PAT Testing?

[Fluffernutter]

I own a small tutoring business and have electrical equipment in an office type building that I rent, and my students have lessons here and use the equipment. Do I need to have my electric devices PAT tested, and if so, how often? I'm in Scotland, if that makes a difference. I looked online but it's unclear.

 

[MBE2017]

Your landlord might have an EPC for the fixed wiring, any equipment of your own you would need to ensure they are safe. How often to be tested is the harder part to answer.

 

[fisicx]

There is no law requiring PAT.

Your insurance might kick up a fuss but HSE busted the myth years ago that it was necessary.

You choose if and when you want to do any testing.

 

[DontAsk]

There's no law, but the equipment must be safe. PAT is one way of demonstrating that.

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

Bit of a thread hijack, but what's the situation with Fire Extinguishers, testing, replacement etc.,?

 

[fisicx]

There's no law, but the equipment must be safe. PAT is one way of demonstrating that.

There are plenty of other ways. It’s all detailed on the HSE website.

Do you have all your home appliances tested? If not how are you demonstrating safety to any visitors?

 

[fisicx]

Bit of a thread hijack, but what's the situation with Fire Extinguishers, testing, replacement etc.,?

Should be tested annually and replaced as detailed on the label. Same with your alarm system.

 

[DontAsk]

There are plenty of other ways.

Did I say there weren't. No, I said PAT is ONE way of doing it.

It’s all detailed on the HSE website.

Do you have all your home appliances tested?

No.

If not how are you demonstrating safety to any visitors?

I am capable of doing it myself, but not by PAT. Like I said, PAT is just ONE way of demonstrating safety.

 

[Lucan Unlordly]

Should be tested annually and replaced as detailed on the label. Same with your alarm system.

Is there any leeway regarding the size of premises as on our estate there are at least 3 units that I know don't follow that path. One, is a 12ft square office with just a kitchenette and toilet.

 

[Waddy]

Is there any leeway regarding the size of premises as on our estate there are at least 3 units that I know don't follow that path. One, is a 12ft square office with just a kitchenette and toilet.

It will depend on each business' fire risk assessment. There's no law saying you have to have fire extinguishers or get them tested.

If a business has more than 5 employees then they should have a written fire risk assessment. It's up to the person doing the assessment what risks there are and if any fire suppression equipment is needed. You can do the assessment yourself.

 

[Karimbo]

it's inexpensive and you should get it down if you have never got pat testing down and you have a lot of hardware in your premesis.

If you've got 230v AC directly to a computer that clients interface with, I would 100% recemmnd getting it tested to make sure it's not leaking current.

If you have a bunch of desktop computers then those are fed with 230V AC and the end user can touch the appliance that is directly connected to the voltage.

A laptop or tablet the AC current ends at the plug or power brick and from the brick [laptop] or the plug [tablet] it's all low volt DC.

I would be less concerned if I had a bunch of tablets where the end user would got shocked by a <18W DC current.

Once you have a test down, you can skip a year or two - up to you. But if you have kettles, microwaves, vaccums, dekstop computers I would get tested to be sure I'm not putting anyone in danger.

 

[fisicx]

That makes no sense at all. The test checks for current leakage to the earth. Touching a double insulated cable won’t give you a shock even if there is an earth leakage. What it will probably do is trip the consumer unit.

The test is for portable equipment. New and double insulated equipment does not need testing. And if static (like a computer monitor) never needs testing.

Have a test if it makes you feel better but a visual inspection is all that’s normally needed.

 

[WaveJumper]

More info on the topic here:

PAT (Portable appliance testing) - HSE's answers to popular questions

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) answers; frequency of tests, legal requirements, record keeping, new equipment, who can test, hire tools

www.hse.gov.uk

 

[Scubadog]

There are plenty of other ways. It’s all detailed on the HSE website.

Do you have all your home appliances tested? If not how are you demonstrating safety to any visitors?

If the OP has visitors in a business environment then all equipment would fall under PUWER regs....hence PAT testing is one method in ensuring equipment is safe and serviceable.

PUWER doesn't apply to domestic dwellings.

 

[Tim James]

Just signed up to the site today to make connections and found this post via a search. In case anyone sees it in the future, it's true to say that PAT Testing is not actually a legal requirement per se; but there is a duty on every employer or busines owner to make sure that their equipment is safe. The way that 90% of business owners do this is by PAT Testing - either they test their own equipment or they pay someone to do it.

It's often a requirement of insurance policies, or it may be a requirement of a landlord or someone that you're subcontracting to - eg it's common in construction for subcontractors to get their equipment tested before going onto site. Bands and DJs usually have to get their equipment tested because the venues require it, and private landlords usually have to get the equipment they provide tested on a yearly basis. Most people get their equipment tested on an annual basis because their insurance company require it.

Obviously there is more to it than this, but it's generally the case that it's not expensive to get your appliances checked, and of course if you ever are dealing with the aftermath of a fire or accident and your insurance company are trying to get out of paying up, you'll be really glad you did!

I've been in the industry for more than 30 years (since before we even started calling it 'PAT Testing') and I'm happy to help anyone who has questions.