PAT testing ensures the safety of electrical appliances in your hotel. In large, complex premises with busy operations, it can be easy to push PAT testing to one side. However, to make sure your guests and staff are safe – and that your hotel complies with health and safety laws – you should get your equipment PAT tested regularly.
Here’s a guide to PAT testing in hotels, and who is responsible for it.
What is PAT testing?
PAT testing stands for Portable Appliance Testing. It refers to the testing of moveable, electrical appliances to check their safety. A portable appliance is any appliance that can be moved, regardless of whether it is connected to an electrical supply or not.
If a competent tester deems an appliance unsafe, it should not be used until it is repaired (or replaced).
What needs to be PAT tested in hotels?
All moveable electrical equipment in hotels should be PAT tested to ensure its safety. Generally, portable electrical equipment has a lead and a plug. This includes appliances in guest rooms – such as kettles, hairdryers and bedside lamps – as well as staff-operated equipment.
PAT testing should be carried out on equipment in all areas of the hotel: office, kitchen, cleaning and laundry appliances must all be tested.
Who is responsible for PAT testing in hotels?
The responsibility for making sure the appliances are safe usually lies with the employer – or in the case of hotels, the owner. However, this responsibility can be delegated to an allocated individual, such as the hotel manager or maintenance manager.
The allocated person must ensure that someone ‘competent’ carries out maintenance – and any testing. To be deemed competent by law, the person must have core knowledge of the subject, experience to apply this knowledge and personal qualities to carry out the task well. The employer or allocated person must ensure that this level of competence is maintained through regular training.
The easiest way to arrange for ‘competent’ PAT testing is to work with qualified professionals like the Intersafe team.
Is PAT testing a legal requirement for hotels?
It is the law that you must maintain all electrical equipment that has the potential to cause danger. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (EAWR) state this, but they do not decree how regularly electrical equipment must be maintained.
While PAT testing itself is not a legal requirement, electrical testing is the best way to demonstrate your compliance with regulations. If a guest were to suffer injury or damage to property due to an appliance fault, PAT testing reports are evidence to show that the hotel has taken steps to mitigate the risk. If you fail to take reasonable steps to prevent danger from electrical equipment, your insurance may be voided.
How often should PAT testing be carried out in hotels?
There is no frequency specified by law for PAT testing in hotels. However, due to the volume of appliances in hotels – plus their heavy usage – you should ensure PAT testing is carried out regularly in your hotel to ensure the safety of staff and guests.
Will PAT testing disrupt hotel operations?
At Intersafe, our qualified PAT testers work around the needs to business to minimise disruption to operations – and your guests. This includes out-of-hours testing for no extra charge, plus staggered testing on a rolling basis. For example, 20 per cent of appliances could undergo testing at any one time so that 80 per cent of the hotel remains operational.
To discuss your PAT testing requirements with us, contact the Intersafe team today.
