Introduction to Fire Safety Management

Portable appliance testing (PAT)
Portable electrical equipment should be subject to regu-
lar inspections and tests, the time frames of which will 
be dependent upon the nature of use. Ideally portable 
electrical equipment should carry durable labels which 
display that it has been inspected and tested and is in a 
satisfactory condition.
Table 8.2 summarises the HSE’s guidance on the 
type and frequency of inspections and tests for portable 
electrical appliances in offi ces and hotels, etc.
Electrical equipment used in more hostile environ-
ments such as in construction and mountainous works 
are tested more frequently.
Electrical installations, whether temporary or 
permanent, together with electrical equipment and 
apparatus, should be protected by a range of measures 
including residual current devices (RCDs) which protect 
human beings from electrical shock, fuses and miniature 
moulded case circuit breakers (MCCBs) which provide 
protection to apparatus from overheating and short 
circuits. Arrangements should be in place to ensure 
that all electrical work to installations and/or electrical 
equipment is undertaken by only trained, qualifi ed and 
competent electricians who are familiar with the systems 
involved.
Electrical safety systems such as those detailed 
above will also assist in reducing the risk of fi re caused 
by damage to installation cabling caused by vermin; 
however, these systems should be supported by active 
management to control vermin for the risk of fi re from 
these areas to be avoided or minimised.
All staff members who are to make use of elec-
trical equipment should be familiarised with the hazards 
associated with electrical equipment, any specifi c design 
issues, limitations and signs and symptoms of deterior-
ation or wear.
Documented systems to provide evidence of the 
testing, inspection, etc., together with a defect report-
ing system, should be considered to assist in managing 
electrical safety.