A PAT certificate is issued after the completion of portable appliance testing; the importance of owning a PAT certificate is that it maximises safety and protection, as well as complying with health and safety regulations because in the case of a claim a PAT certificate is proof that the responsible person took necessary procedures to ensure safety. It is advised that properties/businesses obtain a PAT certificate because a certificate is proof that PAT testing has successfully been completed in the property. A PAT certificate is typically thorough and includes a detailed report stating which appliances, if any, have failed and/or passed (results).
A PAT certificate is only to be offered by an approved NICEIC/ECA registered contractor who is “competent”, this means as well as obtaining a City and Guilds 2377 qualification the engineer should regularly carry out this type of work, thus being able to produce accurate results in the PAT certificate which results in maximum safety of the property.
A PAT certificate consists of details of the inspection which include:
• The name and address of where the PAT test was completed.
• The name and address of the PAT test engineer, or, his/hers companies name and address.
• The PAT test expiry date which is usually six or twelve months.
• An authorised signature
A PAT certificate does not include details of individual appliances tested, this may only be included in the PAT test detailed report, which is not always issued, and this can be requested.
A PAT certificate is an official paper of proof that shows whether the property being tested is safe. Labels are also attached to each appliance to show whether the appliance has failed or passed PAT testing, although these are not as important as obtaining a certificate.
Along with the PAT certificate there should generally be a written report detailing all failed appliances and advice on what action should be taken in order for the property to pass PAT testing. The risk of not completing PAT testing or presenting a recent PAT certificate is that the property’s insurance could be void and any accidents or injuries could result in suing of the property owner.
