Special smoke detectors for the deaf

Deaf persons with the right to special smoke detectors

02/01/2015

Smoke detectors can save lives in an emergency, which is why many states mandate the installation mandatory. But the deaf help the conventional devices little. They are dependent on special smoke detectors with traffic lights, which, according to a decision of the Federal Social Court in Kassel (Az .: B 3 KR 8/13 R) may even have to be paid by the statutory health insurance (SHI).

The special smoke detectors for the deaf work with light signals instead of noises, whereby several receivers are placed in an apartment, so that in case of emergency light signals become visible throughout the apartment. Ordinary smoke detectors are already mandatory in Baden-Württemberg, Hamburg, Hesse, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Rhineland-Palatinate and Schleswig-Holstein. Homeowners have to retrofit in North Rhine-Westphalia until the end of 2016, in Bavaria by the end of 2017, and in Thuringia by December 31, 2018, according to the news agency „dpa“. Only in Berlin, Brandenburg and Saxony so far no corresponding regulations have been issued and in Saarland, the mandatory installation applies only to new buildings and conversions - but not in the inventory.

Install smoke detectors in all rooms
To ensure the desired safety, the smoke detectors should, according to the announcement of the Association of Private Builders (VPB) in „be installed in the middle of the ceiling in all living and recreation rooms as well as in the hallway and stairwell.“ Even if no one controls whether the smoke detectors are actually installed, homeowners are encouraged here for their own initiative. Deaf people, however, need special equipment that can be a bit more expensive to purchase. About the cost of the special equipment, a deaf had quarreled with his health insurance to the Federal Social Court and finally enforced here in June 2014 his claim to two smoke detectors for the deaf.

Elementary security need
The Federal Social Court followed in its ruling the argumentation of the plaintiff, consequently „an elementary need for security as well as the basic need for independent living“ to be taken into account when assessing the need for special smoke detectors for the deaf. The legal requirements in the respective federal state also play a decisive role according to the verdict of the BSG. (Fp)

Image: Petra Bork