A portable appliance testing (PAT) certificate is issued after the completion of portable appliance testing (PAT); the importance of owning a portable appliance testing certificate is that it maximises safety and protection, as well as complying with health and safety regulations because in the case of a claim the certificate is proof that the responsible person took necessary procedures to ensure safety. It is advised that properties/businesses obtain a portable appliance testing (PAT) certificate because a certificate is proof that portable appliance testing (PAT) has successfully been completed in the property. A portable appliance testing (PAT) certificate is typically thorough and includes a detailed report stating which appliances, if any, have failed and/or passed (results).
A portable appliance testing (PAT) certificate is only to be offered by an approved NICEIC/ECA registered contractor and the engineer 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 portable appliance testing certificate which results in maximum safety of the property.
A portable appliance testing (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 portable appliance testing (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 may be obtained if requested.
A portable appliance testing (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 portable appliance testing (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 portable appliance testing (PAT) or presenting a recent portable appliance testing (PAT) certificate is that the property’s insurance could be void and any accidents or injuries could result in suing the property owner.
