PAT Testing

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) strongly advises small businesses, letting agents, landlords, guesthouses and anyone else who lets furnished accommodation to seek independent advice as to who is responsible for the safety of electrical appliances supplied in the course of business. If you are a landlord or guesthouse and provide any electrical appliances (cookers, kettles, toasters, washing machines, immersion heaters, etc) as part of the tenancy, the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 requires that you ensure the appliances are safe to use when first supplied. Each time the property is relet, it will be classed as supplying to that tenant for the first time.

So you need to:

Check appliances for signs of damage:

1. cuts or abrasions to the cable covering
2. cracked casing or bent pins
3. loose parts and screws
4. overheating (burn marks)
5. the outer covering of the cable not being gripped where it enters the plug or equipment. Look to see if the coloured insulation of the internal wires is showing

It is recommended to carry out an annual formal inspection such as PAT testing. DGW Electrical can provide this service and will always include removal of the plug cover to check:

1. the cord grip is holding the outer part of the cable tightly
2. the wires, including the earth wire where fitted are attached to the correct terminals
3. no bare wire is visible other than at the terminals
4. the terminal screws are tight
5. there is no sign of internal damage, overheating or entry of liquid, dust or dirt

Most of these checks apply to extension leads and their plugs and sockets. But some faults cannot be detected in this way, such as lack of continuous earths, which for some equipment, is essential for safety. All earthed equipment should have an annual PAT test to look for faults. Combined inspection and testing should be carried out where there is reason to suspect the equipment may be faulty or damaged or contaminated, but where this cannot be confirmed by visual inspection. Combined testing should also be carried out after any repair or similar work to the equipment.

Extension leads warning

Use of extension leads should be avoided where possible. If used, they should be tested as portable appliances. It is recommended that 3-core leads (including a protective earthing conductor) be used. A standard 13 amp, 3-pin extension socket outlet with a 2-core cable should never be used even if the appliance is Class II (music system, TV and video), as it would not provide protection against electric shock if used at any time with an item of Class I (cookers, washing machines, refrigerators, irons, dishwashers).