What Important Things You Must Know About PAT Testing in London?

Posted by Trade Facilities Services on November 30th, 2019

PAT testing in London is one of the most overlooked steps in ensuring residential and commercial building safety. After all, the law does not require every landlord or business owner to have a PAT test certificate. So why should you get one?

While it's true that this test is not compulsory, it is highly recommended. Here's everything you must know about the importance of PAT testing.

Ensure your appliances are safe for use

PAT testing is the process of inspecting portable and non-portable electrical appliances through visual inspection, thorough testing, and other procedures. It is necessary because most electrical defects cannot be seen with the naked eye. If you don’t test and examine the electrical appliances carefully, some defects will go undetected, posing threats to you and your tenants' safety. Some of the defects that are hard to detect are insulation integrity, earth bonding and continuity, incorrect polarity, and excessive protective conductor current.

Comply with different safety regulations

Regulatory boards do not specifically require you to do PAT testing. Nevertheless, they advise you to do it, anyway. That's how you can show that your electrical appliances—especially those that comes with the residential and commercial properties you rent out—are safe. Also, doing PAT testing keeps you compliant with the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974, the Electricity at Work Regulations of 1989, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations of 1998, and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations of 1999.

Avoid penalties or costly fines

As the landlord, it is your responsibility to provide a safe space to your tenants. Failing to do so can mean having to pay hefty fines and face serious charges. For electrical-related accidents and non-compliance, you can be fined anywhere from £5,000 up to £20,000. The authorities can even have you imprisoned from up to six months to 2 years imprisonment, depending on the case and the degree of damages caused by your negligence.

The increasing number of electrical accidents caused by appliances

Recent reports show the alarming number of cases and electrical-related accidents at homes and in the offices caused by appliances. This is one of the biggest reasons why PAT testing in London is a must.

About the Author
I am James Livingstone the owner of Trade Facilities Services, we provide electrical certificates and electrical testing in London, Essex and Kent at reasonable and fair prices. The company is fully insured, and all electricians are qualified and are members of either NAPIT or the NICEIC. We believe in publishing the correct information for our consumers to ensure they get value for money.