For anyone who owns a business in the UK is required by the law to have their portable electrical devices tested for safety and health reasons. So you know that your equipment has to be PAT tested and you need to find a company to carry out the work. Where do you start? Well run a small business and have experience of dealing with many PAT testing companies down the years. Here are some questions that you should ask any company that you request to quote for the work.
Is the Company Accredited?
You should ask any prospective PAT testing company if they have professional accreditation. Although there is no PAT testing official body, there are several professional associations that all companies should belong too.
Are the Engineers Qualified?
PAT testing should be carried out by qualified engineers. You must check that any engineers that are sent to your premises have pasted the City & Guilds 2360 Part 1 & Part 2 and City & Guilds 2391. These are the recognized industry standards for Fixed Installation Testing. Any company that is employing unqualified engineers could be compromising the safety of you and your staff.
Do They Use the Latest Equipment and Is It Calibrated?
PAT testing equipment is always being improved, and you should ask the company how old their equipment is. The equipment should also be calibrated to ensure that it is giving the correct readings. All calibrated equipment should have a certificate to prove when it was last tested for and also when it is due to be retested.
Are They Insured?
You should check that the company has public liability insurance. The work they carry out on your equipment is vital and is also legally binding. If there is an issue caused by the equipment they have tested and passed, then the legal blame and any expense would be the responsibility of the PAT testing company.
Are There Any Hidden Charges?
Are There Any Hidden Charges?It is good to double-check what is included in the price of the quote. Does it include the cost of the labels, database burnt to CD and a print out of the test results?
Is the work charged per piece of equipment, per hour or for the whole premises in one go?
Will there be any charges for the changing of fuses in plugs? Make sure than you get a fully costed quote in writing before you engage in a project.
If you ask these questions, you should be able to have a pain free PAT test and look forward to a fruitful relationship with your PAT testing company.
