Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) is the routine inspection and testing of electrical appliances to verify they are safe to use. It involves a visual check for damage and a series of electrical tests on portable devices (like kettles, computers, power tools) to detect faults or wear that could cause shocks or fires.
There is no blanket law in the UK that mandates PAT testing at set intervals for every situation. However, UK regulations do require that electrical equipment be maintained in a safe condition. In practice, regular PAT testing is the widely accepted method to meet this obligation
Additionally, many employers and landlords must have an annual PAT schedule (or more frequently for high-risk equipment) as part of their safety policy or insurance terms.
Faulty appliances can lead to electric shock, burns, or house/workplace fires. Regular PAT checks help prevent electrical accidents by catching problems early. You get a documented safety record that shows you’ve taken precautions – this is crucial for legal compliance, protecting people (tenants, employees, customers), and satisfying insurance requirements (insurers often view PAT records as evidence of risk management).
In the UK, PAT divides electrical appliances into different classes based on their construction and safety features. The two most common are Class 1 and Class 2.
Offices, Shops and Hotels – Class 1 equipment including stationary and IT equipment should be tested every 48 months. Moveable equipment such as extension leads and portable equipment should be tested every 24 months. Handheld equipment should be tested every 12 months.
Schools – All Class 1 equipment in schools should be PAT tested every 12 months. Class 2 equipment should be tested every 48 months.
Public Use Equipment – Stationary and IT equipment such as computers should be tested every 12 months. Moveable, Portable and Handheld equipment falling into Class 2 should be tested every 12 months. Moveable, Portable and Handheld equipment falling into Class 1 should be tested every 6 months.
Construction – All 110V equipment used on construction sites should be tested every 3 months.
Industrial – All industrial sites, including commercial kitchens should have Portable and Handheld equipment tested every 6 months. Stationary, IT and Moveable equipment should be tested every 12 months.
Source https://www.pat.org.uk/
The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 requires any provided electrical equipment to be safe at the start of the tenancy and maintained to a safe condition. While PAT testing itself isn’t explicitly mandated by law in England and Wales, it is a common and practical way to meet this legal obligation.
In Scotland, PAT testing is a legal requirement for landlords – all portable appliances in rented homes must be tested regularly, with reports provided to tenants.
Failing to properly maintain electrical items can also impact your landlord insurance. Many insurance companies expect regular PAT testing, and some policies even require it as part of their terms. If an electrical fire or accident occurs and you have no PAT testing records, you might find your insurance claim denied for negligence. Keeping up with PAT tests demonstrates risk reduction, which can help keep premiums lower and ensure any claims are processed smoothly.
Keeping on top of electrical safety protects tenants and your property investment.
Authorities can impose hefty penalties for breaching safety duties – for example, fines up to £5,000 per safety violation (and even criminal charges in extreme cases) have been cited for landlords who flout electrical safety rules.
Moreover, you may be sued for negligence, face costly compensation claims, or be unable to evict problem tenants if your property is deemed unsafe. Ignoring PAT testing seriously exposes you to legal, financial, and reputational damage.
Employers and business owners must keep electrical equipment in safe working order as part of workplace safety laws.
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 requires that any electrical appliance with potential to cause injury is maintained safely. These laws don’t specify “PAT testing” or set a fixed testing schedule, but in practice, performing regular PAT tests is the safest way to comply with the duty to maintain equipment. If you have staff or customers using electrical devices, you should implement a PAT testing program at appropriate intervals. High-risk environments (construction sites, workshops, kitchens) typically need more frequent testing than low-risk settings like offices, based on risk assessment.
Business insurance policies often take electrical maintenance into account. Some insurers explicitly require evidence of PAT testing as part of coverage. Even when not stated outright, having up-to-date PAT certificates can be a lifesaver if you ever need to make an insurance claim after an electrical incident. It proves you took reasonable precautions. Conversely, if an accident occurs and you’ve skipped PAT testing, insurers may increase your premiums or even refuse coverage for negligence
A single electrical injury at work can trigger an HSE (Health and Safety Executive) investigation, which may lead to enforcement notices or prosecution under the safety laws. Penalties for breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act or Electricity at Work regulations can include substantial fines (potentially unlimited for serious offenses) and even imprisonment for responsible individuals in the worst cases.
A preventable electrical fire could also destroy expensive equipment or stock, halt your business for repairs, and damage your reputation. Litigation from injured employees or customers are another risk - often far more costly than the price of regular PAT testing.
Hiring a qualified PAT testing electrician helps ensure the testing is done by the book. Professionals stay up-to-date with UK safety standards and will know how to test each type of appliance correctly. They also provide reports, labels or certificates for the items tested, giving you proof that you’ve complied with your legal duties. This can be invaluable if you’re ever audited or need to demonstrate due diligence in court. Having PAT tests performed by a professional can serve as solid evidence of your compliance and safety efforts and reduces the risk of faulty appliances being missed. Using a professional gives you confidence that nothing is missed and that the results are reliable.
If an incident ever occurs, you can show that you took all reasonable precautions by having a competent person test and approve the equipment. This can significantly protect you from claims of negligence.
It also means the correct paperwork and labelling is done for each appliance.
In the UK, PAT testing is important for both landlords and business owners to uphold electrical safety. Even if not explicitly demanded by statute in every case, it effectively becomes necessary to meet your broader legal obligations and moral duties. You are also taking proactive steps to prevent hazards before they happen.
Address any faults immediately and engage a professional PAT tester to ensure the job is done right – it’s an investment in safety and peace of mind that no responsible business owner or landlord should overlook.
The cost and effort of periodic testing are small compared to the potential costs of an electrical tragedy or litigation from non-compliance.