PAT Testing – How it helps with electrical compliance
Testing of Electrical Equipment – PAT Testing is the process by which electrical appliances are routinely checked to determine whether the equipment is in safe order and fit for continued use or if maintenance or a replacement is necessary. This ensures the electrical compliance of your property.
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 puts a duty of care upon both employer and employee to ensure the safety of all persons using the work premises.
PAT (Portable appliance testing) – HSE’s answers to popular questions
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 require every employer to ensure that equipment is suitable for the use for which it is provided.
Depending upon the type of equipment and the environment that is used the recommendations for the frequency of inspection and testing do vary, this is something that our experienced team can advise you on.
All items need testing individually and this means if the power cable is removable then this will need its own PAT Test, the same for extensions and adapters.
EICR
The Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is a way of ensuring that an electrical installation meets The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and maintains the electrical compliance standards.
This is done by checking and testing the installation, as well as Fixed Wire Testing, Periodic Inspection and Testing, Electrical Testing, or Hard Wire Testing.
Electrical Installation Condition Reports are a way of ensuring you meet The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 which is the law.
Electrical inspection and testing – Electrical safety at work
The purpose of the inspection is to identify any issues with your electrical equipment, such as wear and tear, overloaded circuits, corrosion, or environmental damage.
It is important to keep electrical systems and equipment in safe working condition. Regular inspections, such as an EICR, can help ensure that they are safe.
Organisations such as licensing authorities, public bodies, insurance companies, mortgage lenders, or others may request a fixed wire test.
As a guide, BS 7671 recommends that landlords should have an EICR test once every 5 years or when there is a change of tenancy. New regulations brought into force mean it is now essential for every rental property to have a current EICR certificate by April 2021. Under UK laws businesses must have an EICR report and this is required every 5 years. Emergency lights must also be up to date.
Emergency Lights
Emergency lights are self-contained units that are wired into the mains but have the benefit of battery backup which enables them to remain on should the mains power fail.
The batteries can either be carried within the body of the individual light or accessed by lights via an independent wired circuit. The batteries are kept charged via the mains.
All emergency lighting must be maintained and regularly tested in the same way as other emergency equipment. Each light should be identified and have a location identity for recordkeeping.
A record log can then be kept of system tests, defects, any damage to the system and remedial action relating to each light.
Since 2005, and the introduction of the Fire Regulation Reform Order, the legal imperative for installing emergency lighting systems is the same as for fire alarm systems and firefighting equipment.
The risk-assessment-based regime requires employers to take action to prevent fires and protect against death and injury of employees and relevant persons, should a fire occur.
This was the same duty imposed on employers by the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1999, but under the Order, the duty extends beyond workplaces to include all non-domestic premises to which employees or/and relevant persons have access.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
3 hours Emergency Lighting Test
Lighting Level Assessment (when Photometric data is not available)
Inspection of Emergency Lighting Luminaire lamps and batteries
Cleaning of Emergency Lighting Luminaires
Inspection of Emergency Signage
Maintaining Emergency Lighting Logbook
Emergency Lighting Test Certificate
Our Emergency Light Testing service will uncover any issues that need to be rectified so that you can keep your property, staff and clients safe.
The Emergency Light Testing service will ensure your system is BS 5266 compliant.
