TOP

THE LAW

TESTING PRICES

CONTACT US

PORTABLE APPLIANCE TESTING

Portable Appliance Testing is a procedure that looks at the safety of an electrical item by way of a visual inspection and an electrical test. Each item is recorded and records should be kept for the life of that equipment.

 

Importantly, checking starts with the user who should perform visual user checks prior to using any electrical appliance.

We can provide 1 hour long sessions in basic training to assist users with these important checks.

 

Formal visual and electrical safety testing is then carried out periodically by a competent tester. The recommended frequency of testing varies depending on the appliance type, its location and environment. (For example office equipment might only need checking every 5 years or on site appliances every 3 months). Our testers are City & Guilds 2377 qualified and will help you plan a program to ensure all your appliances are safe in accordance with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, insurance requirements and IET Code of Practice for the In Service Inspection and Testing of Portable Appliances.

 

You will be issued with an asset register detailing all appliances tested including test results and any comments or recommendations.

 

Appliances will be labelled and given a unique identification number.

 

WHAT THE LAW SAYS

There is no Law that says you shall have your electrical appliances tested but as a combination of the following legislation there is a need for Portable Appliance Testing.

 

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require, in Regulation 4(2), that:

 

As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, such danger.

 

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 puts a duty of care upon both the employer and the employee to ensure safety of all persons using the work premises. This includes the self-employed.

 

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 state:

 

Every employer shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of:

 

(a) the risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed while they are at work, and

 

(b) the risks to health and safety of persons not in his employment arising out of or in conjunction with the conduct by him of his undertaking (Regulation 3(1))

 

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 state:

 

Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is so constructed or adapted as to be suitable for the purpose for which it is used or provided (regulation 4(1)).

 

The scope of this legislation extends from distribution systems down to the smallest piece of electrical equipment such as a hair dryer, a computer screen, telephone or even in some situations battery operated equipment.

 

So who is responsible? Everyone has a responsibility. It is the duty of the employer and self-employed to comply with these Regulations as far as they are in his/her control and the duty of the employee to cooperate with the employer as they are in his/her control.

 

PAT PRICES

Popcorn Media charge a fixed £80 fee which includes the first 40 tests in and around the PE11 Postcode.

Each test after is charged at £2:00.

Incorrect plug top fuses changed for free.

Re-wiring of incorrect connections in the plug top is free.

Faulty plug tops replaced for £3:00 and retested for free.

Other replacements and repairs will be quoted for prior to work being carried out.

(We are happy to negotiate a maximum spend and work up to this limit.)

 

Prices assume all equipment to be tested is ready and available at the time of the visit.

Accessing items from a workplace and re-installing is charged at £2:00 per item.

Please contact us if you feel there may be difficulties with accessibility and availability of equipment.

 

Connecting cables (IEC etc.) and extension leads are tested separately to appliances and each count as an individual test.

 

Only appliances that are connected to the fixed installation by way of a plug will be tested.

 

All test results and certificate will be sent by way of a pdf document on receipt of payment.

 

Popcorn Media is registered for VAT in the UK. ALL prices on this site are subject to VAT at the prevailing rate - currently 20%

 

Please get in touch to discuss your forthcoming projects, ideas, events and questions.