PAT Testing

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Anyone recommend a competitive and efficient firm in the High Wycombe area?

[Thankyou4calling]

TwigtheWonderkid said:

Anyone recommend a competitive and efficient firm in the High Wycombe area?

Might be an odd question, but why do you want it done?

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Been 5 yrs since we last had it done. Not sure of the legal position but would like it done again.

[trickywoo]

My colleague was on about it recently. There are only two of us in the office.

I said if she has it done at home I'll have it done in the office. Heard no more about it.

Testing isn't a legal requirement but you are required to maintain electrical equipment.

My view is that if something passes a test one day doesn't mean its maintained correctly and won't fail the next.

Its an easy cover all for an employer and probably worth the small outlay if you have staff to worry about but its a bit of a sham really.

[Dixy]

The most important part of Portable Appliance Testing is the retest frequency. If you are a plasterer and the mixing drill is thrown from the scaffolding in to the back of a wet pickup, it should be tested once a week. If you have a fan in the corner of the office why bother.

[insurance_jon]

have you had your fixed wiring tested? this is actually a requirement to have it done every 5 years.

[lewes]

Or 3 years in an industrial environment

[insurance_jon]

correct

[scratch pervert]

So there is no legal requirement to have this done!?!!

[Magic919]

PIN number.

[98elise]

scratch pervert said:

So there is no legal requirement to have this done!?!!

Not as such. The law requires you maintaing your electrical equipment in safe state (as far as is practical). If someone is injured by your equipment you would need to prove you have taken reasonable steps to ensure their safety.

A PAT test is just a means on doing that, but is not prescribed in law. You could just carry out a visual inspection and mark that as done.PAT testing was devised by meter manufacturers, not the law.

As somone has said above. What its reasonable to do entirely dependant on what the appliance is used for. Something that is static in an office enviroment is vastly different to power tools used on a site environment.

Basically its your judgment call on what is reasonable and practical in your situation.

Think of it as the law needing you to keep your car in a safe state but doesn't mandate an MOT. Your car dealer recommends an MOT every year. Its up to you to decide if you want that MOT, or do something else.

[RAClNG SNAKE]

98elise said:

The law requires you maintain your electrical equipment in safe state (as far as is practical). If someone is injured by your equipment you would need to prove you have taken reasonable steps to ensure their safety.

And if you don't you can expect your insurance company to try and wriggle out of settling for an accident or fire caused by an electrical fault.

[Jockman]

RAClNG SNAKE said:

And if you don't you can expect your insurance company to try and wriggle out of settling for an accident or fire caused by an electrical fault.

£100 for £120 appliances (ish). Why even think abooot it ???

To be fair to Insurers, they are getting hit from every angle by no win no fee twunts. I'm happy to do my bit to thwart this