Installing smoke detectors is mandatory

Hello dear forum,

It is now mandatory, at least here with us, to install smoke detectors. And since recently a house actually burned down in the neighborhood, the topic has gained current relevance... i.e. I don’t want to keep putting it off. You never know...

I have an offer for several interconnected detectors, i.e. if one goes off, all the others also sound. That is of course sensible, because whether you would hear the detector through closed doors of the children’s rooms or from the attic, when you are on the ground floor, I wouldn’t be sure, and even if something happened at night, it’s surely good if the alarm goes off right in the bedroom.
Unfortunately, the fun is not cheap, and at the end of the money there is still so much construction left...

For about 1/4 of the money, you could first install smoke detectors without this networking. That would certainly be much better than nothing, but with reduced functionality. In the medium term, I would like the networked solution - and so it seems pointless to spend money now on the small solution, which you then discard in 1-2 years... better to grit your teeth and go for the right thing straight away...
A solution that can be upgraded would be great, so first the detectors and the networking could be added later when the financial situation has normalized.

What do you think about it, what would you implement? Does anyone know such an upgradeable solution?

Whether networked or not, I bet you hear the smoke detector!

If you’re unsure, get a spray to test your non-networked or non-connected smoke detector. Then you can compare and decide.

Even though money shouldn’t matter in something like this (at least you shouldn’t buy cheap Chinese junk), the number of detectors hurts financially. I have 11 non-networked smoke detectors myself.

Why did your neighbor’s place burn down?

Many manufacturers have models that cost around €30 and can be upgraded with (significantly more expensive radio modules) if needed.

We will install this type after moving in, and if remote rooms really cannot be heard everywhere, corresponding modules will simply be retrofitted – in principle, I am at 85db but with .

An example would be the much-praised test winner from Düsseldorf (EI650) with the letter C at the end.

That makes sense, of course, because whether you would hear the detector through closed doors of the children's rooms or from the attic when you are on the ground floor, I wouldn't be sure,

Just from practical experience: I have the non-networked devices from Aldi in my current apartment. One device went off (in the hallway) because there was quite a bit of smoke rising in the kitchen while frying. This caused residents from three neighboring apartments to come into the stairwell to check the noise – even though their apartments do not directly border mine, but are separated by the stairwell.
You can definitely hear the devices at night in another floor.

If it's initially about the money, buy simple models – even those under 10€ work. As soon as the battery is empty (usually they last at least a year), you can always upgrade.

If you want to be networked, it is naturally annoying to do this wirelessly. In new buildings, wired devices are recommended. You could start with wireless now, but only place them selectively. There are recommendations for minimum protection in residential buildings without equipping every room. Being networked also has a disadvantage; the location of the trigger is harder to determine. My brother-in-law did not wake up during a false alarm despite having a smoke detector in the bedroom. That happens too.

In my opinion, networking in a single-family house is not necessary, as there is no practical added value. Those things are so damn loud, if you no longer hear them, it's already too late.