Fire Protection in Buildings: Are Your Hydrants Functional?

Fire protection is often ignored until an emergency happens. However, maintaining fire extinguishers, keeping hallways clear, and ensuring hydrants work are legal requirements for every residential community in Serbia.

Legal Requirements

Buildings must have functional hydrants (checked annually), fire extinguishers (serviced every 6 months), and emergency lighting. Keeping personal items like bikes or cabinets in hallways is strictly prohibited as it blocks evacuation routes.

Quick monthly checklist

Cabinet intact, hose present and properly coiled.

Extinguisher seal and service label valid.

No clutter in stairwells; test emergency lights where available.

Emergencies: who to call?

Call the fire brigade at 193 and evacuate via stairs. Report damaged hydrant cabinets to your manager and the municipal inspectorate.

Who is Responsible?

The building manager is responsible for hiring licensed firms to inspect the equipment. Fines for non-compliance can exceed 1,000,000 RSD. Stay safe and ensure your building is up to standard.