CROYDON PAT TESTING INFORMATION AND FAQS

Why Choose Croydon PAT Testing

Free quotations
Fully Qualified and Professional Service
Certificate issued same day (Once payment has been received)
We test according to the IEC Code of Practice
Site Surveys available
Reliable and friendly service
Latest industry technology and methods used to ensure efficient and reliable testing
Out of hours and evening testing
Free advice
Fully Qualified engineers
Free minor repairs
Fully insured
We've been in the industry for over 10 years with plenty of experience and knowledge
Our engineers take pride in their work

Extra Services We Offer

Why do I need to have my equipment EET / PAT Tested

EET / PAT testing is a crucial and worthwhile exercise to ensure that your electrical items are safe to be used.
Insurance Policies will often require EET / PAT Testing to be completed.
The Health and Safety executive requires EET / PAT testing to be completed on electrical equipment.
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 make it your responsibility to ensure that your electrical equipment is safe and compliant.

What do I receive with my EET / PAT Test ?

Once payment has been made we will email you a EET / PAT Test completion certificate with an appliance register in PDF format. This will show all items tested on the day.
Once payment is cleared we will then issue you your certification and register.
If you are paying with card, cash, Bacs or Paypal we will then send out your certificate on the same day.

EET / PAT testing for businesses

Whether you are a large multi-national business or small business If you use electrical equipment you have a legal responsibility to ensure that it is safe. We can test your equipment quickly and professionally with minimal disruption.

What if I need my testing done after hours ?

We can offer an out of hours service. It is not always possible for you to have your PAT / EET Testing carried out during your office hours. Please contact us if you require an out of office test. There maybe an additional charge for this.

How often do I need to have my items EET / PAT tested ?

Most EET / PAT tests are valid for 12 months. But could be for a longer period depending on type of business and equipment.
110v site equipment should be tested every 3 months.
Some industrial equipment including commercial kitchens should be tested every 6 months.
Landlords should have premises tested every 12 months or according to your local council guidelines.
You should be carrying out visual inspections on your appliances every time you use this item. Check for any exposed wires to the plug, damage to the plug or damage to the appliance.
If you are unsure on how long the testing period should be please check with your health and safety officer.

IS IT PAT TESTING OR EET TESTING ?

You may have heard of the term PAT Testing or more recently the term EET Testing.

EET Testing means: Electrical Equipment Testing. Within the new IET 5th Edition Code of Practice for the In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment comes a range of changes such as the change in name from PAT Testing (Portable Appliance Testing) to EET Testing (Electrical Equipment Testing).

The phrase PAT Testing is still widely used and recognised as the name for electrical testing as it has been this way for many years.

EET Testing will gradually take over and replace the phrase PAT testing.

Get in contact with us for free advice to do with PAT / EET Testing.

What are the different types of appliances ?

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, food mixer, etc.
Movable equipment (transportable)

This equipment is either:
18 kg or less in mass and not fixed, e.g. electric fire. or
Equipment with wheels, castors or other means to facilitate movement by the operator as required to perform its intended use, e.g. air conditioning unit

Hand Held equipment or appliances

This is portable equipment intended to be held in the hand during normal use, e.g. hair dryer.
Stationary equipment or appliances

This equipment has a mass exceeding 18kg and is not provided with a carrying handle, e.g. refrigerator.

Fixed Equipment/appliances

This equipment or an appliance which is fastened to a support or otherwise secured in a specific location, e.g. bathroom heater.
Appliances/equipment for building in

This equipment is intended to be installed in a prepared recess such as a cupboard or similar. In general, equipment for building in does not have exposure on all sides because one or more of the sides, additional protection against electrical shock is provided by the surroundings, e.g. built in electric cooker.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is EICR testing

It is an in-depth assessment of your property's electrical systems and installation carried out by an electrical installation condition report (EICR). The competence of your electrics is evaluated in three main areas, as detailed in the report:

C1 - This implies a hazard and that quick action is required to avoid further damage.

C2 - This implies that there is a possibility for danger and that you should seek immediate care.

Although the electrical system does not seem to be in danger, the C3 rating nonetheless suggests that the electrical system be improved.

How do you know if you need an EICR

Electrical systems degrade with wear and ageing over time. If they are not examined regularly, they might pose a concern; inadequately insulated wiring can generate deadly electrical shorts, while defective wiring and appliances can cause electrical fires.
So, whether you're a company owner, landlord, or homeowner, it's critical that you do frequent inspections on the state of your property's electrics.
The IET Wiring Regulations BS 7671, which establishes the standard for electrical installations in the United Kingdom, proposed the following:
Owners of businesses should get an EICR exam every five years.
Landlords should also have an EICR test every five years or if there is a tenancy change.
Homeowners should have an EICR test performed every ten years unless the property contains a swimming pool, in which case your electrics should be examined annually.

What are the consequences of not having an EICR

Although having an up-to-date EICR is not currently a legal requirement, landlords and company owners are legally liable for the wellbeing of their tenants and workers.
EICRs should not be neglected by anybody considering purchasing a home. Checking to see whether a property has an up-to-date EICR before handing a seller money might have fatal consequences.

WHAT IS AN EVACUATION PLAN

An evacuation plan specifies how to escape a building in the event of an emergency safely. Everyone in your business should be acquainted with your property evacuation plan in the event of a fire, carbon monoxide leak, flooding, earthquake, or other catastrophes.

WHAT IS THE OBJECTIVE OF AN EVACUATION PLAN

An emergency evacuation plan outlines the processes required in the event of a sudden or unexpected occurrence. The goal is to be prepared to do the following:

Preventing deaths and injuries is essential.

Reduce the amount of damage done to buildings, inventory, and equipment.

Protect the environment and the people who live in it.

Increase the speed with which a business may resume regular operations.

WHAT IS A FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT

A fire risk assessment should assist you in identifying all of the fire dangers and risks that exist in your facility or workplace. You will then be able to determine if the dangers highlighted are tolerable or whether you need to take action to mitigate or control the risks identified.

If your company employs five or more people, you are required to retain a written record of your fire risk assessment.

A Fire Risk Assessment includes:

Determine the potential fire threats.

Identify those who are in danger.

Risks should be evaluated, eliminated, or reduced.

Compile your results, develop an emergency plan, and teach those who may be affected.

Fire risk assessments should be reviewed and updated regularly.

WHAT IS A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TEST, AND DOES MY BUSINESS NEED IT

Service and maintenance of fire extinguishers by trained professionals is a vital component of any fire prevention system. Therefore, it is the obligation of the company owner or other responsible party to arrange for regular fire extinguisher servicing.

BS 5306-3:2009 recommends that fire extinguishers be serviced once a year. Inspecting the fire extinguisher for corrosion, partial or total discharge, and other issues is part of the standard servicing routine. For precise information on repairing and recharging, it is recommended that you consult the manufacturer's recommendations and instructions. In addition, qualified engineers should inform the user of any fire extinguishers judged unsafe for use and removed out of service immediately.

DIFFERENT CLASS MEANINGS

Class 1

Combination of insulation and an earth connection, So Insulation Resistance and Earth Continuity tests are carried out.

Class 2 or Double Insulated

Do not have an earth connection and only Insulation Resistance tests are carried out.

Class 3

Generally Class 3 equipment will not require PAT testing

IEC Leads And Extension Leads

Test for Earth Continuity, Insulation Resistance, and Polarity.

Visual Inspection

The visual inspection should take place prior to any electrical testing.