Written by: NoClaims - Last updated: 11-06-2026 at 14:41 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.
Does your building have a lift? Then an inspection by an accredited body is mandatory at least every 18 months, with written documentation. A fire alarm system is inspected annually by a certified party. In addition to the inspection, you are required to keep a logbook; you can read how to do this correctly in our article on registering fire safety.
Fire extinguishers and fire hose reels are checked annually for operation, pressure and shelf life. Emergency lighting is tested annually for automatic activation and light intensity. The electrical installation is usually inspected every four years based on NEN 3140. Keep every inspection report so that it is available during an inspection.
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 lies with various authorities: the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate for lifts, the municipality via the Building Decree for fire safety, and the Netherlands Labour Authority for working conditions.
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 register all installations per property, monitor expiry dates automatically and have reports ready immediately during an inspection. 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.