Why PAT Test?
The Health and Safety Executive claimed that more then 2000 thousand fires were caused by faulty electrical appliances in any single year. The governing law is there in the interests of employers, employees and tenants of rented accommodation, it is there to protect all users of portable electrical equipment.
PAT testing is not strictly compulsory, but is regarded as the best way of abiding by electrical regulations that exist to protect employees, customers and tenants. As an employer or landlord, without regular PAT testing you could end up in a very serious position if an electrical accident were to happen in your premises where you would be responsible and potentially liable. We all know that portable electrical appliances can become damaged during use and over time, what we need to understand is that this damage could render the appliance dangerous without knowing it. Regular PAT testing and inspection will make sure these faulty items are dealt with at the right times and in the correct fashion.
There have been many cases when failure to comply with the Electrical Regulations have constituted a criminal offence which carries a maximum penalty fine of £5,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment. Letting agents and private landlords could also be sued in Civil Law under the duty of care for failure to ensure the safety of tenants and as a result face similar punishment.
Insurance policies are also a concern. Most insurance companies will ask for evidence of PAT Testing before insuring you. Without the right documentation you may find yourself uninsured and liable for serious risk. PAT Aberdeen will supply you with all of the evidence you need to keep your records up-to-date for any third party who requires such information.
In summary, the main purpose of PAT Testing is to provide ongoing safety for employees or tenants. You need to ensure your day to day environment complies with the legal standards and that appliances are safe and consistently tested on an ongoing basis.
SUGGESTED FREQUENCY OF INSPECTION AND TESTING OF EQUIPMENT| Type of Premises | Type of Equipment Note I | User Checks Note | Class I | Class II Note 4 | ||
| Formal Visual Inspection Note 3 | Combined Inspection and Testing Note 5 | Formal Visual Inspection Note 3 | Combined Inspection and Testing Note 5 | |||
| Industrial including Commercial Kitchens | S IT M P H |
weekly weekly before use before use before use |
None None 1 month 1 month 1 month |
12
months 12 months 12 months 6 months 6 months |
None None 3 months 3 months 3 months |
12
months 12 months 12 months 6 months 6 months |
| Equipment used by the public | S IT M P H |
Note
6+ Note 6+ Note 6+ Note 6+ Note 6+ |
monthly monthly weekly weekly weekly |
12
months 12 months 6 months 6 months 6 months |
3
months 3 months 1 month 1 month 1 month |
12
months 12 months 12 months 12 months 12 months |
| Schools | S IT M P H |
weekly+ weekly+ weekly+ weekly+ before use+ |
None None 4 months 4 months 4 months |
12
months 12 months 12 months 12 months 12 months |
12
months 12 months 4 months 4 months 4 months |
48
months 48 months 48 months 48 months 48 months |
| Hotels | S IT M P H |
None None weekly weekly before use |
24
months 24 months 12 months 12 months 6 months |
48
months 48 months 24 months 24 months 12 months |
24
months 24 months 24 months 24 months 6 months |
None None None None None |
| Offices and Shops | S IT M P H |
None None weekly weekly before use |
24
months 24 months 12 months 12 months 6 months |
48
months 48 months 24 months 24 months 12 months |
24
months 24 months 24 months 24 months 6 months |
None None None None None |
Notes
| 1. |
|
||||||||||
| 2 | User checks are not recorded unless a fault is found. | ||||||||||
| 3 | The formal visual inspection may form part of the combined inspection and tests when they coincide, and must be recorded see 7.2b. | ||||||||||
| 4 | If class of equipment is not known, it must be tested as Class 1. | ||||||||||
| 5 | The results of the combined inspections and tests are recorded see 7.2c | ||||||||||
| 6 | For some equipment such as children's rides a daily check may be necessary. | ||||||||||
| + | supervisor/teacher/member |
This information has been taken from the
Code of Practice for In-Service
Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment as published by
The IEE
