What is PAT Testing?
PAT Testing is the examination of electrical appliances to ensure they are safe to use
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require that any electrical equipment that has the potential to cause injury is maintained in a safe condition and The Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) places such an obligation in the following circumstances:
- Where appliances are used by employees
- Where the public may use appliances in establishments such as hospitals, schools, colleges, hotels, shops etc.
- Where appliances are supplied or hired
- Where appliances are repaired
The level of inspection and testing required is dependent upon the risk of the appliance becoming faulty, which in turn is dependent upon the type of appliance, the nature of its use and the environment in which it is used.
PAT Testing Frequency
How often do my appliances need PAT Testing?
The frequency in which your appliances need PAT Testing will depend on what the appliance is, how it’s used, how often it’s used, and what industry you’re in.
If you’re unsure of how often your appliances need testing, get in touch with our customer service team today. We can also provide free, helpful reminders for when your next PAT tests are due.
| Industry / Sector | Recommended Frequency |
|---|---|
| Construction sites | Every 3 months |
| Industrial equipment accessed by the public, Schools or Care Homes | Every year |
| Offices, shops, Hotels (equipment used by staff) | Every 2 years |
We can help you comply with your legal obligations around electrical safety in the workplace, and ensure you are compliant with all UK workplace safety regulations – at all times. Our friendly, certified professionals ensure every PAT Test is carried out in accordance with IET’s Code of Practice, so you can sleep safe in the knowledge that you’re meeting the latest industry standards.
We’ve answered some common PAT Testing questions below. If you’ve got any questions specific to your business, simply call our service team who will be happy to help.
What is a portable electrical appliance?
A portable electrical appliance is any electrical appliance that’s either moved when in use, or can easily be moved from one place to another – a kettle, toaster, power tool, or vacuum cleaner, for example. Larger items, such as printers and photocopiers, are also included.
What happens if an item fails PAT Testing?
If an item fails its PAT Test it means it’s unsafe for use in its current condition. The next steps will depend on the reason the item failed its PAT Test. Small repairs – such as fuse replacements or loose wiring – can be corrected on the spot, but larger repairs would require further action.
Is PAT Testing disruptive?
No, PAT Testing can be performed with minimal disruption. For example, in the case of an office environment, each PC would need to be shut down for between 5 and 10 minutes in turn, for each test to be carried out – the perfect opportunity to get a brew round in! Server rooms, however, would need to be shut down to be tested, which is when our out of hours service comes in useful.
If you would prefer PAT Testing to be performed outside of your business’ normal operating hours, we provide an out of hours service at no extra cost from 5pm Monday to Friday or any time during Saturday.
How can we be sure every appliance has been tested?
We’ve built procedures into our testing process that ensures a full PAT Test is carried out on all equipment, and that the equipment is unplugged and checked correctly.
Your portable appliances will also be tagged and colour coded for easy identification.
