PAT Testing Regulations UK

What is PAT Testing?

Portable Appliance Testing, also known as PAT test. Is a test that examines electrical products to verify their safety. In addition, A PAT test can also be referred to as a ‘service inspection and electrical equipment testing’. The test will check electrical devices for signs of damage, measure the quality of insulation, and determine if the earthing conductors can protect against electric shocks. So, what are the PAT testing regulations in the UK?

 

PAT Testing Rules & Regulations

PAT testing is not a legal requirement in the UK. However, with the focus on ‘Health & Safety’, conforming to PAT testing regulations will help to maintain the safety of your business and help you to avoid violations. PAT testing legislation was put into place to ensure all UK companies conform to the following acts:

1. Health and Safety at work act of 1974
2. The electricity at work regulation of 1989
3. The provision use of work equipment regulations of 1998
4. The management of health and safety at work regulation of 1999

 

All homeowners and business owners need to ensure their portable electrical equipment is safe and maintained in a decent manner. Additionally, HMO Landlords must conduct annual PAT tests to ensure that all electrical appliances are safe. Lastly, private firms currently do not have exact requirements for testing on their properties.

 

Who can conduct a PAT Test?

PAT Testing can be conducted by an individual who has been deemed competent by taking a PAT training course and holds a certificate of competency in PAT testing. Generally, already established electricians will hold this certification and offer PAT testing as one of their services. When booking a PAT test, it’s important for you to hire an electrician who has experience in the industry. An experienced electrician will great knowledge and will be able to advise you correctly.

After PAT testing has been completed, you will receive a certificate that confirms the when the test was conducted. However, the certificate does not have a specific expiration date. So, how often should you have a PAT test? The answer to this relies of a variety of factors but to simplify matters. We recommend that hotels, shops, or offices conduct a PAT test at least every 2 years. Schools, colleges, universities, cafes, or workshops may require frequent testing. Every year or less. This is because the electrical appliances in these places generally have a high usage.

 

How much does PAT testing cost?

 

The cost of a PAT test depends on many factors. For example, Number of appliances, travel, parking, and the location of the appliances. Although these factors may cause your overall quote to increase or decrease, below is a rough estimation for typical pricing in the UK.

If your building has hundreds of appliances to be tested, you may be looking at 70p – 80p for each item. On the other hand, if you have few items, you may be charged between £1.00 -£2.00 or more for each item. Lastly, the charges for high-risk environment such as building sites or industrial sites may be higher than the prices we’ve listed. This is because, factors such as built-in desks or hard to reach outlets will make the testing more difficult than usual.

 

Other articles about PAT Testing

What is a PAT Test

PAT Testing in the workplace