equipment such as sprinklers, in accordance with VKG’s guidelines.
What if you want to purchase a fire alarm for your apartment?
If you are a home owner, you can do so anytime.
But if you are a tenant, it could be slightly more complicated.
As your landlord is not legally required to provide this device, you can buy – and pay for it – yourself, provided you don’t damage the ceilings or walls in the process.
However, you must first get the landlord’s permission.
READ MORE: Can I make changes to my rented apartment in Switzerland?
