Fact check: “We are currently receiving an internal report from the fire department…”

False “smoke detector controllers” have been a recurring topic on Whatsapp, Facebook and CO for years! This is due to a chain letter that creates as much irritation as it is helpful.

The alleged smoke detector controllers: It is this chain letter that says “We are currently receiving an internal report from the fire department. ..there are people on the move who want to work their way from house to house and control them.” This chain letter is sent over and over again with the same wording. Just like currently via WhatsApp and Facebook, as you can see from the date here:

This chain letter warns against fake smoke detector inspectors trying to gain access to houses. The chain letter as wording:

We are currently receiving an internal report from the fire department. ..there are people out and about who work their way from house to house and want to check whether the smoke detectors, which have been required by law since January, are there...don't let them in and call the police. ...an organized criminal gang!!! Keep posting!! Please don't let anyone in!!! PLEASE SHARE LOTS

The problem

The chain letter is very often shared in places where no false smoke detector checks have taken place. In these cases, the chain letter creates more hysteria than it is helpful.

Nevertheless, the reason is definitely justified since this type of cheating method actually exists!

Fraudsters repeatedly gain access to apartments by pretending to be a fire department and claiming to have to check the smoke detectors. Dithmarschen fire department is now also warning about this .

And behind this pretext there is usually a scam. The purpose behind this seems to be, among other things, to scout out valuable stolen property. In any case, the fire departments are neither authorized nor intended to check smoke detectors.

Fire department warns: We won't do that!

If the fire brigade rings the doorbell and says they have to check whether there are smoke detectors and whether they are fully functional, then every resident should be suspicious. This kind of control activity does not fall within the remit of a fire department.

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Smoke alarms have been required by law in every apartment since 2010. Likewise, the state building regulations of the state of Schleswig-Holstein stipulate in Section 49 Paragraph 4 that ensuring operational readiness is the responsibility of the immediate owners of the apartment. Unless the owner of the apartment assumes this obligation himself.

It is therefore clearly regulated that everyone is responsible for their own actions. Tenants only have to clarify whether they themselves or the landlord takes responsibility. But the fire department has nothing to do with it.

Smoke detector check: What to do in an emergency?

If supposed fire department members ring the doorbell and want to check the smoke detectors, you shouldn't be convinced by uniforms. For real members of the fire department, it is easy to prove their membership upon request. The national fire brigade service cards have already been introduced in many fire departments. In addition to information about the fire department, these also have personal information with a photo.

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If such an ID is not available, an accompanying report recipient can also confirm the fire department's affiliation, as the name of the carrier and the fire department can usually be shown on the display. If there is uncertainty, access to the apartment must initially be refused and a new appointment must be arranged. This basically prevents false smoke detector inspectors.

During this time, you can ask the local fire chief to find out whether the visitors were actually members of the fire department.

But the fact remains: the fire departments do not make house visits to check the fire protection systems!