The Importance of PAT Testing Your Commercial Premises
Simply put, portable appliance testing or PAT testing is a process carried out by a qualified electrician to check your electrical appliances and ensure they are safe to use. By carrying out visual inspections and using specialist equipment to perform the tests, the electrician should provide you with a pass or fail certificate afterwards for each of the appliances. They will also give you a report of any areas of concern. PAT tests basically ensure that your gadgets and devices are fit for purpose. They check things like earth continuity, lead polarity and insulation resistance. They should be carried out routinely to prevent any accidents in the workplace.
Why Are These Tests Important?
Particularly in commercial environments, there are usually lots of appliances in use at any given time. This could be anything from a phone charger to a large multifunctional printer. With this in mind, it’s advised that you arrange for your commercial property to be PAT tested every once in a while to protect your staff. It is not a legal obligation to have a PAT test, which is why lots of people neglect it. However, it’s an effective way to ensure your building is safe. Untested appliances are hazardous in any building and they have the potential to cause injury or a fire.
Not only will a PAT test ensure that your employees are safe, it will also reduce the risk of your appliances becoming damaged. Damaged appliances are often more costly to replace. However, just because your appliances have been tested, you should not allow your staff to become complacent. You will likely be held liable if a member of your staff becomes injured through the use of an unsafe device or appliance.
What to Expect from a PAT Test:
At Smart Electricians, we offer a friendly and professional PAT testing service to property owners in Sheffield and the surrounding areas. We will begin with a free, no obligation quote. This is based on the number of appliances you have and tailored to your requirements. We will maintain clear communication throughout the process and can provide this service out of hours if necessary. This means that we don’t necessarily have to disrupt your staff during the working day. Going forward, we then provide you with automatic reminders when your next test is due. Give us a call if you require help with your electrics.
