Portable Appliance Tests Explained
Portable Appliance Tests Explained
Portable Appliance Tests (PAT Tests) are a well-established part of the Health and Safety landscape and language. While they are not a legal obligation in their own right, Portable Appliance Tests are recognised industry wide as the best way to ensure electrical appliances are safe for use. They also ensure that landlords and employers are protected against the various pieces of government legislation regarding electrical safety in the workplace and in rental properties if an accident were to occur.
Portable appliance tests explained can help you if you are interested in finding out the information pertaining to the legal requirements for electrical safety which are satisfied by Portable Appliance Tests; particular focus should be paid to such legislation as: the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974); the Landlords and Tenants Act (1985); the Electricity at Work Regulations (1989); the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations (1994); the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (1998) and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (1999); the Housing Act (2004), pertaining especially to the Housing Health and Safety Rating System; the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England & Wales) (2006); Building Regulations (England & Wales) (2006); and the British Standard 7671: 2008 (IEE Wiring Regulations). All of these requirements can be complied with by simply having Portable Appliance Tests carried out on your electrical devices because they were designed for that purpose.
When you have Portable Appliance Tests in your commercial or residential rental property, a PAT Tester will arrive and begin to conduct a series of simple inspections on your electrical equipment. All electrical appliances which weigh less than 18kg should qualify to have Portable Appliance Tests performed on them, including; TVs, PCs, Photocopiers, Electric Kettles, Monitors, Microwaves, Fridges etc. If you supply these items to your employees or tenants, you must make sure they are safe for use.
Portable Appliance Tests consist of two different stages: the external test and the internal test. The external testing takes into account any damage or wear and tear on the appliance which might compromise its safety; inspections of the wiring and fusing in the plug head; and any signs of over-heating and of the environment the appliance is used and stored in. The internal testing involved plugging the electrical devices into a PAT Testing Machine which checks how the components inside the appliances are performing and that everything is functioning as it should do.
If your appliances pass their Portable Appliance Tests, you will be free to use them and no incident should occur if they are used safely and for their designed purpose. If you appliances fail, they will need to be disposed of immediately and replaced. You cannot use an appliance that has failed their Portable Appliance Tests.
In order to book Portable Appliance Tests for your commercial or residential rental property, fill in our online form and My London Tradesmen will contact companies on your behalf. You will be given up to 3 quotes in return, allowing you to make an informed choice regarding which tradesman to employ to carry out Portable Appliance Tests in your property.
All of the tradesmen we provide quotes from have received up to date training and are fully registered with all the necessary bodies. We only recommend reputable and trustworthy tradesmen.