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.
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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.
What are the Punishments for Not PAT Testing?
PAT testing is not a legal requirement, but there are regulations stating that all electrical equipment needs to be safe to use for staff and visitors. These two things are different. Let us explain.
There’s no legal requirement for PAT testing to be done every X, Y or Z months. This means missing a deadline is OK. But it’s a risk. Why is it a risk? Because of the safety regulations.
The regulations require you to ensure electrical equipment is safe to use. The only way to ensure this is to have it PAT tested. PAT testing allows you to cover your own back against punishment if you are accused of not ensuring your equipment is safe. So the law doesn’t require PAT testing, but regulations expect it. The punishment for non-compliance can be anything up to £20,000 and/or a prison sentence of 2 years, based on previous cases. Neither are worth the risk. Especially when lives could be at stake.
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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.
Class 1
Basic insulation and reliant on an earth for protection
- Kettles
- Microwaves
- Fridges/freezers
Class 2
Supplementary insulation and does not rely on an earth for protection
- TV/DVD players
- Lamps
- Power tools
IT Items
Supplementary insulations and does not rely on an earth for protection
- Computers
- Printers
- Photocopiers
Moveable equipment
Equipment weighing less than 18k, usually fitted with wheels or casters
- Oil filled heater
- Power washer
Hand held equipment
Equipment weighing less than 18k and designed to be operated in the hand
- Hairdryer
- PDAs
- Power drill and tools
Stationary equipment
Equipment weight over 18k without a provided means of carrying
- Washing machine
- Chest freezer
110v equipment
Basic insulation and reliant on an earth for protection
- Certain cement mixers
- Power adapters
- Crane lifts
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