Energy, Latvia, Legislation, Real Estate, Security

The regulations state that, besides having the duty to prevent a fire if possible, all persons inside a building must immediately leave it if the fire alarm goes off.

In the case of a fire, one has to immediately call firefighters and inform them upon arrival about persons who may be inside the building, where fire hydrants are located, how to best access the building on fire, and suchlike.

The regulations will come into force on September 1 this year.

The new regulations also deal with requirements on ventilation and gas appliances.

Most house fire fatalities occur due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Firefighters insist that installing smoke detectors in apartments and private homes will help drastically reduce the number of fire fatalities.

Smoke detectors have been compulsory in all new apartment buildings constructed after 2008, but from 2020, they will have to be installed in all apartments and private homes in Latvia, including in soviet-era apartment buildings.

Although the law will oblige residents to install smoke detectors at their homes, firefighters will not be inspecting homes, and no one will be fined for not installing a smoke detector. The State Fire and Rescue Service said previously that the new provision was meant to prompt residents to think about their safety.

Smoke detectors cost anywhere from EUR 5 to EUR 90 at online stores.