Commonly referred to as Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), the requirements for electrical equipment to be regular inspected and tested to ensure it is safe to use have been extended to include the following items:
- Mobile Equipment (desk lights, toasters, fan heaters, microwaves, kettles)
- Stationary Equipment (washing machines, vending machines)
- Fixed Equipment (stage lighting, hand dryers, boilers, projectors)
- Hand-held Equipment (floor polishers, vacuum cleaners, power tools)
- Built-in Appliances (dishwashers, fridges)
- I.T. Equipment (computers, printers)
- Extension Leads
- Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment
- Electrical Installations in Office Furniture
The following UK Statutory Legislation exists around equipment testing in general and forms the main requirements for equipment testing in the U.K.
The Health and Safety at Work Act (1974)
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (1999)
The Electricity at Work Regulations (1989)
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (1998)
Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations (1992)
Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations (1994)
Supply of Goods and Services Act (1982)
Plugs and Sockets, etc. (Safety) Regulations (1994)
Also See: Code of Practice for the In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment
The Hall Manager is the designated Duty Holder and is responsible for ensuring that the electrical equipment at Benenden Village Hall is safe to use and regularly inspected and tested including:
- User Check
- Formal Visual Inspection
- Earth Bond / Continuity Test (for Class I equipment and cables, etc.)
- Insulation Resistance Test
- Leakage Test
- Polarity Test
- Polarity Test (for cables / flexes)
- Functional Test
- RCD Trip Test
- Microwave leakage test (microwave ovens)
- Check Mains Sockets
User checks should be completed prior to using any item of electrical equipment whereas formal inspection and testing is undertaken on a risk assessed item by item basis. A register of electrical equipment and details of inspection & testing undertaken is maintained by the hall manager which hirers are welcome to view.
Benenden Village Hall owns the relevant calibrated testing equipment for completing inspection & testing of electrical equipment. The hall manager has undertaken the appropriate training and is certified as competent to complete the inspection and testing.
All electrical equipment brought into the hall must have been tested and be certified as being safe to use. Benenden Village Trust does not accept any responsibility for equipment belonging to the hirer, or a third party, used in the hall during a booking, nor any damage however caused. Such equipment is the sole responsibility of the hirer.
Any third-party or companies such as caterers, bouncy castle / inflatable suppliers must ensure that any electrical equipment brought into the hall has been appropriately tested and is safe to use. It is the responsibility of the hirer to confirm that this is complied with.
Do not operate or touch any electrical equipment where there are signs of damage, exposure of components or water penetration and bring to the attention of the hall manager.
Further advice is available from the Hall Manager.
LABELLING OF EQUIPMENT
Items of electrical equipment that have been tested will be labelled with information to identify the item with a unique reference number, the date it was tested and the initials / name of the person that completed the test. Different designs of labels can be used but the below are typical examples.
A green label is used to identify an item that has been inspected & tested and has passed.
A red label is used to identify an item that has been inspected & tested and has failed.
An item that has failed the inspection / test must be taken out of service to prevent it from being used and, if possible, moved to a secure location.
ELECTRICAL SOCKETS
All electrical sockets have been tested and labelled with a number (S1-S45) with a corresponding register, maintained by the hall manager, containing details of testing.
Issues with any electrical sockets should be brought to the attention of the hall manager quoting the location of the socket together with its number.
