Hallmark Electrics

PAT TESTING (from only 99p per item)

Why test portable appliances?

The legislation of specific relevance to electrical maintenance is the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974, the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999, the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998.

The Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 puts the duty of care upon both the employer and the employee to ensure the safety of all persons using the work premises. This includes the self employed.

The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 states:

"Every employer shall make suitable and sufficient assessment of:

The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 states:

"Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair."

The PUWER 1998 covers most risks that can result from using work equipment. With respect to risks from electricity, compliance with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 is likely to achieve compliance with the PUWER 1998.

PUWER 1998 only applies to work equipment used by workers at work. This includes all work equipment (fixed, transportable or portable) connected to a source of electrical energy. PUWER does not apply to fixed installations in a building. The electrical safety of these installations is dealt with only by the Electricity at Work Regulations.

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 states:

"All systems shall at all times be of such construction as to prevent, so far as reasonably practicable, such danger."

"As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent, so far as reasonably practicable, such danger."

"'System' means an electrical system in which all the electrical equipment is, or may be, electrically connected to a common source of electrical energy and includes such source and such equipment"
"'Electrical Equipment' includes anything used, intended to be used or installed for use, to generate, provide, transmit, transform, rectify, convert, conduct, distribute, control, store, measure or use electrical energy."

Scope of the legislation

It is clear that the combination of the HSW Act 1974, the PUWER 1998 and the EAW Regulations 1989 apply to all electrical equipment used in, or associated with, places of work. The scope extends from distribution systems down to the smallest piece of electrical equipment.
Therefor a requirement exists to inspect and test all types of electrical equipment in all work situations.

What is a portable appliance?

There are many European standards and guidance notes regarding portable appliances and equipment, though they do not establish a common and specific definition of such equipment. Even so, there does seem to be a consensus of opinion that such equipment is either hand held whilst being connected to the supply, or is intended to be moved whilst connected to the supply, or is capable of being moved without undue difficulty whilst connected to the supply.

It is usual for this equipment to be connected to the supply via a plug and socket, however this is not a requirement for electrical equipment to be deemed portable or transportable. It is common to define a portable appliance by saying that it is 'anything with a plug top on the end of it'. This is a mistake as it may mean that there are some appliances in the system that are never tested.

Our prices

Our Prices start from only 99p a test and that includes individual appliance labels with unique appliance reference, pass register, repair/fail register (if needed) and compliance certificate.

Our price structure is as follows:

*subject to a minimum of 40 items

Minimal disruption

All electrical equipment to be tested has to be disconnected from the mains supply. We realise the inconvenience that this can cause, especially in a busy office environment, that is why we provide out of hours service at no extra cost.
Reports & certification

On completion of the testing you will be issued with a safety certificate and a detailed report that provides information on each individual item. All items that pass the inspection & testing will be labelled with a safety sticker.

FREE Repairs

Minor faults found during the course of the inspection will be repaired as we find them and the appliance re-tested. All minor repairs are carried out free of charge, including the following:

FREE Microwave Leakage Detection

Like all other electrical appliances sold in the UK, microwave ovens are perfectly safe when new. However, like any appliance, they can become damaged with age and use.

Like all electrical appliances, microwaves need testing for electrical safety. Unlike other appliances, they are designed to emit powerful radiation. This is perfectly safe when it is contained within the microwave, but if the door or seals become damaged, then the microwaves can escape and affect people using the oven.
You cannot feel or see microwave radiation, so the only way to ensure that your oven is safe is to test it annually for leakage.