From our experience PAT Testing in student accommodation is extremely important. Over the years we have made some shocking discoveries with some of the appliances used in their rooms.
Students often used shared facilities so appliances like kettles, microwaves and toasters will be used far more than those used in the home and they are not always kept in the best condition.
The condition of these appliances should be considered in shared kitchens and living rooms in the student accomodation and any appliances that may be available in students room too. Take a look at the age of the appliances, the electrical cables and the plugs’ condition.
PAT Testing in Student Accommodation Safety Checks
- Check for damage to the casing
- Are there any frayed cables?
- Is there any damage to plugs?
- Is the socket in good condition?
- Are there any coloured wires visible?
- Are there any burn marks on the appliance outer casing or plug
- Has the appliance been tested in the last 12 months (if it has been it will have a pat testing green label stating when it was tested)
If the student accommodation is furnished with fridge, tumble dryer, washing machine, toaster and microwave, these items should have been PAT tested in the last 12 months and will have a green pass sticker stating when the test was carried out.
We often get asked whether it is a legal obligation to have your own appliances PAT tested in student accommodation and the answer is no. Ensuring that your own items are safe to use is your own responsibility. In recent studies it has shown that student accommodation tends to have more appliances than a regular household because each will have their own television, games console, phone chargers, computer, speakers, hair dryer, hair straighteners etc.
If you in doubt about any electrical appliance safety in your student accommodation, it may be a good idea to discuss with your housemates whether it would be worth having all appliances PAT tested for your own peace of mind.
Sense PAT Testing Birmingham offer safety testing in all universities and student housing in and Birmingham and the West Midlands
