What Fines Can Be Imposed for Failing to Conduct Inspections? An Overview of Penalties for Businesses
For the sake of simplicity, we use the term inspection as a general term for the inspections, checks, tests, and maintenance procedures required by law for individual technical and fire safety equipment.
A missing inspection report, an expired fire extinguisher inspection date, or equipment operated without a valid certificate. Any of these violations can result in administrative proceedings, operational restrictions, or a denial of insurance coverage. During inspections by the State Labor Inspection Office (SÚIP) and the Fire Department (HZS), corrective measures are routinely imposed for identified violations, and fines may also be imposed depending on the severity of the violation. Let’s go over exactly what risks companies face and how they can be avoided.
Who oversees the inspections, and on what basis?
Inspections in commercial buildings are carried out by two main state regulatory agencies. Labor Inspection Audit by the State Labor Inspection Office (SÚIP) and its regional inspectorates (OIP) focuses on designated technical equipment in accordance with Act No. 250/2021 Coll. — particularly electrical, gas, and pressure equipment. It verifies whether they have valid inspection reports, whether inspections are conducted within the specified timeframes, and whether they are performed by individuals with the appropriate professional qualifications.
Fire and Rescue Service of the Czech Republic (HZS) oversees compliance with fire safety obligations in accordance with Act No. 133/1985 Coll. Checks the presence and condition of fire extinguishers, fire hydrants, dampers, seals, and emergency lighting.
Both inspections are conducted both on a scheduled basis and on a random basis—particularly following extraordinary events. The operator is not entitled to prior notice, and any missing documentation is identified immediately.
Fines for Failure to Conduct Technical Inspections of Technical Equipment — Act No. 250/2021 Coll.
Act No. 250/2021 Coll. and its implementing regulations set forth specific penalties for violations of an operator’s obligations. SÚIP Fine may be imposed on a legal entity or an individual engaged in business for:
The most common reasons for imposing a fine
• missing or expired inspection report for electrical wiring, lightning protection, or gas equipment,
• having an inspection performed by a person without valid professional certification,
• Failure to present inspection documentation during a labor inspection,
• Operation of the facility in violation of the terms of the inspection report.
The amount of the penalty depends on the severity of the violation, the extent to which people are at risk, and whether the violation is a repeat offense. Penalties for Missing Inspections In serious cases, these penalties may reach the maximum amount set by law—in some cases, up to 2,000,000 CZK for legal entities. If a facility poses an immediate threat to the safety of persons or property, the regulatory authority may prohibit its continued operation or order corrective measures to be taken.
Penalties for Negligence in Fire Safety — Act No. 133/1985 Coll.
Fire safety has its own system of penalties. During an inspection, the Fire Department may impose a fine for:
• missing or non-compliant fire extinguishers,
• inoperative fire water mains, hydrants, or dry pipes,
• Failure to perform regular inspections of fire dampers and seals,
• Malfunctioning emergency lighting or lack thereof.
Operator Liability The standards for the condition of fire safety equipment are strict—the law does not provide for any leniency in cases where the operator “was unaware.” Under Act No. 133/1985 Coll., penalties for legal entities can reach up to 1,000,000 CZK in repeated or serious cases. In serious cases, the Fire and Rescue Service may impose measures to restrict or prohibit the use of a building or part thereof, provided that the statutory conditions are met.
Denied Insurance Claims — A Hidden Threat That Companies Underestimate
An administrative fine hurts, but a denied insurance claim can put a company out of business. Insurance companies typically include a provision in their policies stating that the insured is required to comply with legal regulations pertaining to the property being operated—including mandatory inspections.
If an insured event occurs and the insurance company determines during its investigation that:
• The device did not have a valid inspection report,
• The inspection was not performed within the specified time frame,
• or was performed by a person without the necessary qualifications,
may to deny an insurance claim or reduce the payout accordingly depending on the degree of causation between the violation and the resulting damage. In the case of a fire caused by faulty electrical wiring that has not undergone a valid inspection, this may mean that the company receives no compensation—and must cover the damage from its own funds.
The absence of a valid inspection report is one of the factors that insurance companies routinely verify when investigating an insurance claim.
Criminal Liability — When Fines Are No Longer the Only Issue
Administrative penalties and denied insurance claims are financial consequences. However, if injury or death occurs as a direct result of failing to perform an inspection, criminal law comes into play.
The responsible person—typically a member of the statutory body or a person authorized to ensure safety—may be prosecuted for:
• negligent infliction of bodily injury (Section 148 of the Criminal Code),
• gross negligence resulting in serious bodily injury (Section 147),
• negligent homicide (Section 143).
Criminal liability cannot be delegated to employees or transferred to an audit firm—as we explain in more detail in the article “Who Is Responsible for Audits in a Company?” (revize.intechi.cz/kdo-odpovida-za-revize). The statutory body is responsible for ensuring that audits are conducted—regardless of the company’s internal structure.
Overview of Sanctions — A Quick Summary
The following table summarizes all risk categories in one place—from administrative fines to criminal liability.
| Authority | Region | Type of violation | Possible sanctions | Other Powers |
| SÚIP / OIP | Electrical Installations, Gas Equipment, Pressure Equipment | Missing or Expired Inspection Report | up to 2,000,000 CZK | Prohibition on Operating the Equipment |
| SÚIP / OIP | Electrical Installations, Gas Equipment, Pressure Equipment | Inspection performed by an unauthorized person | up to 2,000,000 CZK | Corrective Actions |
| Fire Department | Fire Protection | Missing fire extinguishers or fire hydrants | up to 1,000,000 CZK | Restrictions on the Use of the Building |
| Fire Department | Fire Protection | Malfunctioning emergency lighting or dampers | up to 1,000,000 CZK | Restrictions on the Use of the Building |
| Insurance Company | All Areas | Damages in the Event of an Invalid Inspection | Reduction or Refusal of Performance | — |
| Court | All Areas | Injury to Health or Life | Criminal Prosecution | — |
The severity of the penalties depends on the seriousness of the violation and the specific circumstances of the case. Shutdown of the facility or restrictions on operations are imposed only when the legal conditions are met, not automatically upon the discovery of every deficiency.
How to Avoid Fines — A System of Inspections Instead of Firefighting
Most fines for missed inspections aren’t the result of malicious intent, but of organizational failures—missed deadlines, lost documentation, and unclear division of responsibilities. The solution isn’t fear of inspections, but a well-functioning system.
The operator of a commercial building needs:
• a list of all equipment subject to mandatory inspections and their due dates,
• a centralized repository of inspection documentation accessible at any time—even during an unannounced labor inspection,
• timely notification of the impending expiration of the inspection report,
•—one partner for all HVAC and fire protection categories.
INTECHI covers electrical installations, gas and pressure equipment, and fire protection—four areas of legal obligations, all from a single provider. After an initial audit, we’ll create an inspection schedule tailored precisely to your facility and continuously monitor the deadlines. All documentation is available online at client area — Valid inspection reports, inspection records, and communications with the technician—all in one place, available at any time, even during unannounced inspections.
You can find a complete overview of our services at revize.intechi.cz/services.
FAQ
Can the SÚIP conduct an inspection without prior notice?
Yes. A labor inspection may take place at any time and without prior notice. The operator is required to grant inspectors access to the premises and to provide all inspection documentation on site.
Can the inspectorate order the facility to cease operations?
Yes, if they determine that the equipment poses an immediate threat to human life, health, or property, or if the conditions set forth in the relevant legal regulations are met. The fact that an inspection has expired does not automatically result in an immediate ban on operation—it depends on the specific circumstances and the extent of the threat.
How high can the fine be for failing to have electrical inspections performed?
The amount of the fine depends on the specific violation, its severity, and whether it is a repeat offense. Act No. 250/2021 Coll. allows for the imposition of a penalty on a legal entity of up to 2,000,000 CZK in certain cases. The exact amount is determined by the inspectorate based on the circumstances of the specific case.
Is there a fine for an inspection performed by an unauthorized person?
Yes. An inspection performed by a person without the required authorization does not meet legal requirements and, for the purposes of the operator’s obligations, is considered as if a proper inspection had not been performed at all.
Can an insurance company deny a claim because of a missed inspection?
Yes, provided there is a demonstrable link between the missing or invalid inspection and the resulting damage. The insurance company may deny the claim or reduce the payout accordingly. This risk is typically included in insurance policies as a condition of compliance with legal regulations.
Documentation in order even before anyone knocks
An inspection comes when you least expect it. And the fine isn’t the biggest problem—that would be restricted operation, a denied insurance claim, or criminal proceedings. All of this can be prevented by doing one thing: keeping your inspections systematically under control.
During the initial consultation, we’ll identify which inspections your property is missing or are about to expire—and we’ll propose a solution before the inspection authority does.
+420 735 861 612 | info@intechi.cz | service.intechi.cz
