How often do I need to have my equipment PAT tested?
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:-
-
The environment -
equipment installed in a benign environment will suffer less damage than
equipment in an arduous environment.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
Recommendations
We work with and adhere to the guidance contained within
the “Code of Practice for
In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment”
as published by the Institute of electrical Engineers (The IEE).
The recommendations laid out in the above publication give a very good base
from which to work. However as in all cases, each item must be subject to an
initial assessment prior to testing and this would include the nature of it's
use, environmental factors etc and it is very important to realise that these
factors can have an impact on the frequency of which both inspection and testing
should be carried out.
For example an electric drill being used daily on a construction site would
need to be inspected and tested far more frequently than the same item being used for "DIY"
around an Office or Retail setting.
Inspection Periods
The recommended
periods for in service inspection and testing of electrical appliances can vary
for item to item depending on its use and environment. The table below can be
used as a guide.
Note: The periods stated in this
table are not mandatory and are included for reference only. You may find some
of your equipment is recommended to be tested more frequently due to its use.
|
Type of Premises |
Type of Equipment Note (1) |
User Checks Note (2) |
Class I |
Class II Note (4) |
Formal Visual Inspection Note (3) |
Combined Inspection and Testing
Note (5) |
Formal Visual Inspection Note (3) |
Combined Inspection and Testing
Note (5) |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
1 |
Construction sites
110V equipment |
S
IT
M#
P#
H# |
None
None
Weekly
Weekly
Weekly |
1 Month
1 Month
1 Month
1 Month
1 Month |
3 Months
3 Months
3 Months
3 Months
3 Months |
1 Month
1 Month
1 Month
1 Month
1 Month |
3 Months
3 Months
3 Months
3 Months
3 Months |
2 |
Industrial (including commercial & kitchens) |
S
IT
M
P
H |
Weekly
Weekly
Before use
Before use
Before use |
None
None
1 Month
1 Month
1 Month |
12 Months
12 Months
12 Months
6 Months
6 Months |
None
None
3 Months
3 Months
3 Months |
12 Months
12 Months
12 Months
6 Months
6 Months |
3 |
Equipment used by or accessible to the public |
S
IT
M
P
H |
Note (6)+
Note (6)+
Note (6)+
Note (6)+
Note (6)+ |
Monthly
Monthly
Weekly
Weekly
Weekly |
12 Months
12 Months
6 Months
6 Months
6 Months |
3 Months
3 Months
1 Month
1 Month
1 Month |
12 Months
12 Months
12 Months
12 Months
12 Months |
4 |
Schools |
S
IT
M
P
H |
Weekly+
Weekly+
Weekly+
Weekly+
Before use+ |
None
None
4 Months
4 Months
4 Months |
12 Months
12 Months
12 Months
12 Months
12 Months |
12 Months
12 Months
4 Months
4 Months
4 Months |
48 Months
48 Months
48 Months
48 Months
48 Months |
5 |
Hotels |
S
IT
M
P
H |
None
None
Weekly
Weekly
Before use |
24 Months
24 Months
12 Months
12 Months
6 Months |
48 Months
48 Months
24 Months
24 Months
12 Months |
24 Months
24 Months
24 Months
24 Months
6 Months |
None
None
None
None
None |
6 |
Offices and shops |
S
IT
M
P
H |
None
None
Weekly
Weekly
Before use |
24 Months
24 Months
12 Months
12 Months
6 Months |
48 Months
48 Months
24 Months
24 Months
12 Months |
24 Months
24 Months
24 Months
24 Months
6 Months |
None
None
None
None
None |
Note
(1) S Stationary Equipment
IT Information Technology
Equipment
M Movable Equipment
P Portable Equipment
H Hand-held Equipment
(2) User checks are not recorded unless
a fault is found.
(3) The formal visual inspection may form part of the
combined inspection and tests when they coincide, and must be recorded.
(4) If class of equipment is not known or cannot be
identified it must be treated as Class I.
(5) The results of combined inspections and tests are
recorded.
(6) For some equipment such as children's rides a daily
check may be necessary.
+ By supervisor/teacher/member of staff
# 110V earthed centre tapped supply. 230V portable or
hand-held equipment must be supplied via a 30mA RCD and inspections and tests
carried out more frequently.
Table taken from IEE Code of Practice for In-service Inspection
and Testing of Electrical Equipment.
YOUR SAFETY IS OUR CONCERN
|