PAT Testing Services in Hampshire, West Sussex and the South Coast
Portable appliance testing (PAT testing) is a routine safety inspection of electrical equipment used in commercial and residential premises. Although PAT testing is not a legal requirement in itself, employers, landlords and self-employed individuals have a legal duty of care to ensure that electrical appliances in their premises are safe - and regular PAT testing is the recognised way of demonstrating that duty has been met. Our NICEIC-certified PAT testers cover Hampshire, West Sussex and the South Coast, providing fast, thorough and competitively priced testing with certificates on the day.
Contact us for a PAT testing quotation - call 01903 716445 or complete our contact form.
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NICEIC-certified PAT testing for commercial premises of all sizes
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Competitive rates - contact us for a bulk quote based on appliance numbers
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PAT testing certificates and equipment labels provided on completion
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All three equipment classes covered - Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3
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Landlord and portfolio PAT testing - scheduled programmes for multiple properties
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Construction site equipment testing - 110V equipment every 3 months
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Covering Hampshire, West Sussex, Surrey, Dorset, Berkshire, Wiltshire and London
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Commercial PAT Testing Services - West Sussex, Hampshire and the South Coast
We provide PAT testing for commercial clients of all sizes and sectors - from small offices with a handful of computers and peripherals to large organisations with hundreds of appliances across multiple sites. Our NICEIC-certified testers visit your premises at a time that minimises disruption to your operations, test all relevant appliances, apply pass or fail labels and provide a full written certificate on completion.
Portable Appliance Testing (PAT testing) is a safety inspection of electrical appliances involving both a visual examination and electronic testing. Despite the name, PAT testing applies to both portable appliances (those that can be moved and connected to a supply) and fixed electrical equipment. The inspection covers three stages:
- User checks: a basic visual check for signs of damage, and assessment of whether equipment is being stored and used correctly.
- Formal visual inspection: a more thorough examination of the appliance, cable, plug and any visible internal components for signs of damage, overheating or deterioration.
- Instrument testing: the appliance is connected to a portable appliance tester which carries out a series of electronic tests - earth continuity, insulation resistance and functional checks as appropriate for the class of equipment.
For a full explanation of the PAT testing process, what each test involves and what the results mean, see our Knowledge Centre article PAT Testing Explained - one of the most comprehensive guides to PAT testing available online.
PAT testing is not a legal requirement in itself, but employers, landlords and self-employed individuals have a statutory duty under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to maintain electrical equipment in a safe condition. The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) also require that work equipment is maintained in good repair. Regular PAT testing is the accepted way of demonstrating compliance with these duties and forms part of any comprehensive electrical safety management programme.
Insurers increasingly require evidence of regular PAT testing as a condition of cover for commercial premises. Failure to produce PAT testing records following an electrical incident can invalidate an insurance claim, regardless of whether the equipment was actually faulty.
There is no single fixed legal requirement for PAT testing frequency. The appropriate interval depends on the class of equipment, the environment in which it is used and the frequency of use. The HSE guidance provides the following framework:
- Class 1 equipment (earthed, highest risk): testing every 6 to 48 months depending on environment and usage. Class 1 equipment includes most large appliances with metal casings - kettles, toasters, desk fans, most power tools.
- Class 2 equipment (double insulated, no earth): testing every 12 to 48 months. Class 2 equipment includes most IT equipment, chargers, desk lamps and smaller appliances marked with the double insulation symbol.
- Class 3 equipment (low voltage, least risk): infrequent testing - typically every 24 to 48 months. Class 3 equipment includes battery chargers and items operating at very low voltages.
- 110V construction site equipment: testing every 3 months due to the harsh environments and frequent handling involved.
For most commercial offices, an annual PAT test provides an appropriate balance of safety assurance and cost. Our engineers will advise on the appropriate frequency for your specific premises and equipment profile.
On completion of a PAT testing visit, we provide a full written certificate listing every appliance tested, the test results and the date of testing. Each appliance receives a pass or fail label showing the test date and the next due date. The certificate serves as documentary evidence of your compliance with your duty of care and should be retained for insurance purposes and as part of your electrical safety records.
Appliances that fail testing are labelled accordingly and should be removed from service until repaired or replaced. We will identify failed items on the day and advise on whether repair or replacement is the most appropriate course of action.
Despite the 'portable' in the name, PAT testing covers a wide range of electrical equipment. Common items tested include:
- IT equipment: computers, monitors, printers, servers, chargers, docking stations
- Office appliances: kettles, microwaves, toasters, desk fans, coffee machines, desk lamps
- Audio-visual equipment: projectors, monitors, TVs, amplifiers
- Power tools and workshop equipment
- Extension leads and multi-socket adapters - commonly failed items
- Cleaning equipment: vacuum cleaners, floor polishers
- Construction site equipment: power tools, site lighting (110V, 3-monthly testing)
- Fixed equipment with a plug: washing machines, dishwashers, fridges in staff areas
Get a PAT testing quotation based on your appliance count - call 01903 716445.
Landlords have a duty to ensure that electrical appliances provided as part of a tenancy are safe. While there is no specific requirement for landlords to carry out PAT testing in the same way as commercial employers, the duty of care principle applies - and many landlords choose to PAT test all appliances at the start of a tenancy and periodically thereafter as evidence of their compliance. For HMOs, the local authority licensing conditions often specify electrical safety requirements that PAT testing helps to demonstrate.
We provide PAT testing for landlords and letting agents managing portfolios of properties, offering scheduled visit programmes to keep multiple properties tested efficiently. Contact us to discuss a portfolio testing programme.
See our Landlords sector page for the full range of electrical and fire safety compliance services available to landlords.
Frequently Asked Questions
PAT testing is not a legal requirement in itself. However, employers, landlords and self-employed individuals have a legal duty under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to maintain electrical equipment in a safe condition. PAT testing is the accepted method of demonstrating that this duty has been met. Many insurers also require evidence of regular PAT testing as a condition of commercial premises cover.
PAT testing costs depend on the number of appliances to be tested and the premises location. We offer competitive bulk rates - the more appliances, the lower the cost per item. Contact us with your estimated appliance count and location and we will provide a fixed-price quotation.
Yes. Our NICEIC-certified PAT testers cover West Sussex, Hampshire and the South Coast, including Chichester, Arundel, Worthing, Horsham, Southampton, Portsmouth, Winchester, Eastleigh, Romsey, Andover, Basingstoke, Salisbury, Guildford, Dorset, Bournemouth and London. Contact us to confirm coverage and arrange a visit.
Testing time depends on the number of appliances and their accessibility. As a guide, a competent PAT tester can typically test 50-100 items per hour for standard office appliances. We will provide an estimated visit duration when you contact us with your appliance count.
Failed appliances are labelled with a fail sticker and should be removed from service immediately. We will identify failed items on the day and advise on whether the appliance can be repaired or should be replaced. Common reasons for failure include damaged cables, faulty plugs, failed insulation and earth continuity faults.
Yes. Extension leads and multi-socket adapters are one of the most commonly failed item categories in PAT testing. They are subject to heavy use and physical stress and deteriorate over time. All extension leads in use on commercial premises should be included in a PAT testing programme and checked for damaged cables, loose connections and correct fuse ratings.
PAT Testing Near Me - Hampshire and West Sussex
If you are searching for PAT testing services near you in Hampshire or West Sussex, our NICEIC-certified testers are local to you. We cover:
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West Sussex: Chichester, Arundel, Worthing, Horsham, Bognor Regis, Littlehampton, Shoreham-by-Sea, Crawley, Brighton
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Hampshire: Southampton, Portsmouth, Winchester, Eastleigh, Romsey, Andover, Basingstoke, Chandler's Ford, Fareham, Salisbury
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Surrey and wider South: Guildford, Surrey, Berkshire, Dorset, Bournemouth, Wiltshire, Bristol, London
From Our Knowledge Centre
What is PAT Testing?
A straightforward introduction to portable appliance testing for business owners new to the subject.
Landlords
See our Landlords sector page for the full range of compliance services for landlords and letting agents.
Electrical Services Hub
See our Electrical Services Hub for our full range of electrical services.
Looking for a complete compliance package? We cover PAT testing, EICR, fire alarms, emergency lighting and security in one annual service.