Dublin’s only 5 STAR RATED AND REVIEWED, Fully insured & fully qualified Commercial & Domestic PAT Testing for offices, hotels, Air B & B listings and house rentals. Commercial and domestic clients.
PAT Testing Dublin is proud to support and assist all businesses in Ireland with their PAT testing requirements – both small and large. We don’t operate a minimum volume for our service and will be happy to assist you! 1 hour emergency service also available.
All of our PAT testing services is done in line with current guidelines and requirements and is compatible for both ISO audits and accreditation. PAT testing in Ireland is mandated by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 (S.I. No. 299 of 2007), specifically Part 3, Chapter 2 (Regulations 81-83). Employers and landlords must ensure portable electrical equipment is safe and regularly inspected by a competent person. These regulations are enforced by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).
The most important part of any commercial or domestic PAT Testing process, regardless of what class of appliance it may fall into, is the comprehensive visual inspection. A visual inspection involves the undertaking of a detailed examination by a registered technician of an appliance for any signs of cosmetic damage. This initial process includes detailed observation of any cracks that may be on the casing or various other parts of an electrical device. Any fault, however slight it may initially appear upon primary visual inspection, could potentially expose the end user to an electric shock. This unfortunate and usually completely avoidable situation can also occur in the event of potential misuse of an appliance, the age of a device or even power surges. The plug and flex are carefully examined while checking for any exposed wiring in the plug or flex, kinks or breaks in the flex or damage to the plug itself. Any potential faults within an appliance can often result in the item ceasing to operate safely and effectively if these issues were not properly resolved in a timely manner. This process is completed and signed off on by one of our qualified engineers even before the appliance is plugged into the PAT testing machine for the next testing stage. If an appliance fails any of the standard visual appliance inspections, further testing cannot be performed as the item will fail the PAT testing inspection straight away.
In situations of where an item that has undergone the initial PAT testing process fails a visual inspection, a “FAIL” tag will then immediately be added to the item and the Asset ID is registered within the PAT Testing machine. Details of any failed appliances will always be included in an in-depth report that is created for the client. PAT Testing Dublin will then recommend a safe course of action when dealing with a failed appliance. In many cases, the item may often be able to be successfully repaired by a registered and qualified engineer but sometimes a repair would not be economically viable due to the original cost of the item. In cases like this, we would always recommend that the item is quickly withdrawn from use and disposed of in a responsible manner. We work with fully qualified and insured RECI electricians who are always on hand to follow up our PAT Testing service with any required repairs to the appliances if they are deemed necessary.
We provide both commercial and domestic PAT testing throughout Dublin and surrounding areas. We test all types of portable devices and ensure that your family and staff are fully protected and enjoy a safe environment at all times. PAT Testing is now a legal requirement for all office environments so make sure you are covered today.
Under new government regulations, a business owner is legally responsible to ensure that all electrical appliances confirm to Health & Safety Regulations in the office environment. Insurance companies are also starting to ask for a valid and up to date PAT Testing certificate before issuing insurance cover for the following year so it is important to be aware of your obligations under current Health & Safety in the workplace legislation.”
PAT testing for hotel rooms is an important element for all hotels in operation. Appliances in hotels can actually have one of the highest rates of use due to the continuous occupancy of hotel rooms during the year and should always be tested for safety once a year at a minimum. Compliance certificate issued after testing to display in hotel lobby t tell guests that all rooms are fully PAT Compliant before they check in.
Due to an already hazardous environment, construction equipment is at a greater risk of damage than most industries.We have also found that some Health & Safety Officers are preventing an site contractors from arriving on site without an up to date PAT testing certificate for their equipment. Make sure you are fully PAT compliant for all your electrical equipment today!
We regularly get asked “What is a PAT test and what does it involve?” With this in mind, we are proud to have partnered with Seaward UK which manufacture some of the leading PAT testing equipment in the UK & Ireland to include a quick “How to..” video demonstrating what exactly is involved when PAT testing a standard office PC. PAT testing a standard office PC monitor and hard drive actually involves 4 (and sometimes 5)separate tests which you can see from the following video. (Video reproduced and kindly licensed by Seaward UK)
Classification and Types of Appliances for PAT Testing
The IEE’s code of practice for on site Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment 3rd Edition states that there are 5 separate classifications of electrical appliances which are class 0, 01, 1, 2, 3. Classes 0 and 01 are extremely rare to encounter and not commonly used.
Class 1 Equipment for PAT testing
Basic insulation present and relies on an earth wiring for protection. These appliances receive a visual inspection, an Earth Continuity test and Insulation test. Examples of Class 1 equipment are Kettles, Toasters, Irons, Microwaves, Electric Heaters, Fridges, Freezers, Washing Machines and Tumble Dryers etc.
Class 2 Equipment for PAT testing
These types of appliances contain supplementary insulation and therefore does not rely on an earth connection/wiring for protection and are easily identified by the double square symbol on the appliance itself and will receive an a visual inspection and insulation test. Examples of Class 2 equipment are Televisions, DVD Players, Lamps, Power Tools, Hair Dryers, etc.
Class 3 Equipment for PAT testing
Relies on protection from a SELV (Separated Extra-Low Voltage) supply, which is usually less than 50vac or 120vdc and therefore does not require testing. However the power supply will be tested.
Information Technology Equipment (IT)
Not manufactured to BS60950 will receive a soft earth continuity test of 100mA and an insulation test (at a reduced voltage of 250vdc) or a touch current test. Examples of IT Equipment are Computers, Visual Display Units, Printers and Scanners etc.
Appliances With Detachable Cables
E.g. IEC cables or Fig 8 cables are to be tested as a separate item and also tested attached to the appliance.
Types of Electrical Appliances
Electrical appliances can be categorised into the following types of appliances.
Portable Appliances
These appliances weigh less than 18kg and can easily be moved from one place to another when in operation e.g. Kettle, Toaster, Food Processor etc.
Movable Appliances
These appliances weigh less than 18kg and are usually fitted with either wheels or casters to enable the operator to move the appliance easily when required to perform work tasks e.g. Mobile Compressor, Power Washer, Oil Filled Heaters etc.Hand Held Appliances – these appliances are designed to be held in the hand under normal operational use e.g. Hair Dryers, Irons, Hand Blender, Power drill etc.
Stationary Appliances
These appliances weigh in excess of 18kg and are not provided with a means of carrying e.g. Washing Machine, Tumble Dryer, and Chest Freezer etc.
IT Appliances
These appliances includes such items as Computers, Mains Powered Telecommunications Equipment, Printers, Plotters, Photo copiers etc.