Method Statement

Introduction:
This document is designed to provide information on the procedures followed by 'Reliable Pat Testing' with regard to undertaking electrical safety checks and verification of Portable Appliance Testing. (P.A.T)

Scope:
P.A.T testing involves pre-planning and careful selection and training of P.A.T testing engineers.
These procedures are performed in accordance with the current guidance issued by the IEE (Institute of Electrical Engineers), The Electricity at Work Act 1998 and The Health and Safety Executive and are designed to protect employees from danger of shock, fire or hazard from portable and transportable equipment.

General Definitions:
Authorised Personal.
The term authorised personal is used throughout this document to whom the responsibility has been given to conduct tests in accordance with 'Reliable Pat Testing' test procedures.
Client's Representative.
This term is used throughout to whom the responsibility is given by the client to oversee P.A.T testing activities on the particular site.
Inspection Equipment.
All devices used to measure, gauge, test, inspect or otherwise quantify the characteristics of an article.
Standard.
An instrument, device or materials of known characteristics used to establish the accuracy of measurement system or device.
Calibration.
A comparison between a standard of measuring equipment, instrument or items of equipment with a standard of higher accuracy to detect, correlate, adjust and document the accuracy of the instrument or being compared or tested.
Traceability.
All measuring or test equipment shall be calibrated using a standard whose accuracy can be traced either directly or via an intermediary to a national standard. All standards used are supported by certificates, reports or data sheets at testing and the accuracy and conditions, under which the standards, results where obtained.
Safety.
'Reliable Pat Testing' shall use only competent and experienced personnel to carry out the P.A.T testing procedures. Before commencement of any verification check, it will be established that the equipment is de-energised and all necessary safety precautions have been taken for a specific sequence of inspection and test procedures. The client's safety permit systems will be adhered to if in operation. Failing the existence of a system 'Reliable Pat Testing' reserve the right to introduce one if thought necessary.

Project Management:
'Reliable Pat Testing' remains independent from the day to day building management and can thus provide an objective, third party approach to the equipment under test and action taken. 'Reliable Pat Testing' shall also control, maintain and issue records of test results and other verification documents.

Procedures:
All inspection and test procedures are carried out in accordance with the procedural checklists issued by the test equipment manufacturer to comply with the minimum requirements of portable appliance testing.
It is the authorised personnel's responsibility to maintain the test results and complete relevant tests for each item of equipment.
Prior to any test being carried out it shall be the authorised personnel's responsibility to ensure that the testing is carried out in a safe and secure manner. The work area should be clean with adequate access and all test equipment and tooling available to complete the work.
The authorised personnel will give adequate notice to the client's representative of the intention to test.
Each appliance tested is completed separately. Before testing begins the appliance will be switched off and disconnected from the mains supply.
Where computers are involved the authorised personnel will request the equipment to be shut down by the operator responsible for the equipment, unless prior consent has been given by the clients representative for the authorised personnel to shut down the equipment. Also computer and other IT equipment will have the IEC lead tested separately to the equipment because IT equipment cannot under go the same test required on the IEC lead. (Any firm testing different to this is either not testing IEC leads correctly or running unsafe tests on IT equipment, there is no other way around it!)
A visual check will be performed checking the plug, connections, fuse size, flexible cable damage and the casing of the appliance.
The appliance is then connected to the test equipment appropriate for the tests to be performed.
The test equipment when connected to the mains performs a self check function and when this has completed the testing of the appliance under test can proceed.
The tests to be undertaken will be dependant on the different type of equipment such as:
Class 1 - an earthed appliance.
Class 2 - a double insulated appliance.
An appliance containing capacitors or electronics.
An appliance required to be 'flash tested'.
Once the type of equipment has been determined tests are carried out automatically and incrementally so that should a test fail, subsequent tests cannot be performed.
Following a successful sequence of tests to verify the equipment is suitable for a safe and continued use, then a label will be affixed stating the appliance number, passed and a retest date.
Any modifications carried out or replacements required to conclude a successful test shall be noted on the report sheet.
If a successful test cannot be carried out, the authorised personnel shall quarantine the equipment and list any defects for presentation to the client's engineer.
Minor defects will be rectified before testing is performed. (e.g. fuse change or re-termination of the plug, change of plug etc.)
When an appliance has failed, a label is affixed to the plug and appliance stating that it has failed, the equipment operator will be informed and the client's representative notified so that the appliance can be removed from service.
Labels are printed and not hand written. Previous labels will be removed to avoid confusion.
'Reliable Pat Testing' shall compile all the test sheets duly completed and signed, into dossiers. The dossiers shall contain the record of all checks and tests carried out on the equipment.
'Reliable Pat Testing' will perform P.A.T testing with the minimum of disruption to the building occupier. Certain strategic equipment will need to be made available ready for test and these will be identified such that a predetermined time can be agreed so the equipment will be closed down to be tested.

Inspection Equipment:
Inspection equipment is provided and maintained in accordance with the following procedures.
All equipment is identified with a unique serial number.
Those items of equipment to be used for test or measurement purposes at any site or location shall be identified for inclusion within the calibration system.
Each item within the calibration system has an individual calibration sheet which is maintained at the 'Reliable Pat testing' office. The calibration sheet shows the following information:
Equipment description.
Equipment serial number.
Equipment model number.
Date of calibration.
Recommended date of next calibration.
Calibration certificate number.
Calibrating agency.
Each item is calibrated in accordance with its relevant defined procedure and within the calibration interval of twelve months or otherwise stated.
After calibration access to internal adjustments is sealed and where practical each item displays a current calibration label showing the next calibration and certificate of conformity reference number.
All calibration agencies are approved by the British Calibration Service of the National Physics Laboratory and work carried out is in accordance with BS5781: Part 1.
Any item of equipment within the calibration system found to be incorrect or damaged shall be identified and quarantined.
A review of installations that have been tested using the equipment will be undertaken by the authorised person and where found necessary the installation will be re-tested.
Any item of inspection equipment quarantined will be either disposed of or sent to the calibrating agency of recalibration for repair and calibration.

Records for Inspection Equipment:
Records of test equipment are maintained on an inspection equipment register, together with accompanying certificates of conformity.
The register is maintained detailing each location the instrument has been used.