PAT Testing
What does PAT stand for?
PAT stands for Portable Appliance Testing. In short, it means that if you are using an appliance that has a mains plug on it, then it should be tested for electrical safety. How often you use the equipment dictates how often it is should be tested.
The following guidance is what we use:
- Regularly used equipment, by a touring company or a band for example, should be tested no less than every three months.
- If your equipment is in a purpose made venue (like a theatrem bar, night-club etc) then at least every 12 months.
We regularly check our equipment and a visual inspection is carried out before all hires!!
The above are just the reccomendations that we are made aware of, the laws on PAT testing do change fairly often. It should also be noted that it is a legal requirement to have your equipment tested at least every 12 months. Failure to do so could result in hefty fines and maybe even imprisonment if an accident was to occur as a result of negligence on your part.
Why Test?
The legislation of specific relevance to electrical maintenance is the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. Basically for safety purposes you should comply with the legislations in force. Get more information at: www.pat-testing.info
Who Can Test equipment?
Anyone who is competent can test equipment. As such we ensure our staff are trained to the correct level via a NAPIT (National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers) endorsed training course to achieve a certificate of Technical Competence for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment.
Our staff are currently undergoing training and qualified testers are below, simply click on their name to see their certificate.
The Cost
Our rates vary depending on the amount of equipment. Obviously we offer discounts for higher numbers of equipment, but also deals on band equipment like where a guitar amp and its lead must be tested seperately, we are likely to charge a package price of about £5. Below is a guide to costs:
Basic call out fee: £50 (includes 5 items)
Additional 6 - 50 items: £3 per unit
Additional 51 - 100 items: £2.50 per unit
Alternatively you could opt for: Per Day fee (8 hours): £120 & unit fee (each): £1.50
These call out fees are based on a radious of 20 miles within Bury St Edmunds, including Thurston, Culford, Stanton, Ixworth, Lawshall, Woolpit etc.
We require a list of equipment and each should have a Unique ID. You can download our template here.
The Equipment
We currently have a Seaward PAC500 which can perform the neccessary checks to test standard class 1 & 2 (non-IT) equipment and leads / cables. For those more 'Tech-Savvy' the equipment can carry out; Lead Polarity Test, 500V DC Insulation Test, 25A AC Earth Continuity Test. And of course the other bit of equipment is our own body's, mainly eyes and fingers to carry out thorough visual inspections. We also carry screwdrivers etc so that we can even carry out these parts of the test for a fully thorough examination for maximum safety!