Commercial PAT Testing For Businesses
If you own a business, you must make sure that the electrical appliances and equipment you and your employees are using on a daily basis are tested regularly to ensure they are safe to use.
What is PAT testing?
Commercial Portable Appliance Testing, otherwise known as Commercial PAT testing, is the process of periodically testing your electrical appliances. It helps to confirm that they are fully operational and effectively maintained to be safe for use within the work environment.
PAT testing isn’t a legal requirement, but UK business owners do have a legal obligation to protect the safety of their employees. Therefore PAT testing is a crucial part of making this happen to ensure you’re compliant. As well as being a statutory requirement, many insurance companies require the insured to comply with all current regulations before they provide cover.
Commercial PAT testing not only helps to ensure the safety of your employees and workplace, but it can also help save you money on repairs and replacement parts for faulty equipment. Beyond the cost of replaced equipment, PAT testing will also prevent the need for any company downtime as a result of damaged electronics, meaning there is no loss of business.
There is no defined frequency at which PAT tests should be undertaken, but a professional electrician will assess how often you should have it done based on the type of appliances you use and how often you use them make the work environment high risk or not. The general rule of thumb is to get it done on an annual basis to guarantee the equipment is regularly maintained to be in working order.
What is tested during PAT testing?
The term portable in portable appliance testing can be somewhat misleading, any commercial business that utilises electronic devices that plug into a wall socket qualifies as a portable appliance and should be examined as part of a PAT test.
Some examples of appliances that would require testing are; monitors, computers, telephones, printers, hairdryers, shavers, and kitchen appliances. Cordless and battery-powered equipment do not need testing, but their chargers would.
This means that a wide range of different commercial businesses that are not just offices will benefit from PAT testing, including:
- Hairdressers/Salons
- Hotels
- Restaurants
- Healthcare
- Construction
Who can perform a Commercial PAT test?
Anyone can carry out the PAT test of your business so long as they are a ‘competent person’. According to the IEE Code of Practice, this is defined as:
- Having adequate knowledge of electricity
- Relevant experience in electrical work
- Sufficient understanding of the appliance that needs testing and practical experience of that class of appliance
- A consideration of the hazards that could arise during the work and the precautions that should be taken as a result
With nationwide coverage, our team will come out to your premises and carry out commercial PAT testing at a time that suits you. We understand testing can cause disruptions to your staff and your work, so we will work around your business even throughout the night.
At PTS Compliance, all of our engineers are highly qualified, insured, DBS checked, and safe contractor approved for your total peace of mind. Testing to standard regulations, we’ll give you confidence in your workplace safety. After the test has been carried out, you will be provided with a certificate that confirms you have had portable electrical appliances safety checked which can be used to demonstrate your compliance.
Get in touch to book your Portable Appliance Test today, alternatively, if you would like to discuss your requirements with a member of our team, give us a call on 0800 644 5400.