subject: Do I Need PAT Testing? [print this page] Portable Appliance Testing involves, unsurprisingly, the testing of portable electrical appliances to ensure their safety. Many PAT testing companies will provide this service for you, allowing you to feel safe in the knowledge that your employees, your tenants and even you yourself are safe using your equipment. If you are in a position where you are not sure if PAT testing is something you need, keep reading for some additional information as to the different organisations that require this service.
Office Buildings
Offices are often heralded as reasonably safe places to work, but when it comes to ensuring the safety of electrical portable appliances there is much to consider. If you are in an office as you are reading this information have a look around you, how many electrical appliances can you see? Undoubtedly there is a computer, but what about a printer? Or separate speakers? There may be a telephone, or a fax machine? Perhaps even some additional lighting, such as desk lights? In any office there are many different electrical appliances that need PAT testing to ensure that they are safe.
If you are in charge of an office then you should seriously consider finding a local Portable Appliance Testing company so as to ensure that you and your employees are not in danger from any faulty electrical equipment. For a small office the price of PAT testing should be relatively low.
Schools
Once upon a time schools may have had access to limited electrical appliances, but these days it is not uncommon to find computers within almost every classroom. Projectors, design and technology equipment and many other pieces of equipment could all require PAT testing to ensure that they are completely safe. This is essential in keeping all students free from harm as they attend their lessons. Universities and colleges are not exempt from this requirement either, and may even offer greater volumes of electrical appliances.
Landlords
If you own a property and let it out, you are responsible for the safety of anyone that lives under the shelter of your roof. Appliances such as fridges, freezers, microwaves and anything else included within the letting agreement should be PAT tested to ensure that they are completely safe. Don't worry though; you are not responsible for any items that your tenant brings in, only those pieces of equipment that are let out with the property.
Not all landlords and landladies bother with PAT testing their properties, but you should seriously consider it as you are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the properties that you let out.
Do I Need PAT Testing?
We have only considered three of the different organisations and locations that could require PAT testing; there are many others besides. It would take too long to list every different type of building that could benefit from this service, but suffice to say that if you have portable electrical appliances within your place of work, or within a building in which other people live or work where you are responsible for their safety, this is something that you should seriously consider.
The majority of PAT testing organisations will offer you a free quote so why not take advantage now and discover exactly how much it could cost to get your own appliances tested.
