P a t testing electrical items

[mammybear]

hi don't know if this is the correct place for this, but i was just wondering how often should things be tested.

[saraneon]

they dont have to be by law if you are in a rented property. In the workplace they do.

[Grahame]

As above and in the workplace every 12 months.

[dosxuk]

they dont have to be by law if you are in a rented property. In the workplace they do.

 

No they don't.

 

In the workplace use of electrical equipment is covered by parts of the H&SAW act. The main requirement is that all equipment should be safe for use - there is no specification of how this is done. However, most organisations use the PAT (and associated documentation) to do this as it's the most recognised and standardised way of managing this requirement - however it is not a legal requirement for a PAT to happen provided you have alternative methods of ensuring equipment is electrically safe.

 

A PAT only states if the equipment is safe at the time of testing, much more important than the actual test is the paperwork and risk assesment to back up those tests so that faults can be identified before they become a risk to safety. As part of the risk assesment, it should also be decided how often the equipment should be tested - for example, a light fitting in a unaccessed window could be tested every year, but a vacumn cleaner used daily could be needed to be tested every three months. It's very unusual for equipment to be tested at periods greater than two years, but the actual retest period should be stated on your records for that equipment.

[manofstrad]

they dont have to be by law if you are in a rented property. In the workplace they do.

 

If you are living in a HMO and the electrical items are suplied by the landlord they have to be tested every twelve months.

[saraneon]

good feedback on this and interesting, thanks all

[mike84]

As above and in the workplace every 12 months.

 

Items do not have to be PAT tested, even in workplaces.

[manofstrad]

good feedback on this and interesting, thanks all

 

You're welcome saraneon.

[Grahame]

Items do not have to be PAT tested, even in workplaces.

 

Then the big organisation I work for is wasting it's money by calling in outside contractors every twelve months to do the PAT testing.

 

Just read this

 

Assessing the frequency of testing

 

The Health & Safety Executive offers no absolute rules on the frequency of the testing and inspection of portable appliances. The Memorandum of Guidance on the Electricity at Work Regulations suggests that 'regular inspection of equipment is an essential part of any preventative maintenance program', but no attempt is made to specify the intervals of time implied by the word 'regular'. The reason for this omission is obvious; different situations require different measures in order to meet the requirement that the danger is prevented. The factors which effect the frequency of testing must be assessed by the duty holder who thereby makes the judgement.

 

In arriving at a judgement as to the frequency of testing, a duty holder is likely to assess the following factors:-

 

1. The environment - equipment installed in a benign environment will suffer less damage than equipment in an arduous environment

2. Users - if the users report damage as and when it becomes evident, hazards will be avoided. Conversely, if equipment is likely to receive unreported abuse, more frequent inspection and testing is required

3. The equipment construction - the safety of a Class 1 appliance is dependant upon a connection with earth of the electrical installation. If the flexible cable is damaged the connection with earth can be lost. Safety of Class 2 equipment is not dependent upon the fixed electrical installation

4. The equipment type - appliances which are hand held are more likely to be damaged than fixed appliances. If they are Class 1 the risk of danger is increased, as the safety is dependant upon the continuity of the protective conductor from the plug to the appliance.

 

http://www.pat-testing.info/frequency.htm

[manofstrad]

No they don't.

 

In the workplace use of electrical equipment is covered by parts of the H&SAW act. The main requirement is that all equipment should be safe for use - there is no specification of how this is done. However, most organisations use the PAT (and associated documentation) to do this as it's the most recognised and standardised way of managing this requirement - however it is not a legal requirement for a PAT to happen provided you have alternative methods of ensuring equipment is electrically safe.

 

A PAT only states if the equipment is safe at the time of testing, much more important than the actual test is the paperwork and risk assesment to back up those tests so that faults can be identified before they become a risk to safety. As part of the risk assesment, it should also be decided how often the equipment should be tested - for example, a light fitting in a unaccessed window could be tested every year, but a vacumn cleaner used daily could be needed to be tested every three months. It's very unusual for equipment to be tested at periods greater than two years, but the actual retest period should be stated on your records for that equipment.

 

Completely wrong and out of date by three years i,m afraid.