Written by: NoClaims - Last updated: 06-10-2026 at 08:26 hrs
As the owner or manager of an office building, you have a legal duty of care for the safety of the building and everyone who uses it. An important part of this is having periodic inspections carried out.
But which inspections are mandatory exactly, how often must they take place and who is responsible? This article gives you a practical overview, including the legal basis and the corresponding frequency.
Each installation has its own inspection rules. The most common obligations for an office building are:
Alongside each inspection you must keep a logbook; read how to do this correctly in our article on registering fire safety. Keep every inspection report so that it is ready when an inspector visits.
The table below gives a quick overview of the most common mandatory inspections for office buildings in the Netherlands. The exact obligations may differ based on the size, use and installations present.
| Installation | Frequency | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| Lift | Every 18 months | Warenwetbesluit Liften |
| Fire alarm system | Annually | Bouwbesluit / NEN 2654 |
| Fire extinguishers | Annually | Arbeidsomstandighedenbesluit |
| Emergency lighting | Annually | NEN-EN 1838 |
| Electrical installation | Every 4 years | NEN 3140 |
| Legionella management plan | Annual analysis | Drinkwaterbesluit |
Office buildings larger than 100 m² with a predominantly office function have been required to have at least energy label C since 2023. Buildings that do not meet this may officially no longer be used as offices.
For hot water installations or cooling towers, the Drinking Water Decree requires an annual legionella risk analysis, with water samples and control measures where necessary.
Supervision is split across several authorities:
The consequences of non-compliance are significant. A lift without a valid inspection can be shut down, and in the event of a fire incident involving a fire alarm system that cannot be demonstrably proven as inspected, the insurer can refuse to pay out. Demonstrability is therefore at least as important as the inspection itself.
With multiple installations and buildings, keeping track of all expiry dates quickly becomes complex. With separate calendars and spreadsheets, the chance of a missed inspection is real.
A digital logbook offers a solution. With the NoClaims software you keep everything in one place:
Request a no-obligation quote to see what this can deliver for your portfolio.
These include the lift (every 18 months), the fire alarm system, fire extinguishers and emergency lighting (annually), the electrical installation (NEN 3140, usually every 4 years) and an annual legionella risk analysis for water installations.
At least once every 18 months by an accredited inspection body, based on the Warenwetbesluit Liften (Dutch Lifts Decree).
A lift can be shut down, the municipality can impose a usage ban, and in the event of an incident the insurer can refuse to pay out. You can also be held personally liable.
Yes, since 1 January 2023 office buildings larger than 100 m2 with a predominantly office function are required to have at least energy label C.
The owner or manager of the building, even when maintenance is outsourced to an external party.