Portable Appliance Testing Specialist

PATtest4U™ are specialists in the field of Portable Appliance Testing and always use The Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEE) suggested initial frequency of inspection and testing of equipment, as published in their Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment as a guide to their inspection and testing frequency.

The information on the suggested initial frequencies given below is more detailed and specific that the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) guidance, but is not considered to be inconsistent with it.

The following is the IEE’s Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment suggested initial frequency of inspection and testing of equipment for Offices and Shops.

Please be advised of the various notes associated with the above-mentioned table.

Frequency of inspection and testing

The relevant requirement of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 is that equipment shall be maintained so as to prevent danger.  Inspection and testing are means of determining whether maintenance is required. The frequency of inspection and testing will depend upon the likelihood of maintenance being required and the consequence of lack of maintenance.  No rigid guideline can be laid down, but factors influencing the decision include the following:

• The environment – equipment installed in a benign environment, such as an office, will suffer less damage than equipment in an arduous environment, such as a construction site.
• The users – if the users of equipment 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 are required.
• The equipment construction -  the
• The equipment type – an

Source: Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment