DE · Expiry & renewal tracking
Keep track of explosion protection inspection deadlines
In Germany, installations in hazardous areas are inspected for explosion safety at least every six years, Ex equipment every three years, and ventilation and gas warning devices yearly (BetrSichV Annex 2, Section 3, Nos. 5.1 to 5.3). The employer must ensure this; a test is on time up to two months after the due date.
A hazardous area is an area in which a hazardous explosive atmosphere can occur (Section 2(14) of the German Hazardous Substances Ordinance, GefStoffV). Installations in such areas are all equipment relevant to explosion protection, including connecting elements, together with the building parts relevant to explosion protection (Annex 2 Section 3 no. 2 of the Industrial Safety Ordinance, BetrSichV). The employer ensures that installations subject to monitoring are inspected before commissioning, after changes requiring inspection and at recurring intervals as set out in Annex 2 (Sections 15 and 16 BetrSichV).
The installation as a whole is inspected for explosion safety at least every six years, taking into account the explosion protection document and the zone classification (no. 5.1). Equipment, protective systems and safety, control and regulating devices within the meaning of Directive 2014/34/EU are inspected with their connecting devices at least every three years (no. 5.2), and ventilation systems, gas warning devices and inerting devices every year (no. 5.3). The inspections under nos. 5.2 and 5.3 may be dropped if the employer has set out an equivalent maintenance concept in the documented risk assessment (no. 5.4).
The due date is given as month and year, and the next period starts from the due date of the last inspection. An inspection counts as on time if it is carried out no later than two months after the due date (Section 14(5) and Section 16(3) BetrSichV). Where the interval is longer than two years, an early inspection only restarts the period from the month it was done if it took place more than two months before the due date.
At a glance
| Inspection | Interval | Who inspects |
|---|---|---|
| Installation in a hazardous area, for explosion safety (no. 5.1) | At least every 6 years | Approved inspection body; except for installations under Section 18(1) nos. 3 to 7, also a competent person under no. 3.3 |
| Equipment, protective systems, safety, control and regulating devices under Directive 2014/34/EU (no. 5.2) | At least every 3 years | Competent person under no. 3.1 |
| Ventilation systems, gas warning devices, inerting devices (no. 5.3) | Every year | Competent person under no. 3.1 |
| Before first commissioning and after changes requiring inspection (no. 4.1) | Before (re)commissioning | Approved inspection body; except for installations under Section 18(1) nos. 3 to 7, also a competent person under no. 3.3 |
| After repair of a part on which explosion protection depends (no. 4.2) | Before recommissioning | Competent person with official recognition (no. 3.2), or testing and confirmation by the manufacturer |
For installations under Section 18(1), first sentence, nos. 3 to 7 BetrSichV (gas filling stations, storage facilities and filling points for flammable liquids, fuel stations, airfield refuelling facilities), the inspection also checks that the required fire protection measures are in place (nos. 4.1 and 5.1).
Who is responsible?
The employer ensures that the installations are inspected (Section 16(1) BetrSichV). The employer has the result recorded and, where an approved inspection body inspects, requests an inspection certificate from it. Records and certificates state, among other things, the dates of the next recurring inspections and are kept at the site for as long as the installation is in use (Section 17(1)).
If the deadline passes
Anyone who, contrary to Section 16(1) in conjunction with Annex 2 Section 3 nos. 5.1, 5.2 or 5.3, fails to ensure that an installation subject to monitoring is inspected commits an administrative offence (Section 22(2) no. 7 BetrSichV). Equipment that is out of service on the due date may only be put back into service after the inspection (Section 14(5)).
When was the first recurring inspection due?
The inspection under no. 5.1 is first due six years after the inspection before first commissioning, and the inspection under no. 5.2 three years after the inspection before commissioning. For installations first commissioned before 1 June 2012, the inspection under no. 5.1 had to be carried out by 1 June 2018 at the latest (Section 24(4) BetrSichV).
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add an entry for the six-year inspection of each installation in a hazardous area and enter the due date shown on the last inspection certificate.
- Add separate entries for the three-year inspection of Ex devices and the annual inspection of ventilation, gas warning and inerting devices, unless a maintenance concept under no. 5.4 replaces them.
- Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before the date and on the day itself.
- The inspection body can upload the certificate through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account.
- Assign a responsible person, such as the plant manager; emails arrive in each recipient's language. If a date passes, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
Frequently asked questions
- How often must an installation in a hazardous area be inspected?
- The installation as a whole at least every six years (no. 5.1), Ex equipment, protective systems and safety devices at least every three years (no. 5.2), and ventilation, gas warning and inerting devices every year (no. 5.3 of Annex 2 Section 3 BetrSichV).
- Who may carry out the six-year inspection?
- An approved inspection body. Except for installations under Section 18(1), first sentence, nos. 3 to 7, a competent person with the qualifications under no. 3.3 may also inspect (no. 5.1; Section 16(4) and Section 15(3) BetrSichV).
- Can the three-year and annual inspections be dropped?
- Yes, if the employer has set out a maintenance concept in the documented risk assessment that equally ensures a safe condition. Its suitability is assessed in the inspection under no. 4.1, and the work carried out is documented and shown to the authority on request (no. 5.4).
- Is an inspection shortly after the due date still on time?
- Yes, if it is carried out no later than two months after the due date (Section 14(5) in conjunction with Section 16(3) BetrSichV).
Sources
- Betriebssicherheitsverordnung (BetrSichV) Anhang 2 Abschnitt 3: Explosionsgefährdungen
- BetrSichV § 16 Wiederkehrende Prüfung
- BetrSichV § 15 Prüfung vor Inbetriebnahme und vor Wiederinbetriebnahme nach prüfpflichtigen Änderungen
- BetrSichV § 14 Prüfung von Arbeitsmitteln (Abs. 5: Fälligkeit und Fristberechnung)
- BetrSichV §§ 17, 18, 22 und 24 (Prüfaufzeichnungen, Erlaubnispflicht, Ordnungswidrigkeiten, Übergangsvorschriften)
- Gefahrstoffverordnung (GefStoffV) § 2 Abs. 14: explosionsgefährdeter Bereich
Last checked: Oct 1, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.
Made for explosion protection inspection (BetrSichV) (Germany)
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Reminders on time
Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each explosion protection inspection (BetrSichV) (Germany) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.
Assign an owner
Give each explosion protection inspection (BetrSichV) (Germany) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.