Air quality and combustion plants — periodic checks (Switzerland)
A list of checks and obligations with their cadence, ready to add to your agenda.
For Swiss operators of combustion plants (oil, gas and wood boilers), industrial installations with air emissions, and refrigeration systems or heat pumps using synthetic refrigerants. Covers the periodic combustion check under the LRV/OPair, emission measurements on stationary installations, refrigerant leak testing under ChemRRV/ORRChem and the plant notification duty. Does NOT cover cantonal energy rules for buildings (MuKEn), the fire safety of heating plants, or hydraulic commissioning.
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Ask what is in the manuals, how often the maintenance is due and what it takes to do it.
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- 9 planned checks, the most frequent every 3 months from installation
Planned checks
Informative summary verified on 11/09/2026. It does not replace legal advice: the regulation cited prevails. If you spot an error, report it.
Some checks are only mandatory in certain countries: pick yours and the list follows.
In Italy this product has no planned checks: the ones listed apply to other countries.
In France this product has no planned checks: the ones listed apply to other countries.
In Germany this product has no planned checks: the ones listed apply to other countries.
- 01
Have the gas-fired boiler checked
The periodic emission check of the gas-fired plant is carried out every four years with simplified measuring equipment. Proof: the inspection report filed with the municipality or the central reporting office. Applies to gas-fired plants up to 1,000 kW (municipal responsibility in the Canton of Zurich); above that threshold the canton takes over with shorter intervals.
every 48 months since the last inspectionLegal obligationLRV/OPair (SR 814.318.142.1) Art. 13 und Anhang 3Switzerland onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026 - 02
Notify the refrigeration system to the FOEN within three months
Whoever commissions or decommissions a stationary system holding more than 3 kg of refrigerant must notify the FOEN within three months, stating the date, the holder, the specialist firm, the type, location and cooling capacity of the plant and the type and amount of refrigerant; changes of location, capacity, refrigerant or holder must be reported immediately. Proof: the notification confirmation and the identification number fixed to the plant. Applies to holders of stationary systems, permanent or temporary, including heat pumps — since 1 June 2019 for any refrigerant above 3 kg, national-defence installations excepted; the notification goes through the FOEN portal.
every 3 months from installationLegal obligationChemRRV/ORRChim (SR 814.81) Anhang 2.10 Ziff. 5.1Switzerland onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026 - 03
Repeat the refrigerant circuit leak test every year
After the first test, the leak check must be repeated every year and in any case at every intervention on the refrigerant circuit and at every service. Leaks found must be repaired immediately, followed by a new leak test once the repair is complete. Applies to stationary site-assembled systems holding more than 3 kg of refrigerant; for factory-sealed compact units the cycle is 6 years, then 4 more, then every 2 years.
every 12 months since the last inspectionLegal obligationChemRRV/ORRChim (SR 814.81) Anhang 2.10 Ziff. 3.4 Abs. 1 e 2Switzerland onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026 - 04
Have the wood-fired boiler emissions measured
Periodic emission measurement of the central wood-fired plant according to the FOEN measurement recommendations; single-room stoves are subject only to a visual check. Proof: the measurement report. Applies to central wood-fired boilers (Holzheizkessel), in the Canton of Zurich under municipal responsibility up to 70 kW; the interval is cantonal and not uniform — Zurich requires a measurement every 2 years, Thurgau every 4 — so confirm it with your municipality or canton.
every 24 months since the last inspectionLegal obligationLRV/OPair (SR 814.318.142.1) Art. 13 und Anhang 3Switzerland onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026 - 05
Have the oil-fired boiler checked
The periodic emission check of the oil-fired plant is carried out every two years by the official inspector or by a specialist firm approved by the municipality. Proof: the inspection report filed with the authority. Applies to oil-fired plants; in the Canton of Zurich plants up to 1,000 kW fall under municipal responsibility, larger ones under the canton.
every 24 months since the last inspectionLegal obligationLRV/OPair (SR 814.318.142.1) Art. 13 und Anhang 3Switzerland onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026 - 06
Have the acceptance measurement of the new combustion plant carried out
After commissioning or refurbishment of a combustion plant, the owner has the first measurement carried out by the competent control body within twelve months. Proof: the measurement report (Abnahmeprotokoll) issued by the official inspector. Applies to all new or refurbished stationary combustion plants; the initial check is normally reserved to the municipal official inspector.
every 12 months from installationLegal obligationLRV/OPair (SR 814.318.142.1) Art. 13 Abs. 2Switzerland onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026 - 07
Repeat the emission measurements of the industrial installation
Stationary industrial installations subject to emission limit values must be re-measured by a recognised measuring body, as a rule every three years. Proof: the measurement report submitted to the cantonal environment office. Applies to companies with stationary installations subject to emission limits (coating, surface treatment, foundries, industrial combustion); the exact interval is set case by case in the cantonal decision.
every 36 months since the last inspectionLegal obligationLRV/OPair (SR 814.318.142.1) Art. 13Switzerland onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026 - 08
Carry out the first leak test of the refrigeration system
Site-assembled systems holding more than 3 kg of ozone-depleting or air-stable refrigerant must undergo a first leak test two years after commissioning, performed by a person holding the special permit (Fachbewilligung). Proof: the entry in the maintenance booklet (Wartungsheft). Applies to stationary, site-assembled plant and equipment holding more than 3 kg of such refrigerant; for factory-sealed compact units the first test falls due after 6 years, the second 4 years later, then every 2 years.
every 24 months from installationLegal obligationChemRRV/ORRChim (SR 814.81) Anhang 2.10 Ziff. 3.4 Abs. 1Switzerland onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026 - 09
Check the cantonal rules on heating and emissions
In addition to the federal LRV/OPair, every canton has its own rules on refurbishment duties, replacement of fossil-fuel plants, notification duties and who performs the combustion checks. Review the cantonal environment or energy office and your own municipality once a year. Applies to all holders of combustion plants in Switzerland; capacity thresholds, control models and refurbishment duties differ across the 26 cantons.
continuous check, confirm every 12 monthsRecommendedLRV/OPair (SR 814.318.142.1) Art. 13; kantonale Luftreinhalte- und EnergiegesetzgebungSwitzerland onlySourceverified on 11/09/2026
In Austria this product has no planned checks: the ones listed apply to other countries.
In United Kingdom this product has no planned checks: the ones listed apply to other countries.
In Spain this product has no planned checks: the ones listed apply to other countries.
In Portugal this product has no planned checks: the ones listed apply to other countries.
In United States this product has no planned checks: the ones listed apply to other countries.
In Other country this product has no planned checks: the ones listed apply to other countries.
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