NST ELECTRICAL
PAT ELECTRICAL SAFTEY TESTING
TEL 07861651900
About PAT Testing
PAT testing or portable appliance testing is an important part of any health & safety policy.
This is intended as a guide to both the legal implications and to the technical requirements.
The Health & Safety Executive states that 25% of all reportable electrical accidents involve portable appliances. The Electricity at Work Regulations place a legal responsibility on employers, employees and self-employed persons to comply with the provisions of the regulations and take reasonably practicable steps to ensure that no danger results from the use of such equipment. This in effect requires the implementation of a systematic and regular program of maintenance, inspection and testing. The Health & Safety at Work Act (1974) places such an obligation in the following circumstances:
1. Where appliances are used by employees.
2. Where the public may use appliances in establishments such as
hospitals, schools, hotels, shops etc.
3. Where appliances are supplied or hired.
4. Where appliances are repaired or service.
What are portable appliances?
As a consensus of opinion portable appliances are:
Hand held whilst being connected to the electical supply.
Intended to be moved whilst connected to the electical supply.
Capable of being moved without undue difficulty whilst connected to the electical supply.
Portable appliance
An appliance of less than 18kg in mass that is intended to be moved whilst in operation or an appliance which can easily be moved from one place to another, e.g. vacuum cleaner, toaster, kettle, or this desk lamp.
Movable equipment (Transportable)
Inlcudes un fixed equipment of 18kg or less in weight and intended to be moved from one location to another, for example a portable electric fire.
This quipment may be provided with castors, wheels or other means to assist movement by the operator for example this mobile air conditioning unit.
Hand Held equipment
This is portable equipment intended to be held in the hand during normal use, for example this soldering iron or a hair drier.
Stationary equipment
This equipment has a weight exceeding 18kg and is not provided with a carrying handle, e.g. refrigerator or this drinks vending machine. In commercial environments such as shops you often have large freezer cabinets which fall into this category.
Fixed Equipment
This is equipment or appliance which is fastened in a specific location for example in this picture of a hand drier. In a hotel environment particulalry there are often hair driers or kettles are hard wired into a fused spur.
Built in Equipment
This equipment is intended to be installed in a prepared space such as a kitchen cupboard designed to accpet it. Usually such equipment has addiotnal protection from electric shock by the fact that all sides of the equipement are not accessible. For example a built in electric cooker, dishwasher or refrigerator.
Information Technology (IT) Equipment
IT equipment includes the usual mains powered electronic business equipment such as computers, monitors, fax machines and photo copiers.
IF ANY OF THESE APPLYS TO YOU THEN YOU
NEED US!!!
FOR A RISK FREE NO QUIBBLE QUOTE PHONE US ON 07861651900 OR EMAIL
nstelectrical@yahoo.co.uk
