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PAT TESTING & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT SAFETY
What Is PAT Compliance?
A practical explanation for duty holders, businesses and property managers
PAT compliance generally means being able to demonstrate that electrical equipment is being managed and maintained so that it remains safe to use.
Importantly, PAT compliance does not simply mean that every electrical appliance has been PAT tested. There is no general UK law requiring every electrical appliance to undergo a PAT test at a fixed interval.
What does PAT compliance involve?
Identifying electrical equipment
Know what electrical equipment is being used and where it is being used.
Assessing the risk
Consider the type of equipment, how it is used, who uses it and the environment in which it operates.
Visual inspection
Look for damage, deterioration, contamination, loose parts, damaged cables, plugs or other signs that equipment may be unsafe.
Electrical testing where justified
Use appropriate electrical tests where the risk assessment indicates that testing is necessary or beneficial.
Suitability for the environment
Ensure equipment is suitable for the conditions in which it is being used.
Taking defective equipment out of service
Equipment that is unsafe or suspected of being unsafe should not continue to be used.
Repair or replacement
Faulty equipment should be appropriately repaired or replaced before being returned to service.
Records and maintenance history
Keep appropriate records where they help demonstrate that a suitable maintenance system is in place.
Reviewing inspection and testing intervals
Intervals should be based on risk, use, equipment type and environment rather than an automatic annual PAT test.
PAT COMPLIANCE
PAT testing is only one part of compliance
PAT testing is one part of an electrical equipment maintenance system. PAT compliance is better understood as the overall process of demonstrating that electrical equipment is safe, suitable and properly maintained.
For example, if a washing machine is tested and produces an insulation leakage result above the applicable limit, simply recording the appliance as “FAIL” does not make the situation compliant. Appropriate action should follow, such as removing the appliance from use, investigating the fault, repairing or replacing it, and establishing that it is safe before it is returned to service.
PAT COMPLIANCE
Why the environment matters
The conditions in which an appliance is used can have a significant effect on electrical safety.
An appliance may be electrically satisfactory when tested, but that does not automatically mean that it is suitable for every environment or method of use.
- Equipment used in kitchens may be exposed to heat, moisture, grease and contamination.
- Equipment in workshops or commercial environments may be exposed to dust, vibration, impact or more frequent handling.
- Portable equipment used by members of the public may experience significantly different levels of wear and misuse.
- Equipment in holiday accommodation may be used by many different people and may be subjected to conditions different from those anticipated by the manufacturer.
A practical example
Consider a washing machine in a holiday property. A suitable maintenance regime would not rely solely on a previous PAT test. The responsible person should also consider the machine's condition, how it is being used, its installation and surroundings, visible signs of damage, any reported problems and the results of appropriate inspection and testing.
If the appliance is found to have an electrical fault, excessive vibration, water leakage or another safety-related defect, the issue should be addressed rather than relying on the fact that the appliance previously passed a test.
THE IMPORTANT QUESTION FOR A DUTY HOLDER
“What system do you have in place to ensure that electrical equipment remains safe and suitable for use?”
This is a more meaningful question than simply asking whether every appliance has been tested within the last 12 months.
PAT COMPLIANCE
UK legal position
For workplaces, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 place duties on employers and others responsible for electrical systems to ensure that electrical equipment and systems are maintained, so far as is reasonably practicable, to prevent danger. The wider health and safety framework may also apply depending on the circumstances.
The important point is that UK requirements are generally risk-based. There is not a blanket legal requirement to PAT test every appliance every year.
SUMMARY
In simple terms
- PAT testing does not equal PAT compliance.
- Visual inspection and appropriate electrical testing can both form part of a maintenance regime.
- The risk associated with the equipment, its use and its environment should be considered.
- Defective equipment should be removed from service and dealt with appropriately.
- Inspection and testing intervals should be based on risk rather than an automatic annual cycle.
- The duty holder should be able to demonstrate that a suitable system exists to keep electrical equipment safe.