In-Service Testing of Portable Appliances

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require an employer to ensure that their electrical equipment is maintained in order to prevent danger to staff and public. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (as amended) or "the Fire Safety Order", require those responsible for premises to take reasonable steps to reduce the risk of electrical fires. In-Service Test and Inspection of Portable Appliances (PAT testing) can be an important part of an effective maintenance regime giving employers confidence that they are doing what is necessary to help them meet their legal duties.

Testing takes about 5 minutes per item. We charge a minimum price of £30 for 10 items, with additional items tested for £3 each. If you have more than 84 items, it may be more cost-effective for you to take advantage of my £250 day-rate. It generally works well in such cases if you collect all the items and bring them to a central location for testing, but I can go room to room if needed; it just takes longer. I enter all the tests into a database and produce a report which is your combined certificate and asset register. If you have an existing asset register, that will help make sure nothing gets missed. Failed items will still be listed, allowing you to have them re-tested once repaired.

Some items may be business critical such as IT equipment, so we might need to schedule a quiet time when they can be unplugged for a few minutes. Some fixed appliances such as hand driers or storage heaters can also be tested if they can be safely isolated at the fuse board. They are not usually tested as part of an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) so fall into a grey area if they are not included in an In-Service Test and Inspection.

We are trained to the latest Edition 5 of the Code of Practice. Our test meter is calibrated yearly.