Ionisationsmelder sind leicht radioaktive Quellen. hpm entsorgt nach Strahlenschutzgesetz und ElektroG.

Full service from one of the most experienced specialists

Dangers posed by smoke detectors – safe disposal with hpm

Smoke detectors save lives, there's no question about that. They provide us with valuable early warning in the event of a fire and protect us from dangerous smoke inhalation. But did you know that the disposal of smoke detectors – for example, in the event of a defect or during building renovation – requires specialist knowledge and, in some cases, compliance with radiation protection regulations? The different types of smoke detectors pose specific hazards that can affect not only the environment but also your health.

More than 20 years of experience

hpm acquired expertise in this special disposal discipline over 20 years ago and is now one of Germany's most experienced service providers in this field. We received our first authorisation for disposal of smoke detectors in 2001 – exactly how long we have been working with the manufacturer BOSCH.

Different types of smoke detectors – different hazards

In general, a distinction is made between two types of smoke detectors, which must be treated very differently: ionization smoke detectors (“I-detectors”) and optical smoke detectors.

Ionization smoke detectors: Radiation sources in your building

I-detectors work by using a small amount of radioactive material (usually americium-241), which emits low levels of radiation. This radiation is used to ionize the air. When smoke particles enter the detector, the ionization process changes, triggering the alarm.

Since ionization smoke detectors contain radioactive materials, they must be disposed of with special care at the end of their service life. Only certified specialist companies such as hpm are permitted to carry out disposal in compliance with radiation protection regulations.

Optical smoke detectors: highly flammable batteries

Unlike ionization smoke detectors, optical smoke detectors do not use radioactive materials, but they do contain a lithium battery. It is bitterly ironic that if the battery is not disposed of correctly, smoke detectors can cause short circuits and thus fires. Therefore, the same rule applies here: no disposal without certified experts!

hpm – your expert for safe disposal

As a primary treatment company, hpm has collected, dismantled, and prepared for disposal more than 1.4 million I-detectors since 2001. In addition to manufacturers, more than 800 other companies, such as installation companies, planning and engineering offices, and waste disposal companies, use the services of our trained radiation protection experts. Our facility for the treatment of low-level radioactive sources works in close cooperation with the Lower Saxony State Collection Point as the responsible authority.

The number of optical smoke detectors we treated in 2024 alone was 9.5 tons, which corresponds to approximately 47,000 units. What is impressive about this figure is that dismantling is done exclusively by hand. This is time-consuming, but it ensures that all crucial components – the battery, the circuit board, and the plastics – can be separated and recycled properly. Another component of our services is the testing, including reading and visual inspection, of the disused optical detectors.

After initially working with hpm on the disposal of our smoke detectors, we decided to extend our partnership to cover the entire return process. From receipt and data collection to storage and recycling, hpm takes care of customer complaints. The implementation took six months, and we are very satisfied with the result. Thanks to our partnership with hpm, we have been able to significantly reduce our environmental footprint and improve the efficiency of our recycling process.

Julien Rivoiro | Customer Quality Engineer | Safety Detector BU | Hager Group, France

Why hpm?

Professional disposal: We offer a secure disposal service for all types of smoke detectors.
Extensive experience: More than 20 years of experience in handling I-detectors, close cooperation with the relevant authorities.
Competent advice: We are happy to advise you on the specific requirements of disposal and inform you about the applicable regulations.
Optimization of storage capacity: Professional dismantling of smoke detectors reduces the capacity in the final storage facility.
Sustainability: By separating the components, we focus on environmentally friendly disposal processes that meet the highest standards.

Your contact