ISU (fire safety) inspections can lead to fines and, in some situations, measures that affect operations (including restrictions or stop-activity measures). This service is for operators, managers and property owners who received an ISU contravention report (proces-verbal) and need a structured court challenge focused on the legal basis, the factual findings and the evidence that can be produced.
Note: The information is general and does not replace legal advice. Facts, documents and timeline matter.
When you may need this
- You received an ISU contravention report with a fire-safety fine and you want to challenge it within the legal deadline.
- The inspection resulted in measures that restrict or stop activity, and you need a court review of legality and proportionality.
- The report claims missing aviz/autorizație or non-compliance with requirements, but the factual context is incomplete.
- The inspector’s findings do not match the technical documentation or the actual configuration of the premises.
- You need to clarify which obligations apply to your category of construction/amenagement and at what date.
- There were procedural issues (unclear description of facts, missing mandatory elements, competence questions).
- You want a plan that coordinates legal steps with practical compliance actions (without improvised filings).
What we do, step by step
- Deadline check: confirm the service date of the ISU report and calculate the court filing window.
- Act review: analyse the report, annexes and the exact legal provisions and technical requirements invoked.
- Technical file mapping: match the inspection findings to documentation (plans, scenarios, permits, contracts, logs).
- Defects mapping: check mandatory elements, competence, factual description and evidence references.
- Evidence plan: identify what documents, photos and expert evidence may be relevant in court.
- Draft and file the contraventional complaint with structured reasoning and exhibits.
- Representation: manage hearings and procedural steps until a final decision, while aligning with compliance actions.
Documents / information useful for a first review
| Document | Why it matters | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ISU contravention report (proces-verbal) + annexes | Defines allegations, legal basis, sanctions and measures | Include annex lists, photos, measurements and any statements |
| Proof of communication/service | Used to calculate the challenge deadline | Keep envelopes, delivery confirmations and registry entries |
| Fire-safety documentation (scenariu, plans, technical memos) | Shows technical compliance context and the designed safety measures | Provide the latest version and any stamped copies |
| Aviz/autorizație documents or proof of filing | Central for authorisation-related allegations | Include receipts, registry numbers, correspondence with ISU |
| Service contracts and logs (alarms, extinguishers, emergency lighting) | Supports operational compliance and maintenance proof | Bring inspection/maintenance reports and invoices |
| Photos, CCTV extracts, site notes | Can confirm configuration, signage, access routes and factual claims | Preserve originals and metadata where possible |
Risks and common mistakes
- Missing the deadline because the service date is not documented and tracked.
- Confusing “aviz” with “autorizație” and applying the wrong compliance steps to the wrong issue.
- Using generic technical explanations that do not match the premises and the inspection findings.
- Submitting incomplete files that omit annexes, photos or the technical basis required to rebut findings.
- Not preserving the inspection context (photos, signage, access configuration) and trying to recreate it later.
- Ignoring the category-of-construction rules that determine whether authorisation is required.
- Focusing only on the amount of the fine instead of legality, proof and proportionality of measures.
FAQ
What is the usual deadline to challenge an ISU contravention report?
Under the general contraventional framework, the court complaint is typically filed within 15 days from the date the report is served. Always confirm the exact service date and the legal act indicated in the report.
Can stop-activity measures be challenged together with the fine?
In practice, the challenge targets the contravention report and the measures included in it, but the strategy depends on how the act is drafted and what legal basis is invoked. Evidence on proportionality and factual context is often important.
Does filing the complaint suspend enforcement?
In the general framework, filing the contraventional complaint suspends enforcement. Separately, compliance deadlines and operational restrictions can still require a practical plan, so the legal steps should be coordinated with technical measures.
What is the role of technical documentation in court?
Fire-safety documentation (plans, scenarios, maintenance logs) can show whether the inspector’s findings match the premises and the applicable requirements. In some cases, expert evidence may be useful if the dispute is technical.
If authorisation is missing, can you still challenge the report?
Yes, a challenge can still be relevant where the category-of-construction rules are misapplied, the factual findings are wrong, or procedural defects exist. The practical approach is to separate (1) the legality of the sanctioning act and (2) the compliance steps needed going forward.
Contact
Related internal links
Administrative Law & Urban Planning (services)
Legal fees (hourly / fixed / hybrid)
Law Office Services (all practice areas)
Sources
- OG no. 2/2001 on the general contraventional framework (Portal Legislativ)
- Law no. 307/2006 on fire protection (Portal Legislativ)
- Government Decision no. 571/2016 on categories subject to fire-safety aviz/autorizație (Portal Legislativ)
- MAI Order no. 180/2022 on methodological norms for fire-safety avizare/autorizare (Portal Legislativ)
- MAI Hub: Aviz/Autorizație de securitate la incendiu (hub.mai.gov.ro)
- IGSU / ISU guidance page on fire-safety avizare/autorizare (igsu.ro)