Portable Appliance Testing

PAT Testing or Portable Appliance Testing is an important part of any Health & Safety Policy.

The Health & Safety Executive states that 25% of all reportable electrical accidents involve portable appliances. The Electricity at Work Regulations place a legal responsibility on employers, employees and self-employed persons to comply with the provisions of the Regulations and take reasonably practicable steps to ensure that no danger results from the use of such equipment. This in effect requires the implementation of a systematic and regular program of maintenance, inspection and testing. The Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) places such an obligation in the following circumstances:

  • Where appliances are used by employees.
  • Where the public may use appliances in establishments such as hospitals, schools, hotels, shops etc.
  • Where appliances are supplied or hired.
  • Where appliances are repaired or serviced.

    • The level of inspection and testing required is dependant upon the risk of the appliance becoming faulty, which is in turn dependant upon the type of appliance, the nature of its use and the environment in which it is used.

    The Institution of Engineering and Technology publish the "Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment" (ISBN: 978-0-86341-833-4) . This guide forms the basis for portable appliance testing in the U.K.

    Type of premises Formal visual inspection Combined inspection & Testing
     
    Offices & Shops
    		  
    Stationary equipment  
    24 months
    48 months
    IT equipment  
    24 months
    48 months
    Movable equipment  
    12 months
    24 months
    Portable equipment  
    12 months
    24 months
    Hand-held equipment  
    6 Months
    12 months
     
    Hotels
    		  
    Stationary equipment  
    24 months
    48 months
    IT equipment  
    24 months
    48 months
    Movable equipment  
    12 months
    24 months
    Portable equipment  
    12 months
    24 months
    Hand-held equipment  
    6 Months
    12 months
     
    Equipment used by the public
    		  
    Stationary equipment  
    Monthly
    12 months
    IT equipment  
    Monthly
    12 months
    Movable equipment  
    Weekly
    6 months
    Portable equipment  
    Weekly
    6 months
    Hand-held equipment  
    Weekly
    6 months
     
    Industrial including commercial kitchens
    		  
    Stationary equipment  
    None
    12 months
    IT equipment  
    None
    12 months
    Movable equipment  
    Monthly
    6 months
    Portable equipment  
    Monthly
    6 months
    Hand-held equipment  
    Monthly
    6 months
     
    Schools
    		  
    Stationary equipment  
    None
    12 months
    IT equipment  
    None
    12 months
    Movable equipment  
    4 months
    12 months
    Portable equipment  
    4 months
    12 months
    Hand-held equipment  
    4 months
    12 months
     
    Construction sites 110V equipment
    		  
    Stationary equipment  
    Monthly
    3 months
    IT equipment  
    Monthly
    3 months
    Movable equipment  
    Monthly
    3 months
    Portable equipment  
    Monthly
    3 months
    Hand-held equipment  
    Monthly
    3 months