PAT Testing For Offices, Retail, And Industrial Units: A Complete Guide

Portable appliance testing, or PAT testing, is the recommended process for ensuring that electrical equipment used by a commercial business – such as offices, retail or industrial units – is safe to use. This means that through a series of tests and inspections, any hazards have been identified and the equipment has been confirmed as operating safely. PAT testing therefore helps to prevent accidents, fire or equipment failure related to electrical problems.  

Why do we need to carry out PAT testing?

A business has to comply with the requirements of the Electricity At Work Act 1989, which stipulates that all electrical equipment used by the business must be confirmed as safe to use. PAT testing is the most common, and the most widely recommended, method of doing that. As well as compliance with health and safety legislation, PAT testing also prevents the cost of repairs and downtime associated with equipment failure, and hence can contribute to managing more efficient operations.   

What are portable appliances?

It is a little misleading to consider portable appliances as something you would pick up and move around. The basic definition of items which should be tested under a PAT testing programme is any electrical item that can be plugged into mains power and has a flexible cord, plug or socket. The alternative would be classed as an electrical installation. In the case of offices, retail and industrial units portable appliances can include basic equipment such as PCs and laptops, phones, photocopiers, fridges, freezers, microwaves and kettles. It can also include power tools and some machinery and equipment used in production processes. Some of these items, such as a fridge for example, aren’t necessarily ‘portable’, but they can be moved and of course are plugged into a mains supply, so in this case they should be tested under a PAT testing programme.  

Items included in your PAT testing schedule should be divided into Class l and Class ll appliances. This essentially relates to the insulated safety protection they possess.  

• A Class l appliance has only basic insulation around the cable and lead, but also has an earth connection. These items usually have a metal casing, such as ‘white goods’ like a fridge or a kettle.  

• Class ll appliances are ‘double insulated’ and have a second level of protection around the cable and lead. These items usually have a plastic casing, such as a power tool or a laptop.  

The important difference with these classifications is that Class l appliances require a visual inspection, an insulation resistance test and an earth continuity test, as part of the PAT testing programme, while Class ll appliances only require a visual inspection and an insulation resistance test.   

What does PAT testing involve?

The common process for PAT testing in offices, retail and industrial units should include the following: 

• Appoint a competent person – PAT testing should be carried out by someone with training, qualifications and experience in using the electrical test equipment, identifying hazards and interpreting the results. 

• Carry out a risk assessment – Identify the appliances that need to be tested and the test frequency. This should be based on the nature of the appliance, how it is used, how often it is used and the environment in which it is used and stored. Based on this risk factor, a test frequency could be annual, six-monthly or quarterly.  

• Build an inventory – Whilst doing this you should create an inventory of items to be tested, giving them a unique reference number and noting the location.  

• Visual inspection – The first test is to visually inspect the item for signs of damage, wear and tear and anything that could impact on the safe use of the item.  

• Electrical tests – The competent person should carry out the required electrical safety tests to confirm the safe operation of the item.  

• Identify pass or fail – Results should be recorded to confirm the item has passed or failed the tests. Each item should be identified with a visible sticker which clearly indicates this status, along with the date tested and when the next test is due. This enables users to see whether an item is safe to use or not.  

• Remedial action – Any item that has failed the PAT test for any reason should be identified as such and withdrawn from use, pending repair, and until it can then be identified as ‘Passed’ and therefore is safe to use.   

• Records – All results should be formally recorded, including details of any remedial action and details of when the next test is due.  

Contact Apardion for professional and comprehensive PAT testing

PAT testing is an essential process in order to protect your employees, as well as your buildings and your equipment and machinery. Apardion have resources who are trained and qualified in electrical services who can act as your competent person in order to carry out this testing programme. We can manage the entire process in terms of risk assessments, inventories, testing and remedial measures. So make sure you are fully compliant with your electrical testing obligations and contact Apardion today for all your PAT testing needs.