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how often should pat testing be done

Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) doesn’t have a single fixed legal interval; it should be done as often as needed based on risk – type of appliance, how hard it’s used, and the environment it’s in.

Quick Scoop

  • There is no one-size-fits-all legal rule like “every year for everything”.
  • UK guidance (HSE, IET, industry bodies) pushes a risk-based schedule , not blanket annual testing.
  • Low‑risk office IT may only need testing every 1–2 (sometimes up to 4) years, with regular visual checks in between.
  • High‑risk environments (construction sites, busy industrial areas, public‑use equipment) often need checks every 3–12 months.
  • You should document your rationale (risk assessment, environment, history of faults) so you can justify your PAT intervals to insurers or inspectors.

How often should PAT testing be done?

Think of PAT testing as part of ongoing electrical safety, not a date on the calendar. The interval depends mainly on:

  • How likely the item is to get damaged (portable/handheld vs fixed).
  • Where it’s used (clean office vs workshop vs construction site).
  • Who uses it (trained staff vs general public).

Current best practice in the UK can be summarised like this (these are typical recommendations, not strict laws):

1. Offices, shops, low‑risk workplaces

  • Desktop PCs, monitors, other stationary Class I/II office IT: about every 1–2 years , some guidance allows up to 4 years if risk is very low and user checks are in place.
  • Printers, copiers, similar IT: roughly 24–48 months , depending on usage and environment.
  • Extension leads and portable chargers: about every 12–24 months (12 months is common).
  • Handheld or frequently moved equipment: usually every 12 months because it’s more prone to damage.
  • Small office kitchen appliances (kettles, microwaves, toasters): around every 6–12 months.

2. Schools and public‑use environments

  • Class I equipment in schools: about every 12 months.
  • Class II equipment (double‑insulated): roughly every 48 months , if risk is low.
  • Equipment available to the general public (libraries, hotels, community centres): stationary IT often every 12 months , portable/handheld items every 6–12 months , depending on class and wear.

3. Industrial sites, workshops, commercial kitchens

  • Portable and handheld tools in industrial settings and commercial kitchens: typically every 6 months.
  • Stationary, IT and moveable industrial equipment: usually every 12 months.

These environments are harsher – heat, moisture, vibration, dust – so damage and insulation failure are more likely, and test intervals are shorter.

4. Construction sites

  • 110 V tools and other site equipment: commonly every 3 months , plus very frequent visual checks by users.

Construction is considered one of the highest‑risk categories for portable equipment because tools are heavily used, often in wet and dirty conditions.

Simple risk‑based way to decide your interval

A practical approach many UK businesses use today is:

  1. Do a basic risk assessment
    • Identify each item (Class I vs Class II, handheld vs fixed).
 * Note environment (dry office, school, public area, workshop, site).

 * Check history of damage, repairs or failures.
  1. Set starting intervals (example pattern, to be adjusted):
    • Low‑risk office IT: 24 months (stretch to 48 only with good controls).
 * Office extension leads and portable equipment: 12–24 months.

 * Workshop/industrial portable tools: 6–12 months.

 * Construction tools: 3 months.
  1. Review and adjust
    • If you see very few issues, you may lengthen intervals gradually (within guidance).
    • If you see repeated damage or a rough environment, shorten intervals.
  1. Keep records
    • Document equipment details, environment, user, usage and condition, plus why you chose each interval.
 * This helps with audits, insurance and demonstrating that your schedule is **reasoned** , not arbitrary.

Mini FAQ: what most people really want to know

  • Is PAT testing legally required every year?
    No. Law requires equipment to be safe; annual PAT testing for everything is not a legal requirement, it’s just a common rough practice some companies still use.
  • Can I extend intervals for very low‑risk items?
    Yes, if your risk assessment, history, and environment support that, and you have user checks in place.
  • What if I hardly ever PAT test?
    If there is an accident and you cannot show a sensible inspection and testing regime, you may struggle to prove you met your safety duties.

  • What’s a good “default” if I’m unsure?
    For a typical small office with normal use:

    • IT and stationary equipment: every 1–2 years.
    • Extension leads, kettles, portable items: every 12 months.
      Then tweak up or down based on experience and advice from a competent person.

SEO bits (for your post)

  • Main focus keyword: “how often should pat testing be done” used naturally across headings and body text.
  • You can lean into recent “risk-based PAT” trends in UK safety practice and mention that guidance now emphasises tailoring intervals instead of blanket yearly testing.
  • A concise meta description could be:

Find out how often PAT testing should be done in offices, schools, industry and construction, with clear risk-based intervals you can justify to inspectors and insurers.

TL;DR: PAT testing should be done as often as the risk demands , not by a single fixed rule – from every 2–4 years for low‑risk office IT, down to every 3 months for tough construction environments, with your risk assessment and records backing every interval you choose.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.