I am a Landlord renting out
properties to tenants who provide their own appliances, does PAT
testing apply to me?
Answer: Tenants who provide
their own electrical equipment are responsible for it. However,
have you considered that you are still be liable for any 'fixed'
equipment? For example, immersion heaters, cookers, washing machines
etc? They are not 'portable' but they are the responsibility of
the Landlord. Also, it's as well to consider the state of the fixed
wiring. If a tenant plugs equipment into a faulty socket, it's not
the tenant who will be held liable. Socket checks are as much a
part of the appliance testing procedure as any other piece of equipment.
I am a contractorworking
on various sites and I use my own equipment, does it need to be
tested?
Answer: Yes. Building sites
normally require you to provide evidence that your power tools are
PAT tested before they will allow you to use them on site. Working
on private contracts for private dwellings will leave you open to
liability if the homeowner or any other person gets injured by coming
into contact with your powered equipment
Why do my office printers need
any inspection at all? Surely they are not dangerous?
Answer: Office equipment that
uses mains power is potentially as dangerous as any other piece
of equipment. Having said that, it is true that the risk is reduced
compared to some appliances. Therefore some office equipment is
tested at longer intervals. The main thing with offices is that
it is common to find many appliances plugged into relatively few
sockets, by means of multiplugs and extension leads. The risks are
increased by using these. There should always be enough sockets
for the number of appliances, and the sockets should be checked
frequently for potential connection problems.
What 'paperwork' is provided
when I have appliances tested?
Answer: Wire Test Co. will
supply you with documentation in line with IEE guidelines. Firstly
you will be in receipt of an 'appliance register'. This can take
two forms, one for fixed appliances and one for portable appliances.
It lists all of the equipment that you presented for testing. Also
there will be a 'record of combined inspection and test'. This basically
lists each piece of equipment along with it's test result. Lastly,
there is the 'Certificate of testing'. A formal confirmation that
your organisation has had testing work carried out and that the
results listed in the 'record' are true and accurate.
After thetesting
work has been completed, will I be abandoned by WTC ?
Answer: NO! Not at all! WTC
are always available to provide free advice to customers and also
to automatically remind you when you are due to have your appliances
tested again. We believe in customer service and that good customer
service brings future work. We always try our hardest to help customers
before, during and after testing work has been carried out.
