Who is responsible for audits at the company? The CEO, the administrator, or an outside firm?
An expired electrical inspection, a missing fire extinguisher inspection record, or an invalid pressure equipment inspection report— Each of these situations can have an impact on the company serious legal and financial consequences. Yet most business owners don’t know who is specifically responsible for mandatory inspections at their company or what exactly the law requires. Let’s clear this up.
What the Law Says – Legal Obligations and Liability
In practice, there are more mandatory inspections and checks—they vary depending on the type of facility and the applicable regulations. For operators of commercial properties, the two most common categories are: designated technical equipment and fire protection. These are precisely the areas in which INTECHI specializes.
Dedicated Technical Equipment (VTZ)
Obligations regarding building services are governed by Act No. 250/2021 Coll. on occupational safety in connection with the operation of designated technical equipment, as implemented by Government Decree No. 190/2022 Coll. and No. 194/2022 Coll. (electrical equipment), Government Decree No. 191/2022 Coll. (gas equipment), and Government Decree No. 192/2022 Coll. (pressure equipment). The operator is required to ensure that these facilities undergo regular inspections, reviews, and tests.
The VTZ category covered by INTECHI includes:
- electrical equipment including electrical equipment designed to protect against the effects of atmospheric and static electricity, provided that it is subject to the relevant regulations,
- pressure equipment (boilers, pressure vessels),
- gas equipment (gas lines, appliances).
Fire Protection
The second group of obligations is governed by Act No. 133/1985 Coll. the Fire Protection Act and Implementing Decree No. 246/2001 Coll. These regulations establish the obligation to perform prescribed inspections, tests, and maintenance of fire protection equipment—in particular fire extinguishers, fire water mains, fire hydrants, emergency lighting, if they are part of a building’s fire safety system, and other components of the fire safety system. These inspections are not part of the VTZ system, but are equally binding and is governed by separate laws.
Liability of the Statutory Body
In the case of a legal entity, responsibility for operational safety lies directly with the company’s statutory body — In the case of a limited liability company (s.r.o.), this refers to the managing director; in the case of a joint-stock company, it refers to the board of directors. The statutory body is responsible for fulfilling all legal obligations—including inspections of technical equipment and fire safety inspections.
If an accident, fire, or other emergency occurs due to a failure to conduct an inspection, the statutory body may be held personally liable for a breach of its duties in managing the company, whereby Administrative penalties are generally imposed on an operator or a legal entity. In addition, in cases of serious injury or danger to life, there is also a risk of criminal liability the specific persons responsible and liability for damages to the injured parties and the insurance company.
A statutory body cannot avoid liability by claiming that it “did not know about it.”” — The legal obligation exists regardless of the company’s internal organization.
The Role of a Building Manager or Operations Coordinator
In practice, the task of scheduling inspections is typically delegated to an internal coordinator, a technical administrator, or an operations manager. This delegation is legitimate and practical—but it comes with one strict rule.
You can delegate tasks, but not responsibility. If the designated person neglects these duties, liability falls back on the operator and, ultimately, on the statutory body. The internal coordinator therefore needs an overview of all facilities subject to statutory inspections and fire safety audits, a system for tracking the validity dates of inspection reports, and access to certified audit firm.
Why an in-house technician isn’t enough — and what requirements an inspection technician must meet by law
This is where many companies run into a major obstacle. By law, inspections of mechanical and electrical systems may only be performed by individuals with the relevant professional qualifications pursuant to Act No. 250/2021 Coll. and the relevant implementing regulations, with a valid certificate issued by Technical Inspection Authority of the Czech Republic (TIČR), if required by law. Fire safety inspections must then be performed by a professionally qualified person or a fire safety technician in accordance with Act No. 133/1985 Coll. If an employee does not meet the legal requirements for an inspection technician or a professionally qualified person, they may not perform the inspection.
Furthermore, when arranging mandatory building inspections across multiple branches, companies with multiple locations benefit from a partner with nationwide coverage that can handle both areas—building services and fire safety.
A contractual relationship with an audit firm also provides the operator with documentation protection — In the event of an inspection by the State Labor Inspection Authority (SÚIP), the Fire and Rescue Service (HZS), or an insurance company, you have valid inspection reports and inspection records prepared by an authorized person on hand.
Overview of Legal Inspection Deadlines by Equipment Type
The timeframes listed above represent the most common cases. The specific inspection interval always depends on the type of equipment, how it is operated, and the applicable legal regulations.
Gas Equipment
| Equipment | Deadline |
| Technical Inspection of Low-Pressure Boiler Rooms | Once a year |
| Operational Inspection of Gas Equipment | in accordance with the relevant technical regulations |
| Gas Appliance Service (Boilers, Water Heaters) | Once a year |
| Inspection and Cleaning of Flue Gas Ducts | in accordance with regulations |
Pressure Equipment
| Equipment | Deadline |
| Operational Inspection of Pressure Equipment | Once a year |
| Internal Inspection and Leak Test | every 5 years |
| Pressure Test | every 10 years |
Fire Protection
| Equipment | Deadline |
| Fire Extinguishers | Once a year |
| Fire Water Mains and Hydrants | Once a year |
| Pressure Testing of Fire Hydrant Hoses | every 5 years |
| Fire Dampers and Seals | in accordance with regulations |
| Emergency Lighting | Once a year |
Electrical Equipment — Act No. 250/2021 Coll.
| Equipment | Deadline |
| Regular Inspection of Electrical Wiring | depending on the type of structure, external factors, and applicable standards |
| Regular Inspection of Electrical Appliances | depending on the type of appliance and how it is used |
| Regular Inspection of Lightning Protection (Lightning Rod) | in accordance with the ČSN EN 62305 standard |
For electrical equipment and lightning protection, the timeframe depends on the type of environment and the equipment class—when we work with you, we provide a precise inspection schedule tailored specifically to your facility.
What happens if an audit is missing or invalid?
Penalties imposed by the Labor Inspectorate or the Fire Department. For violations of these obligations, the State Labor Inspection Office (SÚIP) or the Fire and Rescue Service may impose a fine up to the amount specified by the relevant laws and regulations. The amount of the fine depends on the specific violation.
Problems with insurance claims. The insurance company may deny a claim or reduce the payout accordingly if there is a connection between the loss and a breach of obligations.
Criminal Liability. In the event of serious injury or loss of life, the person responsible may face criminal prosecution.
Service interruption. The State Labor Inspection Authority (SÚIP) or the Fire and Rescue Service (HZS) may order the immediate shutdown of equipment or suspension of operations—in facilities such as warehouses, retail stores, or offices, this results in direct economic losses.
How INTECHI Handles It
Our certified inspection technicians operate throughout the Czech Republic and cover the two most common areas of legal obligations for commercial properties — HVAC Inspection (electrical equipment and lightning protection, gas and pressure equipment) and fire safety inspections (fire extinguishers, fire hydrants, fire dampers, emergency lighting). After the initial audit, we’ll create an inspection schedule tailored specifically to your facility, fix any identified defects without the need to coordinate with another contractor, and manage all documentation through an online system client areas — minutes, deadlines, and communications—all in one place.
FAQ
Who is legally required to arrange for inspections at the company?
Facility operator — in the case of a legal entity, the company’s statutory body. Authority may be delegated to another person, but responsibility remains with the statutory body.
Are fire extinguishers part of the building services equipment?
No. Fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment are not governed by Act No. 250/2021 Coll. on Technical Equipment, but by Act No. 133/1985 Coll. on Fire Protection and Decree No. 246/2001 Coll. However, both sets of obligations are binding for operators of commercial buildings.
Can an employee of the company perform the audit?
Yes, provided that they meet the legal requirements for professional competence for that type of inspection and are authorized to perform it under the relevant laws and regulations.
Who pays for the inspections—the landlord or the tenant?
It depends on who operates the facility and how the responsibilities are outlined in the lease agreement. Ownership of the facility and responsibility for its operation may not be the same. We recommend clearly defining this responsibility in the agreement.
What are the consequences for a company that does not have valid inspection reports?
The State Labor Inspection Authority (SÚIP) or the Fire and Rescue Service (HZS) may impose a substantial fine; an insurance company may refuse to pay or reduce insurance benefits; and the statutory body may also face criminal liability and an order to suspend operations.
No matter when the inspection comes—you’ll be ready
We’ll assess the condition of your HVAC systems and fire protection equipment, draw up an inspection schedule, and handle all the administrative tasks. No paperwork, no missed deadlines, no surprises.
Contact Us and schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
