Frequency of Testing
(The tables listed at the base of this page are for guidance only)
Who is Responsible?
It should be noted, that legally, it is the Duty Holder's responsibility for a risk assessment to be carried out of all electrical equipment used in the place of work, that is provided for work purposes, or is used by the public, and that electrical equipment & appliances are safe to use in the environment for which they were intended..
Determining the frequency of electrical equipment safety inspections can be a daunting prospect for the Duty Holder, especially as the legal responsibilities place the burden on their shoulders.
This can be a an unwanted burden for small business owners without their own electrical inspection teams and the recent changes to the IET's Codes of Practice (5th Edition September 2020), has made that even more daunting, as the guide to re-test periods have been removed.
Who is a Duty Holder?
So, who is a Duty Holder? They are the person or (manager), appointed or contracted to inspect, test, repair or replace the electrical equipment used in their business or area they are in charge of and must make sure it is safe to use.
This is where MJ PAT Testing can assist businesses meet their legal responsibilities, as when appointed, we can test the electrical equipment and ensure it is safe to use, plus we can offer in addition, a risk assessment and advise the business on re-test dates based on their unique business needs.
Retest Dates & Risk Assessment?
The risk assessment should include all mains powered equipment and battery powered equipment - so battery powered hair clippers, drills, fixed hand dryers, cookers and 3 phase equipment are part of the risk assessment.
A risk assessment should also determine how often you have your appliances PAT tested / electrical equipment safety tested. The Duty Holder should bear in mind a few different factors in the risk assessment: the risk of damage that could lead to personal injury or loss (e.g. electrocution or fire).
Therefore, equipment that is used often should be tested more frequently, as this equipment is likely to suffer more damage than that used less regularly.
The type of equipment it is, also determines the PAT testing / electrical equipment safety testing frequency e.g. hand held appliances are more likely to become damaged than those that are stationary. Class 1 appliances carry a greater risk of danger and therefore should be tested more often.
In Summary
How often does equipment need to be tested exactly? That can only be determined by carrying out a risk assessment that is unique for your business.
In addition to PAT testing, MJ PAT Testing are happy to carry out a risk assessment on your behalf for all your electrical equipment, as your appointed Duty Holder for an additional fee.
The tables below are 'NOT'
definitive testing periods and are to act as a reference point ONLY
Each Business is 'unique' and will have its own Test Periods that may be considerably or longer shorter than those indicated.
It also does not take into account insurance requirements, where insurers are requiring annual testing as part of issuing the policy
Offices, Shops, Hotels and Nursing Homes
| Type of Equipment | Formal Visual Inspections | Combined Inspection and Testing | Formal Visual Inspections | Combined Inspection and Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class I | Class II | |||
| Stationary | Every 24 Months | Every 60 Months | Every 24 Months | None |
| IT | Every 24 Months | Every 60 Months | Every 24 Months | None |
| Moveable | Every 12 Months | Every 24 Months | Every 24 Months | None |
| Portable | Every 12 Months | Every 24 Months | Every 24 Months | None |
| Handheld | Every 12 Months | Every 24 Months | Every 12 Months | None |
| Fixed | Every 24 Months | Every 48 months | Every 24 Months | None |
Schools / Education
| Type of Equipment | Formal Visual Inspections | Combined Inspection and Testing | Formal Visual Inspections | Combined Inspection and Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class I | Class II | |||
| Stationary | None | Every 12 Months | Every 12 months | Every 48 Months |
| IT | None | Every 12 Months | Every 12 Months | Every 48 Months |
| Moveable | Every Term | Every Year | Every Term | Every 4 Years |
| Portable | Every 6 Months | Every 12 Months | Every 12 Months | Every 48 Months |
| Handheld | Every 6 Months | Every 12 Months | Every 12 Months | Every 48 Months |
| Fixed | Every 12 Months | Every 36 months | Every 12 Months | Every 48 months |
Equipment Used By The Public
| Type of Equipment | Formal Visual Inspections | Combined Inspection and Testing | Formal Visual Inspections | Combined Inspection and Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class I | Class II | |||
| Stationary | Every Month | Every 12 Months | Every 12 months | Every 24 Months |
| IT | Every Month | Every 12 Months | Every 12 months | Every 24 Months |
| Moveable | Every Week | Every 6 months | Every 6 Months | Every 12 Months |
| Portable | Every Week | Every 6 months | Every 6 Months | Every 12 Months |
| Handheld | Every Week | Every 6 Months | Every 6 Months | Every 12 Months |
| Fixed | Every 12 Months | Every 36 months | Every 12 Months | Every 36 months |
Factories, Workshops and Commercial Kitchens
| Type of Equipment | Formal Visual Inspections | Combined Inspection and Testing | Formal Visual Inspections | Combined Inspection and Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class I | Class II | |||
| Stationary | None | Every 2 Years | None | Every 2 Years |
| IT | None | Every 2 Years | None | Every 2 Years |
| Moveable | Every 6 Months | Every Year | Every 6 Months | Every 2 Years |
| Portable | Every 6 Months | Every 12 months | Every 6 Months | Every 12 months |
| Handheld | Every 6 Months | Every 12 months | Every 6 Months | Every 12 months |
| Fixed | Every 12 Months | Every 24 months | Every 12 Months | Every 48 months |
Construction Sites
| Type of Equipment | Formal Visual Inspections | Combined Inspection and Testing | Formal Visual Inspections | Combined Inspection and Testing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class I | Class II | |||
| Stationary | Every Month | Every 3 Months | Every Month | Every 3 Months |
| IT | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Moveable | Every Month | Every 3 Months | Every Month | Every 3 Months |
| Portable | Every Month | Every 3 Months | Every Month | Every 3 Months |
| Handheld | Every Month | Every 3 Months | Every Month | Every 3 Months |