PAT Testing

PAT testing costs in Bath and Bristol typically range from £1.00 to £3.00 per item depending on quantity, location and property type. For businesses with large numbers of appliances (100+), pricing generally falls between £1.00-£1.50 per item, with volume discounts applied for very large inventories. Smaller premises with fewer items (under 50) typically pay £2.00-£3.00 per appliance due to the proportionately higher setup and travel costs. Factors affecting pricing include: total number of appliances requiring testing; property accessibility and parking conditions (particularly relevant in Bath's city centre with limited access); complexity of appliances being tested (commercial kitchen equipment typically costs more than standard office items); whether testing is conducted during normal business hours or requires evening/weekend attendance; and whether the client requires additional services such as asset tagging or inventory creation. For landlords with multiple rental properties, we offer package rates based on the number of properties and appliances. Regular contract clients benefit from reduced rates, typically 15-20% below standard pricing. Minimum call-out charges typically apply for very small quantities, usually equivalent to testing approximately 20-25 items. We provide detailed, transparent quotations following discussion of your specific requirements, with no hidden costs or unexpected charges. Despite the initial investment, regular PAT testing typically reduces long-term costs by identifying potential issues before they cause equipment failure or safety incidents.

PAT testing frequency for Bath and Bristol businesses depends on several factors including equipment type, usage environment, and risk assessment outcomes rather than a single universal requirement. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and IET Code of Practice recommend risk-based schedules rather than arbitrary timeframes. In high-risk environments like construction sites common in Bristol's developing areas, equipment typically requires testing every 3 months, particularly for frequently used or moved Class I equipment. Standard office environments generally follow these typical intervals: desktop computers and monitors every 24-48 months; portable office equipment like printers and projectors every 12-24 months; and handheld items like kettles and vacuum cleaners every 12 months. For commercial kitchens prevalent in Bath's tourism sector, testing is typically required every 6-12 months due to harsh operating conditions and intensive use. Hotels and guest houses should test guest room appliances annually before peak season. Equipment used by the public requires more frequent inspection than staff-only items. Newly purchased equipment doesn't require immediate testing but should enter the testing schedule at its next due date. Your insurance policy may stipulate specific frequencies that override these general guidelines. We recommend maintaining records of formal visual inspections between full PAT tests, particularly for equipment in demanding environments. Our approach involves creating customised testing schedules based on a thorough assessment of your specific circumstances and equipment profile rather than applying generic timeframes, ensuring both compliance and cost-effectiveness.

When an appliance fails PAT testing in your Bath or Bristol business, our structured process ensures clear communication and appropriate action. Failed items are immediately identified with distinctive red "FAILED" labels indicating the nature of the failure and date tested, and are removed from service to prevent use. We provide detailed documentation specifying exactly why each item failed, categorising issues as either minor repairable faults or significant safety hazards. For minor issues such as damaged plugs, frayed cables or loose connections that can be remedied on-site, our technicians can often perform immediate repairs during the testing session at additional cost (typically £5-15 per repair depending on complexity and parts required). For more significant failures requiring specialist repairs or where repair costs would exceed replacement value, we provide detailed information to help you make informed decisions about repair or replacement. Particularly dangerous items are physically disabled by removing plugs when permitted. All failed items are comprehensively documented in your test certificate report, providing clear evidence of your safety management processes for insurance and compliance purposes. We can arrange collection and safe disposal of permanently failed items in accordance with WEEE regulations if required. Our pragmatic approach focuses on practical solutions rather than simply identifying problems – many clients appreciate our ability to resolve approximately 60-70% of minor failures on-site, minimising disruption and replacement costs while ensuring your workplace remains compliant and safe.

Not all electrical items require formal PAT testing, with several important exemptions relevant to Bath and Bristol businesses. Fixed installation equipment (permanently connected to the electrical supply without a plug) is covered by periodic fixed installation testing rather than PAT testing. New appliances don't legally require immediate testing, though many organisations choose to establish baseline records and apply initial inspection labels. Very low-risk items operating at minimal voltages (below 50V AC) such as standard LED lamps, phone chargers and many IT accessories generally don't require formal testing, though basic visual inspection remains prudent. Double-insulated (Class II) equipment with the square-within-square symbol requires less rigorous testing than earthed (Class I) equipment. Battery-operated equipment without charging functionality doesn't require PAT testing. Personal items brought occasionally into workplaces by employees technically remain their responsibility, though many Bristol businesses implement policies requiring inspection of such items. The most important consideration is conducting appropriate risk assessment – equipment used in harsh environments (construction sites, commercial kitchens, workshops) or handling by multiple users (public facilities, retail settings) requires more attention than low-use, stable environment items. For Bath's numerous listed building businesses, particular attention should be paid to older electrical installations where modern electrical equipment may impose additional loads. Generally, we advise focusing comprehensive testing on higher-risk items while implementing simpler visual inspection regimes for truly low-risk equipment. This risk-based approach aligns with HSE guidance emphasizing proportionate safety management rather than indiscriminate testing of every electrical item regardless of risk profile.

For landlords operating in Bath and Bristol, PAT testing is not explicitly mandated by a single specific regulation, but electrical appliance safety testing forms part of several overlapping legal obligations. The Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 require that all electrical appliances provided as part of a tenancy are safe. The Housing Act 2004 and associated Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) identify electrical hazards as a primary safety concern requiring management. For Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) – particularly prevalent in both cities with their large student populations – licensing conditions typically explicitly require regular PAT testing. While the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 focus primarily on fixed electrical installations rather than portable appliances, the associated guidance recommends appliance testing as best practice. The Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 places general obligations on landlords to maintain properties in a safe condition, including appliances. Most critically for practical purposes, landlord insurance policies typically require evidence of appliance testing to maintain valid coverage, creating a de facto requirement regardless of regulatory interpretation. The recommended testing frequency depends on appliance type and property usage, with annual testing being standard practice for most rental situations. For Bath's numerous holiday lets and serviced accommodation properties, testing is particularly important due to high tenant turnover and intensive appliance usage. Many local authorities, including Bath & North East Somerset Council and Bristol City Council, explicitly recommend PAT testing as part of their landlord guidance documentation. While there remains some technical ambiguity about the strict legal requirement, the combination of regulatory framework, insurance conditions and potential liability issues makes PAT testing effectively essential for responsible landlords in the region.

Following PAT testing at your Bath or Bristol premises, we provide comprehensive documentation exceeding minimum compliance requirements to support your safety management and insurance obligations. You'll receive a formal PAT Testing Certificate confirming testing has been conducted by a competent person to appropriate standards, including our company details, tester qualifications, testing equipment details, and calibration information. The detailed Appliance Register lists every item tested with individual results, including asset numbers, descriptions, locations, test dates, pass/fail status, specific test measurements (earth continuity, insulation resistance values), and next test due dates. This data is provided in both PDF format for easy sharing and Excel spreadsheet format enabling you to sort, filter and manage your appliance inventory. For failed items, you'll receive a specific Failure Report with detailed fault descriptions and recommended actions. Each tested appliance receives a durable label showing test date, result, next test due date and unique reference matching your documentation. We also provide photographic evidence of testing in progress and examples of tested items for your records. For businesses with multiple sites across Bath, Bristol and surrounding areas, we offer consolidated reporting across properties while maintaining site-specific details. Our documentation is designed to satisfy the requirements of insurance companies, health and safety inspectors, and regulatory authorities. All records are securely stored in our systems, and we provide reminder services for future testing dates. For landlords, we create documentation packages suitable for tenant information packs meeting deposit protection scheme requirements. This comprehensive approach ensures you have complete evidence of compliance with your duty of care responsibilities regarding electrical appliance safety.