The organisation
The Forum Brandrauchprävention e.V. has been operating the „Rauchmelder retten Leben“ (Smoke Detectors Save Lives) initiative since the year 2000, with the aim of substantially reducing the number of fire victims in Germany. The use of smoke detectors as protective fire prevention is the central focus of this initiative. Counted among the members of the forum are leading umbrella associations such as the “Deutsche Feuerwehrverband” (German Fire Brigade Association), the “Vereinigung zur Förderung des Deutschen Brandschutzes” (Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection), the “Bundesverband der Schornsteinfeger” (Federal Association of Chimney Sweeps) as well as manufacturers and service providers. The Forum’s business arm is the agency eobiont GmbH in Berlin, which is also at your disposal as the Forum’s contact partner.
The history of the Q-quality mark
The Forum committed itself very early on to ensuring good quality smoke detectors were available on the market. Under the umbrella of the vfdb, the “Vereinigung zur Förderung des Deutschen Brandschutzes” (Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection) experts developed the vfdb-Directive 14-01 with increased requirements for smoke detectors. This directive requires the minimum standards as set down in DIN EN 14604 (see CE label) and adds substantially higher requirements for quality.
In 2011, the Q-quality mark was registered and protected for the first time at the German patent and trademark office and in 2015 as a European community trademark. In its technical requirements, the “Q” is based on the vfdb-Directive 14-01 and counts as an independent quality seal for high quality smoke detectors with tried and tested operational longevity and a higher degree of accuracy in preventing false alarms.
Since coming into being, the Q-quality mark has established itself firmly on the market. The majority of professional housing associations and German fire departments now explicitly demand the use of Q-certified smoke detectors. Until the end of 2024, manufacturers can still licence their smoke detectors in accordance with the vfdb-Directive 14-01.
The “Q” in accordance with the certification regulations
When the European certification mark “Q” was registered at the end of 2020 with the European Union Office for Intellectual Property (EUIPO), it was not only the increased, market-aligned quality requirements that were determined. The certification regulations define how the mark is used, how it is monitored (including sanction proceedings) and the process to be used by testing institutes. All requirements set down in the certification regulations can be found a www.q-certified.eu/en/regulations
From 2025 onwards, the Q-quality mark will only be awarded to smoke detectors that have been tested and certified in accordance with the certification regulations.