DB PAT Testing - Inspection Frequency

PAT Testing - Frequency of PAT Inspections
In arriving at a judgement as to the frequency of testing, one is likely to assess the following factors:-

The environment - equipment installed in a benign environment will suffer less damage than equipment in an arduous environment
Users - if the users report damage as and when it becomes evident, hazards will be avoided. Conversely, if equipment is likely to receive unreported abuse, more frequent inspection and testing is required

The IEE Code of Practice gives comprehensive information on the frequency of inspection and testing of equipment, such as:

			Class 1		Class 2
Type Of Premises	Type of Equipment (1)	User Checks (2)	Formal Visual Inspection (3)	Combined Inspection And Testing Note (5)	Formal Visual Inspection (3)	Combined Inspection And Testing Note (5)
Construction Sites 110V Equipment	S	None	1 Month	3 Months	1 Month	3 Months
	IT	None	1 Month	3 Months	1 Month	3 Months
	M	Weekly	1 Month	3 Months	1 Month	3 Months
	P	Weekly	1 Month	3 Months	1 Month	3 Months
	H	Weekly	1 Month	3 Months	1 Month	3 Months
Industrial Including Commercial Kitchens	S	Weekly	None	12 Months	None	12 Months
	IT	Weekly	None	12 Months	none	12 Months
	M	Before Use	1 Month	12 Months	3 Months	12 Months
	P	Before Use	1 Month	6 Months	3 Months	6 Months
	H	Before Use	1 Month	6 Months	3 Months	6 Months
Equpiment Used by the Public	S	Note (6) +	Monthly	12 Months	3 Months	12 Months
	IT	Note (6) +	Monthly	12 Months	3 Months	12 Months
	M	Note (6) +	Weekly	6 Months	1 Month	12 Months
	P	Note (6) +	Weekly	6 Months	1 Month	12 Months
	H	Note (6) +	Weekly	6 Months	1 Month	12 Months
Schools	S	Weekly +	None	12 Months	12 Months	48 Months
	IT	Weekly +	None	12 Months	12 Months	48 Months
	M	Weekly +	4 Months	12 Months	4 Months	48 Months
	P	Weekly +	4 Months	12 Months	4 Months	48 Months
	H	Before Use	4 Months	12 Months	4 Months	48 Months
Hotels	S	None	24 Months	48 Months	24 Months	48 Months
	IT	None	24 Months	48 Months	24 Months	48 Months
	M	Weekly	12 Months	24 Months	24 Months	24 Months
	P	Weekly	12 Months	24 Months	24 Months	24 Months
	H	Before Use	6 Months	12 Months	12 Months	24 Months
Offices and Shops	S	None	24 Months	48 Months	24 Months	48 Months
	IT	None	24 Months	48 Months	24 Months	48 Months
	M	Weekly	12 Months	24 Months	12 Months	24 Months
	P	Weekly	12 Months	24 Months	12 Months	24 Months
	H	Before Use	6 Months	12 Months	12 Months	24 Months

Key
S	Stationary Equipment
IT	Information Technology Equipment
M	Movable Equipment
P	Portable Equipment
H	Hand Held Equipment

Notes
2	User checks are not recorded unless a fault is found
3	The formal visual inspecton may form part of combined inspection and test when they coincide, and are recorded
4	If the class of equipment is not kown it must be tested as a class 1 appliance
5	The results of combined inspection and tests are recorded
6	For some equipment such as children's rides
+	By supervisor / teacher / member of staff