The new fourth edition of the IET Code of Practice has sparked discussion on its recommendation for retesting dates not to be labelled on the pass labels, as has been common practice until now.
New recommendations now say that the date appliances should be retested should be withheld from the pass label and it has been reported that this has been done to stop contractors automatically deciding on the date retesting should be carried out.
This new practice is to go along with the approach now set out in the fourth edition for a risk based approach to testing where the duty holder is given responsibility for deciding testing dates following risk assessments.
However, this new approach has caused some discussion and debate amongst groups, but experts are saying that the advice must be looked at in perspective and consideration must be given to the aim of the new guidance to make clear the role of the duty holder and to emphasise risk assessments and their importance in the process.
The fact that risk assessments are now a big part of PAT testing is not something wholly new however, advice has always recommended a risk based approach but in practice this has not always happened, and suggested testing frequencies have become the standard.
The new Code of Practice completely deviates from the possibility of this practice happening and creates a situation where duty holders must know their legal responsibilities and although they can take advice from their PAT technician, they are ultimately responsible.
Records are likely to become more heavily relied on without the test date reminder on the appliance itself and user checks and visual inspections of appliances will also be featured more.
This makes a good record system even more vital and is likely to be the point of reference for helping determine the next testing date for appliances.
Written by Sara Thomson
