PAT test? Who did it?

[lionsl2005]

Hi Guys,

 

I ma in a primary school. so far PAT test is done by Site Manager.

from now they want me to do the PAT test (Head+SM), also sent me for a course.

just wanted to know if you are in primary then who did PAT test in your school?

 

Thanks

[elsiegee40]

The caretaker, but he's got a degree in electronics and enjoys doing it.

[lionsl2005]

The caretaker, but he's got a degree in electronics and enjoys doing it.

 

Not mine

[witch]

I dont think anyone does it in my junior school

Site Manager does it in the middle school

[bladedanny]

We get a company in to come and do it.

[TronXP]

Caretaking staff do most equipment, we are responsible for PAT testing I.T equipment.

[JamesDonkin]

I do. I agreed to do it when I was new, eager to please and never realised what was involved. It takes about a week and a half to two weeks of the summer holidays which impacts on my primary responsibilities. If its a small school it might not be so bad, but if you're in a big school remember this will take ages, especially on your own. Your course probably won't cover radiation leakage from microwaves which also needs to be tested. Tell them about this and the cost of the machine you need for it, also the cost of calibration of equipment every year and the very expensive labels (depending on machine). You'll probably find all of this comes to more than the cost of a professional who'd have it done in about three days.

[Chris_]

I do. I agreed to do it when I was new, eager to please and never realised what was involved. It takes about a week and a half to two weeks of the summer holidays which impacts on my primary responsibilities. If its a small school it might not be so bad, but if you're in a big school remember this will take ages, especially on your own. Your course probably won't cover radiation leakage from microwaves which also needs to be tested. Tell them about this and the cost of the machine you need for it, also the cost of calibration of equipment every year and the very expensive labels (depending on machine). You'll probably find all of this comes to more than the cost of a professional who'd have it done in about three days.

 

I've heard of places buying new kettles/microwaves each year to avoid this!!

 

If you follow the HSE guidelines lots of your IT equipment doesn't need to be tested every year (PCs every 2-4 years).

[lionsl2005]

I've heard of places buying new kettles/microwaves each year to avoid this!!

 

If you follow the HSE guidelines lots of your IT equipment doesn't need to be tested every year (PCs every 2-4 years).

 

What do you mean by "follow the HSE guidelines"

[JamesDonkin]

I didn't think HSE had anything to do with it. It's the IEEE book I work form. PCs don't need physically testing at all as they can be damaged by it. A formal visual inspection every year is recommended though.

[Netwacky87]

I think you will find that PC's do require physically testing...PAT Testing Frequency

[LeMarchand]

All 4 of mine used to use the LEA service, but now employ various private companies due to the council bumping up prices/dropping services.

[JamesDonkin]

I think you will find that PC's do require physically testing...PAT Testing Frequency

 

If your machine tests earth continuity at less than 200mA then yes, allegedly you can. Speaking to the trainer and other people who do PAT testing they won't go anywhere near a PC with a testing machine as they know that this fries PCs and they'll need to pay for it. Seeing as though its me responsible for fixing it, I'm not going to risk breaking it. The article you link says IT equipment. This includes more than just PCs. Do you do your PAT testing?

[januttall]

If your machine tests earth continuity at less than 200mA then yes, allegedly you can. Speaking to the trainer and other people who do PAT testing they won't go anywhere near a PC with a testing machine as they know that this fries PCs and they'll need to pay for it. Seeing as though its me responsible for fixing it, I'm not going to risk breaking it. The article you link says IT equipment. This includes more than just PCs. Do you do your PAT testing?

we get a company in and they test all of the power leads for the equipment but not the equipment tho they get a sticker from a visual inspection. and the switches and servers only ever get a visual inspection.

[SneakyBeaky]

I am ICT technician in a small primary and the Site Manager does the PAT testing. He does not PAT test the PCs, laptops etc.

[lionsl2005]

Now the confusion starts do we have to PAT Test laptops and PCs?

[Netwacky87]

If your machine tests earth continuity at less than 200mA then yes, allegedly you can. Speaking to the trainer and other people who do PAT testing they won't go anywhere near a PC with a testing machine as they know that this fries PCs and they'll need to pay for it. Seeing as though its me responsible for fixing it, I'm not going to risk breaking it. The article you link says IT equipment. This includes more than just PCs. Do you do your PAT testing?

 

No I dont currently, but im going on a course in the new year, so we can do it all in house. As far as im aware PC's should be done each year, and that relates to any IT equipment (TFT's, laptops, servers etc) but all of this is not a legal requirement, its all down to Health and Safety at work regulation and in some cases insurance T&C's

[mrbios]

In a large secondary school with more than enough to do...and somehow we're lumbered with it. Luckily science tech does the science labs things for us, but we're stuck with the rest.

[JamesDonkin]

No I dont currently, but im going on a course in the new year, so we can do it all in house. As far as im aware PC's should be done each year, and that relates to any IT equipment (TFT's, laptops, servers etc) but all of this is not a legal requirement, its all down to Health and Safety at work regulation and in some cases insurance T&C's

 

Try it on a few you won't miss first.

[TronXP]

If you use a PAT testing machine with a I.T testing function you won't risk damaging anything. Our tester has this function and has not broken the 3000 I.T items we have tested over the years.

 

Use a a normal PAT tester without I.T mode and yes you will fry stuff

[Netwacky87]

If you use a PAT testing machine with a I.T testing function you won't risk damaging anything. Our tester has this function and has not broken the 3000 I.T items we have tested over the years.

 

Use a a normal PAT tester without I.T mode and yes you will fry stuff

 

You have to do a "soft" test on it I was told in my training (that I failed, girlfriend was in hospital night before test, so had no time to revise!)

[DavidScott]

The Electricity at Work Regulations (1989) placed a Legal responsibility on employers, suppliers and hirers etc to take reasonable steps to ensure that no danger results from the use of electrical equipment. This means all Portable Appliances have to be regularly tested to ensure they are safe.

 

Essentially this is anything movable with a plug and would include PCs.

I'm not sure why people would exempt them from this requirement?

[Chris_]

What do you mean by "follow the HSE guidelines"

 

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg236.pdf

 

Page 5 gives a list of sensible intervals for testing various different electrical equipment.

[jmak]

Ours is done by external consultants - in August to minimise disruption. They seem to test everything including my box of "you never know when you might need one of those" cables. Unfortunately, the only devices in school which get regularly abused - the teachers' laptops - aren't in school in August and haven't been tested for years as far as I can tell!

[LeMarchand]

Quick PAT testing question: what are they actually testing for? I have just found a box of faulty laptop chargers that were awaiting WEEE disposal that have all been PAT tested and passed.