PAT testing: what you need to know

Holiday home owners have so much to think about - it's running a house and then some! Some of the tasks, for example your changeover schedule, advertising your home, and corresponding with guests, are a regular part of the job while other things happen less frequently, but are no less important.

We think you'll agree, guest safety is a priority for all holiday home owners. From obtaining gas and electric certificates to the right insurances, and from your annual property risk assessment to day-to-day health and safety considerations, the list goes on and on.

A small but significant safety job you should undertake from time to time is PAT testing of the electrical items in your property. Pause for a moment and run a quick mental inventory... just how many electrical items are there?

From the largest, like cookers and TVs, to the smallest (kettles, toasters, irons and so on), the list grows quickly. In fact, most things with a plug can and should be regularly PAT tested as part of your guest safety manifesto.

NWHC's David agrees. He says:

It's really important to make sure your holiday cottage is safe for guests, PAT testing is a small but important part of this.

If you haven't PAT tested before or you just want a refresher, here's what you need to know at a glance.

What is PAT testing?

PAT stands for Portable Appliance Testing. During the test, appliances and electronic items are checked thoroughly for any problems or potential defects.

Much of the time, issues can’t be seen on the outer surface, which makes PAT all the more important. As well as noting that an appliance might be visibly damaged, it’s important to take note of any reports of internal or functional issues too.

Do I have to do it?

As the property owner and person letting the holiday home, there is a legal requirement for you to ensure all appliances are properly maintained and tested. You must make sure there’s no hazards or defects that may injure the user.

The law doesn’t require you to carry out PAT but it's probably the best way to be compliant and make sure electrical equipment is safe.  We suggest all Class I items should be tested every 2 years but you may feel your circumstances require more frequent testing. Plugs of Class I items contain an earth wire (green and yellow), a live wire (brown) and a neutral wire (blue).

Typical examples of Class I items include, but are not limited to: toasters, microwaves, electric heaters, washing machines, tumble dryers, irons and kettles.

Items that are double-insulated (also called Class II) contain no earth wire in the plug - that distinctive green and yellow wire. Typical examples of Class II items include, but are not limited to: televisions, lamps, hair dryers and DVD Players.

Class II items tend to be high usage appliances and we recommend conducting regular visual inspections for wear and tear. There is a PAT for Class II items if you wanted to test there too.

To help you identify which items need PAT, look for the following symbols:

• Class I electrical items - an inverted pyramid within a circle 
• Class II electrical items - a square within a square

Make regular, informal checks for damage to electrical items - frayed cables or broken casing, for example – part of your changeover schedule. It's a good guest safety and customer service measure and will help to limit calls from about broken or damaged electrical goods.

You may have seen PAT stickers on tested items before but you’re not obliged to label them. Labelling is one way of keeping track but we think keeping a written record of your PAT is an even more reliable method.

The PAT record should contain details of the appliance, the date it was tested and details of the tester (a designated competent person). We prefer this method and find it gives owners a quick and easy point of reference.

PAT testing the electrical items in your holiday home also shows your willingness to proactively comply with the Electricity At Work Regulations 1989 (SI 1989/635) as a responsible owner.

Can I carry out the test?

You and any staff (maintenance, cleaning etc.) can carry out the visual checks and look for any obvious signs of damage. The key here is that the person designated to carry out the PAT must be competent with electrical appliances and the testing process; ideally they will have undertaken some form of training. Therefore, we recommend using a qualified electrician carry out the test.

Have more questions?

Click here for more information on PAT direct from the Health & Safety Executive. Our team are ready to help, just get in touch using the form at the bottom the linked page.