CareHomeDeskCareHomeDeskWhat portable appliance testing is required, at what frequency, and what records to keep.
There is no specific law requiring PAT testing by that name, but the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require that all electrical equipment used in work premises is maintained in a safe condition. For portable appliances in a care home, PAT testing is the most common method of demonstrating compliance with this duty. CQC and HSE both regard PAT testing as evidence of electrical safety management.
Frequency depends on the type of equipment and the environment. In a care home, Class I equipment (earthed appliances -- kitchen equipment, floor polishers) used in high-risk environments typically requires testing every 6-12 months. Class II equipment (double-insulated -- lamps, some IT equipment) may require 2-4 yearly testing. Residents' own electrical equipment should be inspected on arrival and PAT tested.
Each tested appliance should receive a pass label showing the date tested and the date of the next test. A central register of all tested appliances should be maintained, recording the asset, location, test date, result, tester, and next test date. Failed appliances must be immediately taken out of service and either repaired and re-tested or disposed of.
CareHomeDesk gives you compliance checklists, maintenance logs, and contractor management tools built around exactly this kind of knowledge.