CWS Fire Safety GmbH-Blog

Fire Safety in Apartment Buildings

cws-fire-safety-redaktion@news.cws-fire-safety.com (CWS Fire Safety Redaktion) — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:58:08 GMT

Fire safety in apartment buildings presents unique challenges for owners, property management companies, and facility managers. Many people live together in a confined space, escape routes are shared, and technical systems are complex. This makes a comprehensive fire safety plan all the more important—one that minimizes fire hazards, complies with legal requirements, and saves lives in an emergency.

Below, you’ll learn about typical risks, applicable regulations, and which fire safety equipment is recommended for apartment buildings.

Identifying Typical Fire Hazards in Multi-Family Buildings

In apartment buildings, fires often start in private living areas—for example, due to electrical faults, unattended candles, or overheated kitchen appliances. At the same time, common areas pose additional risks.

Among the most common fire hazards in apartment buildings are:

Defective or overloaded electrical systems
Improper use of open flames
Arson in basements or trash rooms
Technical malfunctions in heating systems

Particularly critical: Smoke spreads quickly in stairwells. Without functioning smoke detectors, clear escape route signage, and unobstructed escape and rescue routes, valuable time can be lost.

Legal Requirements for Fire Safety in Multi-Family Buildings

Fire safety in multi-family buildings is clearly regulated in Germany. The regulations are based on the respective state building codes (LBO) as well as special building regulations if the building exceeds certain sizes or types of use.

Important requirements include, among others:

Mandatory smoke detectors in apartments (bedrooms, children’s rooms, hallways)
Ensuring that escape and rescue routes are accessible
Installation of fire-rated doors in required stairwells
Regular maintenance of technical fire protection equipment

Owners and landlords are required to ensure that these systems are installed. Depending on the state, residents are often responsible for ensuring that smoke detectors are in working order. Regular maintenance of fire safety systems ensures legal compliance and minimizes liability risks.

Comprehensive, Systematic Fire Protection in Multi-Family Buildings

Effective fire protection in apartment buildings goes beyond simply installing individual products. The key lies in the synergy between:

Consulting and risk assessment
Professional installation
Regular maintenance and servicing
Training for responsible personnel

As a full-service provider, CWS Fire Safety supports you nationwide—from planning and installation to the maintenance of your fire protection systems. This ensures safety for residents, property, and the environment.

Do you have any questions?

Malte Pohl is now Managing Director and COO of CWS Fire Safety GmbH.

cws-fire-safety-redaktion@news.cws-fire-safety.com (CWS Fire Safety Redaktion) — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 22:00:00 GMT

Malte Pohl became Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of CWS Fire Safety GmbH on September 1, 2026. Together with Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Kamal Kumar, he has assumed leadership of the company. In his new role, the experienced executive is responsible in particular for operations and sales.

Malte Pohl has over 18 years of experience in the fire protection industry. Most recently, he was a member of the executive management team at Minimax GmbH, a leading global provider of fire protection solutions. In this role, he was responsible for the strategic and digital development of the end-customer business and held profit-and-loss responsibility for the service division, which comprises around 1,000 employees. Previously, he held various leadership positions involving both strategic and operational responsibilities and led numerous growth and transformation initiatives.

“I am very much looking forward to joining CWS Fire Safety. The company has developed impressively in recent years; it boasts a dedicated team and a strong market position,” says Malte Pohl. “Together with my colleagues, I want to build on this solid foundation, further enhance operational performance, and successfully shape the next phase of growth for CWS Fire Safety.”

The change coincides with the departure of Ulrich Schild, who is leaving CWS Fire Safety at his own request. He is overseeing the handover of management responsibilities to Malte Pohl to ensure an orderly transition.

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About CWS Fire Safety

CWS Fire Safety is a leading provider of fire protection and safety technology solutions. A nationwide network of experts supports decision-makers with tailored solutions to achieve specific protection goals. The service portfolio encompasses consulting, planning, installation, maintenance, repair, and fire safety training. In this way, CWS Fire Safety contributes to a safe environment for people and assets. CWS Fire Safety is a portfolio company of Franz Haniel & Cie. GmbH.

Do you have any further questions about CWS Fire Safety? Please feel free to get in touch.

CWS Fire Safety acquires DATEL Solutions

cws-fire-safety-editorial@news.cws-fire-safety.com (CWS Fire Safety Editorial) — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 22:15:00 GMT

CWS Fire Safety GmbH has acquired DATEL Solutions GmbH. With this latest acquisition—its 29th to date—the full-service provider of preventive fire protection and security technology expands its network to include an established specialist company boasting an existing customer base and strong technical expertise in the Rhine-Ruhr region.

DATEL Solutions was founded in Hünxe in 1999 and is currently headquartered in Oberhausen. The company employs 15 people and offers services in the fields of fire alarm systems, smoke detectors, hold-open systems, IT infrastructure, and electrical engineering. Moving forward, DATEL Solutions will become part of CWS Fire Safety.

„With DATEL Solutions, we are noticeably strengthening our presence and capabilities in security technology within the Rhine-Ruhr region. The company brings not only an experienced team but also strong customer relationships in the industrial sector, which we aim to further develop together.”
— Kamal Nand Kumar, Chief Financial Officer, CWS Fire Safety

For CWS Fire Safety, the acquisition marks another step in the targeted expansion of its safety technology division. In recent years, the company had already strengthened its expertise in this segment through the acquisitions of the Wellmann Sicherheitstechnik group and Weide & Co Sicherheitssysteme GmbH.

“After many years together, the time has come for me to step down. I am particularly pleased that Ingo Michalski—a long-standing and experienced colleague—will continue to bear responsibility for the company. He has led the division since 2010 and knows our company, our customers, and our service portfolio inside out. With CWS Fire Safety by our side, I feel confident and am convinced that the company will continue to be successfully managed.”
— Thorsten Remer, Managing Director, DATEL Solutions GmbH

With DATEL Solutions, CWS Fire Safety gains a well-coordinated team of experienced technicians as well as new points of contact within the industrial customer sector.

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About CWS Fire Safety
CWS Fire Safety is a leading provider of fire protection and safety technology solutions. A nationwide network of experts supports decision-makers with tailored solutions to achieve specific protection goals. The service portfolio encompasses consulting, planning, installation, maintenance, repair, and fire safety training. In this way, CWS Fire Safety contributes to a safe environment for people and assets. CWS Fire Safety is a portfolio company of Franz Haniel & Cie. GmbH.

Do you have any further questions about CWS Fire Safety? Please feel free to get in touch.

Fire extinguisher consultation from a specialist company

carla-winkelmann@news.cws-fire-safety.com (Carla Winkelmann) — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 22:15:00 GMT

Fires often start faster than you think - and their consequences can be devastating. This makes it all the more important to be prepared. Sound fire extinguisher advice plays a key role here: it ensures that not only a fire extinguisher is available in an emergency - but also the right one, in the right place and in expert hands.

Why a fire extinguisher consultation is essential

Fire extinguishers are one of the most important elements of preventive fire protection. However, many people do not know that not every fire extinguisher is suitable for every situation - and that legal requirements govern the selection and placement.

Professional fire extinguisher advice helps to avoid typical mistakes and to act correctly in an emergency. It provides answers to questions such as:

Which fire extinguisher is suitable for my property or company?

How many devices are needed?

Where should they be installed?

Who is allowed to operate them - and how?

What innovations are there?

Important change: Ban on PFAS-containing fire extinguishers from 2026

A key issue for anyone involved in fire protection is the upcoming regulatory change for fire extinguishers containing PFAS. PFAS (perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances) are harmful to the environment and difficult to break down - which is why strict bans will apply in future:

From October 10, 2026, foam extinguishers containing fluorine with PFAS may no longer be placed on the market or sold.
From January 1, 2031, the use of these devices will be completely prohibited.
During the transition period (10.10.2026 to 31.12.2030), restrictions apply to the use of existing equipment - especially in the commercial sector.

For companies, public institutions and operators, this means that action needs to be taken now.

As part of our fire extinguisher advice, we specifically point out PFAS-free alternatives and support you in switching to future-proof solutions at an early stage.

Talk to us in good time to plan conversions strategically and economically.

Advantages of professional fire extinguisher advice

Safety in an emergency

A correctly selected and positioned fire extinguisher can save lives and protect property. A consultation ensures that exactly the right equipment is installed to work in an emergency - both technically and practically.

Legal safety

Laws, standards and regulations such as ASR A2.2, DIN 14406 or the Workplace Ordinance define clear requirements. Those who do not comply with them risk fines - or worse. A fire extinguisher consultation ensures that all relevant requirements - such as the PFAS ban - are complied with or taken into account in good time.

Individual solutions instead of standard solutions

Every building, every use, every industry entails different risks. While special grease fire extinguishers are required in a commercial kitchen, a foam or CO₂ extinguisher may be sufficient in an office. A consultation systematically analyzes these risks and develops individual measures.

Which fire extinguishers are suitable for which area of application?

Not every fire extinguisher is suitable for every fire class - on the contrary: incorrectly used devices can even make fires worse. Professional fire extinguisher advice helps to avoid making the wrong decisions.

You can find an overview of the common fire extinguisher types and fire classes in our separate blog article on fire extinguisher types.

When is a fire extinguisher consultation useful?

For new buildings or conversions
Before opening a business or location
After a risk assessment
In the event of changes in room usage or fire loads

Particularly in companies and public facilities, the fire extinguisher situation should be regularly checked and documented by experts.

Nationwide advice from experts - customized & standard-compliant

As a certified specialist company, we offer professional fire extinguisher advice nationwide - for companies, public institutions, property management companies and private individuals. Our trained fire protection experts analyze your on-site conditions and develop tailor-made concepts that are both practical and legally compliant.

Our services at a glance:

Property-related risk analysis

Advice on the selection and placement of fire extinguishers

Training and instruction of your employees

Planning of supplementary fire protection measures

Support with maintenance and documentation

Whether you are a large company, educational institution or private household - we are on duty for you throughout Germany and ensure that you are prepared in the event of an emergency.

Request fire extinguisher advice now.

What are extinguishing agent units?

carla-winkelmann@news.cws-fire-safety.com (Carla Winkelmann) — Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Who is allowed to test fire doors?

carla-winkelmann@news.cws-fire-safety.com (Carla Winkelmann) — Fri, 22 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Permanent pressure extinguisher or rechargeable extinguisher

carla-winkelmann@news.cws-fire-safety.com (Carla Winkelmann) — Tue, 19 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Escape door lock: Protection against unauthorised use

carla-winkelmann@news.cws-fire-safety.com (Carla Winkelmann) — Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Electroacoustic & electroacoustic emergency warning systems

carla-winkelmann@news.cws-fire-safety.com (Carla Winkelmann) — Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Procedure of a wall hydrant maintenance

carina-ingendae@news.cws-fire-safety.com (Carina Ingendae) — Fri, 08 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT