Signalering, Not Servicing: What Our Article 6 Disclaimer Means for Your Maintenance Plan
If you book an inspection, you want clarity: What was found, what matters now, and what should happen next? That is exactly why understanding Signalering, Not Servicing is so important. At Wassenaar Inspecties, inspection reports are designed to identify and signal the condition of installations and equipment at the time of inspection. They are not a maintenance contract, a repair service, or a guarantee that every possible issue has been captured forever.
This distinction matters for every business owner, facility manager, and property stakeholder responsible for electrical safety and continuity. In this article, you will learn what the Article 6 disclaimer means in practice, why inspection findings have a signalling character, and how to turn the results into a practical maintenance plan.
What does Signalering, Not Servicing mean?
Signalering, Not Servicing means that an inspection report identifies the state of affairs on the date the work was carried out. The report and any advice are prepared to the best of knowledge, but they have a signalling character.
In practical terms, this means:
- The inspection highlights visible or measurable issues found during the inspection.
- The report helps you understand safety and technical quality risks.
- The inspection does not replace maintenance, repairs, or ongoing asset management.
- The report does not guarantee completeness.
- The report does not transfer responsibility for follow-up actions away from the asset owner or operator.
That is why the phrase matters so much in a maintenance plan. An inspection tells you where to look and what to prioritize. Your maintenance plan determines what gets fixed, when, and by whom.
What Article 6 means in plain English
Article 6 states that reports and advice reflect the situation as known on the date of the work and that they are signalling in nature. It also states that there is no guarantee of completeness and no responsibility for unexpected errors or imperfections in the reports and advice.
Direct answer: what should clients take from this?
Clients should treat an inspection report as a decision-making tool, not as the final step in risk control.
That means you should:
- Read the report promptly.
- Assess the seriousness of findings.
- Arrange any required corrective work through your own installer or another external specialist.
- Document what was repaired.
- Build the findings into your ongoing maintenance and compliance planning.
Why an inspection report is not the same as maintenance
An inspection and a maintenance service have different purposes.
Inspection focuses on assessment
Wassenaar Inspecties checks the technical quality and safety of electrical installations and systems. The goal is to determine whether installations meet the relevant requirements and to identify issues that require attention.
For businesses, that creates an important moment of insight. You gain an independent view of the condition of your installation, supported by experienced inspectors using modern equipment and software.
Maintenance focuses on correction and prevention
Maintenance begins after findings are known. It includes actions such as:
- Repairing defects
- Replacing worn components
- Improving accessibility
- Adjusting installations after changes in use
- Planning periodic checks and follow-up work
An inspection can trigger maintenance, but it does not perform that maintenance.
Why independence matters
One of the strengths of the Wassenaar Inspecties working method is the independent inspection approach. If repairs are needed after the inspection, your own installer handles them. Wassenaar Inspecties does not perform the repair work.
That matters because it supports objectivity. The inspection outcome is not tied to repair revenue. As the company states clearly: inspecting is the business.
For clients, this creates a cleaner division of responsibilities:
- Wassenaar Inspecties inspects and reports.
- Your installer or external repair company performs corrective work.
- You as the client decide how findings are prioritized in your maintenance plan.
What you can expect before, during, and after an inspection
Understanding the inspection process makes the signalling role of the report easier to apply.
Before the inspection
Before the inspection takes place, the client receives an Inspectierapport. This form must be completed and signed so permission is in place to work at the location and in the fusebox.
For a SCOPE 12 inspection, it is also helpful to provide, if possible:
- Legplan
- Stringplan
- Ballastplan
- Constructieberekening
Wassenaar Inspecties also offers a free and non-binding explanation of which inspection should be carried out according to the insurer and how the inspection works.
During the inspection
During the inspection, clients are advised not to interfere with the inspector’s work. The fusebox should also not be blocked from entry.
The inspection itself may involve different tools depending on the inspection type:
- SCOPE 8: FLUKE 1664 and MEGGER MFT-X1
- SCOPE 10: the same tools as SCOPE 8, plus thermal imaging with a FLIR E60 camera or a HIKMICRO V2 camera
- SCOPE 12: HT INSTRUMENTS PV-CHECKS and an EAZYPV
All instruments are calibrated on time.
After the inspection
After the inspection, clients receive a digital report within a week.
If there is a serious finding, the client is expected to resolve the issue through an external company. After that, the Herstelverklaring should be sent back so an inspector can assess whether the repairs were carried out correctly.
This is where Signalering, Not Servicing becomes operational. The inspection report tells you what demands action. Your maintenance process makes sure that action actually happens.
How to use a signalling report in your maintenance plan
The most effective way to work with Article 6 is to build the report into a structured follow-up process.
1. Separate findings by urgency
Create three categories:
- Immediate action required for serious findings
- Short-term corrective actions for issues that should be scheduled quickly
- Planned improvements for lower-priority items that still deserve attention
This helps you avoid two common mistakes: overreacting to minor points and underreacting to critical ones.
2. Assign ownership internally
Every finding needs an owner. Depending on your organisation, that may be:
- A facility manager
- A technical manager
- An operations lead
- An external installer coordinated by your team
A signalling report is only useful if someone is accountable for turning the findings into action.
3. Match findings to repair scope
Inspection language and maintenance language are related, but not identical. Your repair partner should review the findings and translate them into a clear scope of work.
That usually includes:
- What needs to be repaired
- Which parts or systems are affected
- What access or downtime is required
- How completion will be documented
4. Keep evidence of follow-up
If serious issues are repaired, make sure your documentation is complete. The Herstelverklaring is part of that process.
Good documentation helps you:
- Track what was resolved
- Demonstrate responsible follow-up
- Prepare for future inspections
- Maintain internal oversight across locations
5. Review recurring patterns
If you manage multiple sites, inspection findings can reveal repeat issues across your portfolio. That is especially relevant for organisations with many branches, retail sites, gyms, offices, or hospitality locations.
Wassenaar Inspecties has conducted inspections at locations such as the Courthouse of Breda, the municipalities of Breda, Drechstede, Dordrecht Bergen op Zoom and Steenbergen, as well as The Dutch Bank. The company also routinely inspects large chains including New York Pizza, Lidl, Eazie, Basic Fit, Bagels & Beans, Cotti Coffee and Bakker Bart.
For multi-site operators, that makes a portfolio view useful. A signalling report from one location may point to a broader maintenance issue worth checking elsewhere.
A simple framework: inspection versus maintenance
| Function | Inspection | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Identify and signal condition and risks | Repair, correct, and prevent problems |
| Timing | Snapshot on the date of work | Ongoing process |
| Output | Digital report | Completed repairs and maintenance records |
| Responsibility | Inspector assesses and reports | Client and repair partner execute follow-up |
| Nature | Independent and signalling | Operational and corrective |
Practical tips for getting more value from your inspection
To make Signalering, Not Servicing work in your favour, follow these practical steps.
Before the inspector arrives
- Complete and sign the Inspectierapport promptly.
- Gather relevant documents, especially for SCOPE 12.
- Make sure the fusebox is accessible.
- Inform staff that the inspector should be able to work without interference.
When planning timelines
- Factor in that wait time depends on the size of the installation.
- For installations with 1 or 2 fuseboxes, the estimated waiting time is around 3 weeks.
- Leave room after the inspection for repairs, documentation, and any re-assessment needs.
When budgeting
- Build separate budget lines for inspection and corrective maintenance.
- Remember that a fixed amount is agreed for the inspection, helping avoid surprises afterward.
- Plan for repair costs independently, since inspection and repair are separate activities.
When choosing internal processes
- Use the report as part of your compliance and safety workflow.
- Assign a deadline to every serious finding.
- Keep a central register of completed repairs and submitted Herstelverklaringen.
Why this approach supports better risk management
A signalling-based inspection model supports good risk management because it preserves clarity.
The inspector’s role is to assess, measure, and report. The client’s role is to act on that information. The repair company’s role is to carry out the technical work. When these roles stay clear, decisions are easier to make and responsibilities are easier to track.
This is particularly important in electrical environments, where safety, operational continuity, and insurer expectations often intersect. A well-handled inspection process can help organisations understand what needs attention and act before a small issue becomes a larger operational or safety problem.
Related inspection topics to explore
If you are planning a broader review of your electrical safety responsibilities, it is also useful to look at related topics such as:
- NEN 1010 inspections
- SCIOS Scope 8 inspections
- SCIOS Scope 10 inspections
- Inspection preparation and reporting procedures
These topics can help you connect one inspection result to a wider maintenance and compliance strategy.
Support and contact expectations
Wassenaar Inspecties is open Monday to Friday, from 09:00-17:00 and is available to help with questions about its services and to guide clients through the inspection process.
The company works with experienced inspectors, modern equipment and software, and a straightforward approach summed up clearly: Afspraak is afspraak.
Inspectors must have MBO 4 Elektrotechniek as a minimum education level, along with the relevant Scope 8, 10 or 12 certificate. They also go through a thorough audit once every three years to test their aptitude.
Conclusion: use the report as a starting point, not the finish line
The core message of Signalering, Not Servicing is simple: an inspection report is a professional signal, not a maintenance guarantee. It shows the condition of your installation on the date of inspection, highlights issues that matter, and gives you the basis for smart follow-up.
The strongest maintenance plans treat the inspection report as the beginning of action. They turn findings into priorities, repairs, documentation, and ongoing oversight.
If you want a clear, independent inspection process with a fixed price agreement, digital reporting within a week, and guidance on which inspection fits your situation, contact Wassenaar Inspecties to discuss your next inspection and the best way to prepare for it.