PAT Testing
Commercial PAT Testing
Portable Appliance Testing - The Law
In the UK it is a legal requirement to provide and maintain all electrical equipment so that it is safe for use, no matter who the equipment is used by. The best way to do this is by regular PAT testing. For more information see the official Health and Safety Executive (HSE) website http://www.hse.gov.uk/electricity/faq-portable-appliance-testing.htm
PAT Testing is the most effective way of identifying faults and defects in electrical equipment, and here at Blackwell and Denton our qualified electricians can test your equipment and repair faults that they encounter.
How Does it Work?
Depending on the size of your business, one or more members of the Blackwell and Denton Ltd team to complete the testing. They will test all electrical items you have, from your kettle to computers, using our specialist PAT testing equipment. Our equipment will then pass the item or flag up any errors or defects. Each item is then marked with a green sticky label and signed as Passed with the date, and assigned an equipment number, or given a red failed sticker to identify faulty equipment easily.
All of the test results can be collated for you into one document, listing each piece of equipment and its individual results for your records.
Why Should I Have My Equipment Tested?
PAT testing for businesses can save money!
Any defects highlighted in the PAT testing process can be investigated, which could save you money by correcting the fault before it escalates and causes damage to the item or worse the user. It can also save downtime of that electrical item by not having to wait for replacement items or parts – it could be a major business disaster averted, especially if its the office kettle!
Electrical Fires are very dangerous and PAT testing can often catch faults before the equipment fails to this degree and again can save you huge amounts of money as well as disruption to the business. It is thought that between 70 and 80% of business do not reopen after a fire, so why take the risk?
If you are looking for a commercial electrician in York or the surrounding area for PAT testing or other electrical testing please get in touch.
Call our team on 01904 659066 or book an engineer on-line for a free quotation on PAT testing for businesses and commercial premises.
How often should you be conducting your PAT Test Inspection?
PAT, or Portable Appliance Testing, is important for business owners to keep on top of. Testing appliances for electrical efficiency are vital to ensuring the safety of staff, customers, visitors and electrical hardware. A PAT test inspection is an important part of ensuring your workplace is safe.
PAT, or Portable Appliance Testing, is important for business owners to keep on top of. Testing appliances for electrical efficiency are vital to ensuring the safety of staff, customers, visitors and electrical hardware. The HSE offer more help and guidance on electrical law and regulations.
PAT testing rules are tricky. This is because different items and situations call for different measures. The rules for an office are different to the rules for a school or education environment. Below, we explain how often each situation calls for PAT testing to be done.
How often should you have a PAT test inspection?
Below is a description of the types of places that need PAT testing, and when they will need it. Examples of the classes of equipment are in the graphics below.
Offices, shops, hotels and alike
- Class 1 equipment (general IT equipment) should be tested every 4 years.
- Portable equipment such as extension leads should be tested every 2 years.
- Handheld and more frequently used and transported equipment should be tested every 12 months due to the increased risk of damage.
Schools
- All class 1 and IT equipment should be tested every 1 year.
- Class 2 equipment should be tested every 2 years.
Construction
- All 110V equipment that’s regularly used on a construction site should be tested as often as every 3 months!
Industrial
- Industrial sites including commercial kitchens should have their portable and handheld equipment tested as often as every 6 months.
- For other stationary, movable or IT equipment, it is recommended to test every 12 months.
PAT Test Inspection Equipment Examples
Below are the classes that each electrical item falls under. These will make understanding the frequency of PAT testing needed a little easier. Relate these back to the examples above.
