Do I need a PAT Test?

Electrical faults are a leading cause of fires in the UK. Portable Appliance Testing – more commonly known as PAT is the term used to describe the examination of electrical appliances and equipment to ensure they are safe to use.

Is it a legal requirement to have a PAT?

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require that any electrical equipment that has the potential to cause injury is maintained in a safe condition, although, the Regulations do not specify what needs to be done, by whom or how frequently, therefore they do not make it a mandatory legal requirement in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, nor is it a legal requirement to undertake this annually – unless specified in a license condition. It is, however, required by law for the rest of Ireland. That being said, landlords are responsible for ensuring the safety of their electrical equipment provided for tenants and could be sued for negligence if they do not comply with this.

Landlords of housing of multiple occupancy (HMO) will need PAT to be licensed by the local council if they have a licensing scheme in place. How often should a PAT be undertaken?

How often should a PAT be undertaken?

PAT certificates are usually valid for six to twelve months, so must be updated depending on the expiry of the certificate.

Who can conduct a PAT?

It is advisable to use a qualified professional with the correct equipment for the job to conduct a PAT. This not only offers peace of mind that landlords are keeping the welfare of their tenants and their properties safe, but it also ensures full compliancy to regulators and insurers.

Should landlords ever have to test electrics?

Landlords should arrange an electrical safety check before their tenants move in, looking for signs of danger, such as frayed or cut leads, loose parts, or visible wires. They should also ensure that any electrical appliance in the property has not been recalled, and if so, to follow the manufacturer’s guidance.

If their rental property is a new build, or has been rewired, they will need to arrange a check every five years of the Electrical Installation Certificate’s (EIC) issue date.

What happens during a PAT?

PAT involves a series of safety checks that can help landlords meet the safety standards set out in regulations such as the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, to help landlords avoid lawsuits for negligence. The PAT should include three steps:

User checks – obvious signs of damage and potential risks. The tester must check the cable, the appliance, the mains socket, residual current device (RCD) checks, environmental check.

Visual inspection – According to the HSE, around 90% of electrical safety defects can be detected visually.

Manual examination – This requires a portable appliance tester which will test the appliance for earth continuity, lead polarity and insultation resistance, among other things and will show whether the appliance has passed or failed.

A sticker will then be placed on the tested appliance – green for a pass, red for a failure. Failed appliances must not be used, as these are considered dangerous, and it must either be disposed of (which would be the most advisable) or repaired by a professional. If the appliance has been repaired, it must pass another PAT before it is safe to use again.

What would cause an appliance to fail a PAT?

Some of the most common reasons for PAT fails are:

• Incorrect fuse
• Damage to plugs
• Leakage current

Smaller items are more likely to fail a PAT, as they are subject to wear and tear being portable. Chargers, for example are one of the most common appliances, due to their daily use and frequent transport.

What items are subject to PAT?

Portable electrical equipment falls into two categories; Class I and Class II, which depends on the type of protection they offer. These are tested in different ways.

Class I items – these are electrical appliances with an earth connection, which is a connection to the ground that prevents electric shock. It is the damage to this earth connection that presents a risk. A Class I appliance will have a metal earth pin.

Class II items – these are double-insulated to prevent contact with live parts. Class II items will have a plastic casing.

Common portable electrical equipment that is tested include:

• Hairdryers
• Kettles
• Toasters
• Heaters
• Laptops
• Desktop computers
• Extension leads
• Multi-way adaptors
• Connector leads
• Mobile phone chargers
• Drills
• Radios
• TVs

How can Proptech play a part in staying compliant?

Choosing the right property software can be an overwhelming task today, however, it is important to choose uncomplicated, time efficient and reliable software that works for you and your business – even for those who consider themselves novices to technology.

Choosing automation software with a scheduling and reminders system ensures that you stay FFHH compliant, so you never miss a deadline.

At KPR we understand the ever-changing demands of the industry and strive to address the issues agents and property owners face.

We have our own in-house development team with knowledge on modem technology and methodologies, that keep KPR software current, and always focusing on the next level.

If you’d like to find out how we can help you and your business, feel free to speak with our helpful team today!

0208 542 2333

hello@kpr.global