Untested appliances are a regular hazard in both businesses and rented properties, and by law any electrical equipment that has the potential to cause injury must be maintained in a safe condition.
Many businesses and Landlord neglect PAT Testing because it’s not technically a legal requirement. However, should one of your employees or tenants be injured through the use of an unsafe appliance – you will be liable. In this blog, we will run through the various services we can offer to help you keep your domestic, commercial, work and letted property safe from electrical hazards.
Carrying Out PAT Testing In-House
We know having a PAT test can seem like an unnecessary process and for those working in larger companies having an electrician coming in to test every single portable appliance is an expensive and time consuming process – in recent years, we have begun to see larger companies moving their pat testing in-house, by sending an employee on the relevant courses and purchasing testing equipment.
If your competent person does find an appliance has failed a PAT test, it should not be used. Either safely dispose of it or call an electrician to arrange a repair.
Unfortunately, this isn’t a very cost effective option for those who only have a handful of electrical appliances, for example homeowners and landlords – in these cases it may be more financially viable to call a qualified electrician or PAT tester.
How Often Should I Have PAT Testing Carried Out?
There is no set legal requirement for how often PAT tests should be carried out on appliances, this is because it differs on the type of the frequency of use, age, manufacturer recommendations and type of the appliance. However, as a rule of thumb we recommend once every 24 months for stationary and IT equipment, and once every 12 months if you are a landlord with responsibility for the electrics in a rented property.
Visual Appliance Inspection – How To Identify A Problem With Your Appliance
Part of the PAT test is the visual inspection, which brings any immediate problems with the appliance to attention. Sometimes with low risk items, you can carry out a visual inspection yourself, eliminating the need for a PAT test. Here are a few things you can look out for that generally indicate a problem:
Cracked or damaged plug casing
Damage to the wiring
Signs of overheating / discolouration
Damage to the plug pins
If you do spot any of these immediate problems, we recommend switching the device off and calling an electrician to take a look at it.
Stay Safe and Compliant With Allied Electrical Services
If you need a diverse, trusted electrician to provide services at your domestic, commercial or let property whether it’s electrical testing, a full property rewire or any other electrical service. give one of our friendly team a call on 0117 303 900 or fill out a contact form and we will get back to you.
