Legal Stuff

The Portable Appliance Testing rules are very straightforward as detailed in the 1989 Electricity at Work Regulations, that: “All [electrical] systems shall at all times be of such construction as to prevent, so far as reasonably practical, such danger.” Thus, it only makes sense to have any organization perform testing on appliances on a consistent basis.

For all types of organizations, from a small office to a large corporation an outside testing company is the best course of action, because a competent and certified PAT Testing professional will best be able to observe the appliances and look for an obvious signs of wear.

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Although the law does not specifically state how often PAT Testing should be performed, it is reasonable to at least do an observational check yearly. This will include checking and testing for frayed wires, the casing around the appliance appearing to be damaged or coming undone, as well as plugs that appear to be cracked or damaged. From there, the PAT Testing professional will be able to recommend the next course of action, repair the appliance if possible, or provide guidance on the next steps for the ensuring all appliances are safe.

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A qualified PAT Testing specialist will be able to perform tests and checks on a variety of appliances using PAT testers that will be able to show if the appliance has passed or failed testing including earth continuity, lead polarity, and insulation resistance, among others for more advanced testers. This is a relatively quick and easy process, generally showing if the appliance passed or failed and it should not take very long to determine how safe your portable appliances are. Once each appliance completes the test, they will be labelled with a safety sticker with a barcode for ease of tracking in the future
 

Emergency Lighting Servicing Recommendations

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Under the code of practice for emergency lighting (BS 5266), lighting must be regularly serviced and maintained to ensure it is in fully working order.

A service must be carried out annually, however we recommend this is done every 6 months and is carried out alongside your fire alarm service. This involves a 3 hour duration test which tests the functionality of the emergency lighting.
 

PAT Testing Frequency

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PAT testing is required by employers, landlords and self-employed to ensure safety of portable appliances. The Health & Safety Executive provides no set rule on PAT testing frequency, only that testing should be done regularly to ensure preventative maintenance. The reason that there is no set frequency is because different situations arise that call for different measures.

There are a number of factors that affect PAT testing frequency and it is up to each individual to determine when testing should be carried out.

In order to determine how often you should have your appliances tested, you should bear in mind a few different factors:

Equipment that is used more should be tested more frequently. This equipment is likely to suffer less damage than that used regularly.

If people using equipment report any damages as they become noticeable, there is less chance of a major hazard. If equipment regularly receives damage or abuse that is not reported then inspections and testing are required more frequently.

The type of equipment in question is a major factor in determining PAT testing frequency. Hand held appliances are more likely to become damaged than those that are stationary. Class 1 appliances carry the greatest risk of danger and should be tested more often.

Although there are no requirements for PAT testing frequency, there are recommendations:

Offices, Shops and Hotels:

– Class 1 equipment including stationary and IT equipment should be tested every 48 months. Movable equipment such as extension leads and portable equipment should be tested every 24 months. Handheld equipment should be tested every 12 months.

Schools:

- All Class 1 equipment in schools should be PAT tested every 12 months.

- Class 2 equipment should be tested every 48 months.

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Public Use Equipment:

- Stationary and IT equipment such as computers should be tested every 12 months. Movable, Portable and Handheld equipment falling into

- Class 2 should be tested every 12 months. Movable, Portable and Handheld equipment falling into Class 1 should be tested every 6 months.

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Construction – All 110V equipment used on construction sites should be tested every 3 months.

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Industrial – All industrial sites, including commercial kitchens should have Portable and Handheld equipment tested every 6 months. Stationary, IT and Movable equipment should be tested every 12 months.

PAT Testing Regulations

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Conforming to PAT testing regulations will help you to ensure that the portable appliances in your business are safe and help you to avoid violations. PAT testing legislation was put into effect to ensure that all companies conform to the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974, Electricity at Work Regulations of 1989, Provision and Use of Work Equipment regulations of 1998 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work regulations of 1999.

The current law requires that all employers maintain portable appliances and ensure their safety. This is done through testing of the appliances to safeguard against damage and to make certain that these items perform properly.

PAT testing law requires that all landlords, employers and even self-employed individuals make sure that their portable electrical appliances are safe and are suitable and used for the purposes intended. These appliances should always be maintained properly and remain in good working order.

The guidelines are designed to make certain that this equipment is kept protected and is preserved through regular maintenance as well as inspections and periodic testing. Damage and fault can occur with all electrical equipment use which makes it essential that these items are tested regularly for safety.

PAT testing is done to ensure that all electrical equipment that is classified as “portable” is deemed safe for use. The legislation deems that any competent person can perform it by using a PAT instrument or tester. The visual examination of each appliance in addition to the actual PAT test should be performed only by someone who is deemed competent.

According to PAT testing legislation, a competent person is someone who has experience or knowledge of being able to check and test appliances for safety purposes. Those with knowledge of electricity in general as well as anyone who has experience in electrical work can be deemed capable.

It is imperative that employers, landlords and self-employed individuals follow the rules to ensure that their workplaces are safe. Testing can be done by any number of PAT testing companies or individuals can obtain certification to perform their own testing by successfully completing coursework in this field.