Who
needs Portable Appliance
(PAT) testing?
|
| The
following groups of people
have a duty of care to
ensure the electrical
equipment they provide is
maintained in a safe
condition and is suitable
for its purpose in order to
protect all persons using
the premises: |
| • |
employers |
| • |
the self-employed |
| • |
letting agents, estate
agents and private landlords
who let residential
furnished accommodation |
| The
following acts and
regulations specify how this
is to be carried out: |
|
• |
The Health &
Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 |
|
• |
The
Management of Health &
Safety at Work Regulations
1999 |
|
• |
The
Provision and Use of Work
Equipment Regulations (PUWER)
1998 |
|
• |
The
Electricity at Work
Regulations 1989 |
|
|
for more
information see
legal
requirements page |
|
 |
|
|
Which
items should be PAT tested?
|
| The Code of
Practice for In-service
Inspection and Testing of
Electrical Equipment gives
detailed specifications but
the following is a selection
of electrical appliances
that need PAT testing: |
| Kettle,
microwave, toaster, food
mixer, lamp, vacuum cleaner,
fan heater, electric fire,
moveable air conditioning
unit, hair dryer, drill,
electric screwdriver,
soldering iron,
refrigerator, washing
machine, bathroom heater,
heated towel rail, electric
cooker, computer, computer
monitor, printer, plotter,
shredder, mail processing
machine, electric
typewriter, photocopier,
power supply and extension
lead. |
| As a very
general statement most
electrical items with a plug
need PAT testing, but it is
not possible or practical to
provide an exhaustive list. |
|
|
|
|
How
often should my
appliances be PAT testing?
|
| How often an
appliance needs to be tested
really depends on what it is
and the environment in which
it is used. |
| The
Institute of Electrical
Engineers has set out
suggested initial
frequencies of inspection
and testing of electrical
equipment as shown under
frequency
click here |
|
|
|
|
How long
will the testing take?
|
| It takes
approximately 10-15 minutes
to test a standard PC,
Monitor, Printer and
extension lead.
Unfortunately there is no
definite time scale each
site is different. Please
feel free to contact us for
more accurate estimates. |
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