PAT Testing

[Anonymous]

Is there a regulation that makes PAT testing compulsory for almshouses, particularly with regard to residents’ own electrical equipment?

Rob Rimell
Trustee
Pate House Charity

[Sharon Manning]

We have a just been through this question following our fire risk assessment, and after consultation with out health and Safety advisor , yes you must have PAT testing of all electrical items belonging to the Charity , including in the dwellings them selves but, their personal equipment i.e. TV kettle etc. they are like any other private household. However we do recommend it to our residents and our electrician does offer this service to them at a reasonable rate.

[PateHouse]

Thank you so much for this, Sharon. It appears we have been “overdoing” it! During our recent PAT testing, the electrician tested everything, including residents’ own equipment – all paid for by the charity.

[PateHouse]

Do you know if ovens, which are fixed, need PAT testing?

[clerk.stjohnswilton]

Dear All

Everything you need to know on this subject is all set out in the excellent Standards of Almshouse Management (Section 7.9.3) … .

The link you want is at https://www.almshouses.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/SAM-Consolidated-2025-edition-26-2-25-v8-FINAL.pdf

Nick Stiven
clerk@stjohnswilton.org.uk

[catherine.attwood@trinityhouse.co.uk]

Hello Rob

In case this is of interest…

Five years ago, we made a conscious decision in our electrical safety policy to include residents’ own portable appliances in our annual PAT testing of charity-owned appliances. We publicise this to residents as a ‘benefit’ to them, provided by the charity. Our residents really appreciate this extra service.

Given that some residents purchase second-hand electrical equipment, and/or have some quite old electrical appliances, PAT testing of resident-owned appliances is also a great benefit to the charity, as by doing so it reduces the risk of a faulty electrical appliance causing fire in our almshouses.

Kind regards

Catherine Attwood
General Manager
The Trinity House Maritime Charity

[Author]

Posts