PAT testing for workplaces, offices, shops and local organisations.
We provide on-site electrical equipment inspection and testing for offices, shops, salons, hospitality premises, clinics, studios, workshops, charities and local organisations across Barrow in Furness, South Cumbria, the Lake District and North Lancashire.
If you’ve been asked to arrange PAT testing, we’ll help you get it sorted properly.
You may have been asked for PAT testing by an insurer, landlord, manager, school, charity committee, local authority, contractor, auditor or internal health and safety process. You may simply want your workplace equipment checked and recorded so you know where you stand.
We’ll help you work out what needs checking, roughly how many items are involved, how access will work on the day, and what report you’ll receive afterwards.
Workplace electrical equipment needs to be kept in a safe condition. The Electricity at Work Regulations require electrical systems to be maintained, so far as reasonably practicable, to prevent danger. PAT testing is one practical way to inspect, test where appropriate, label and record portable, movable and plug-connected equipment.
It is not about testing every item for the sake of it. The right approach depends on the equipment, how it is used, where it is used, how often it is moved, its condition, and previous inspection or testing results.
Common reasons businesses contact us
- You have been asked for a current PAT testing report
- Your insurer, landlord, manager or contractor needs equipment records
- You are updating workplace health and safety records
- You have added equipment, moved premises or changed how a space is used
- You want a clear list of passed, failed or damaged items
Not every workplace item carries the same risk.
A low-risk office monitor is not the same as an extension lead used every day in a busy café, salon, workshop or public-facing area.
Some items stay in one place and are rarely moved. Others are plugged in and unplugged regularly, used by different people, moved around the site, stored in cupboards, used near customers, or exposed to more wear and tear.
That is why a sensible PAT testing approach looks at the equipment, its condition, the environment and how it is actually used. Office monitors, printers, chargers and desk lamps may sit at the lower-risk end, while extension leads, cleaning equipment, portable tools and customer-facing equipment often need closer attention.
What happens during the visit?
We come to your premises, work through the agreed areas, check the equipment, test where appropriate, apply labels to tested items and send you a digital report for your records.
If an item fails or appears damaged, it will be clearly recorded so you can decide whether it should be repaired, replaced, removed from use, or checked further.
Included as standard
- Visual inspection of workplace equipment
- Electrical testing where appropriate
- Asset labels applied to tested items
- Failed or damaged items clearly noted
- Digital report and certificate supplied
Not sure what counts as an item?
You do not need a perfect item list before asking for a quote. A rough estimate is enough to start with, and we can help clarify the details from there.
In most workplaces, items are counted as individual pieces of electrical equipment that need their own inspection record. That might include monitors, printers, chargers, extension leads, lamps, kitchen appliances, cleaning equipment, tools, audio equipment or customer-facing electrical items.
Some equipment has detachable leads or separate power supplies. These may also need recording depending on how the equipment is set up and used.
Common items we may check
Testing planned around how your workplace actually operates.
Once the visit is arranged, the practical details matter. Some equipment may be easy to access, while other items may be behind desks, under counters, in staff rooms, in cupboards, in stock rooms or in customer-facing areas.
Access affects how long the job takes, especially in busy workplaces or multi-room premises. We plan around the real site rather than treating every item as if it takes the same amount of time.
Where possible, we work around how your premises operates so the visit is practical, organised and disruption is kept sensible.
What affects the quote?
- Approximate number of items
- Number of rooms or areas
- Access under desks, shelves or cupboards
- Customer-facing or busy areas
- Storage rooms or stock areas
- Reporting and labelling requirements
Business PAT testing quoted around the actual job.
For workplaces, pricing is based on the actual work involved, not just a simple item count.
A small office with clear access is different from a busy café, salon, workshop, school, charity building or multi-room site where equipment is spread across different areas.
You do not need an exact item count to ask for a quote. Tell us roughly what type of premises it is, where you are based, and how many items or rooms you think may be involved.
Clear records for workplace, insurance and management files.
The report is the useful record. It shows what was inspected, what was tested, what passed, what failed and what may need attention.
This can support workplace safety records, insurance queries, internal checks, landlord requests, management files or audit trails.
Your report helps show
- Which items were inspected and tested
- Which items passed
- Which items failed or showed damage
- What may need repair, replacement or further attention
PAT testing supports your wider workplace safety records. It does not replace your own risk assessments, site management duties or insurance advice.
Business PAT testing questions
Responsibilities and frequency
Is PAT testing a legal requirement for businesses?
Businesses have duties to maintain electrical equipment so it does not create danger. PAT testing is one practical way to inspect, test where appropriate and record portable, movable and plug-connected workplace equipment. The law does not set one fixed testing interval for every business or every item. You can read more in our PAT testing legal requirements guide.
Do all workplace appliances need testing every year?
No. There is no single rule that says every item must be tested every year. The right approach depends on the equipment type, use, environment, condition and previous inspection or test results. You can read more in our PAT testing frequency guide.
Equipment and access
What counts as an item?
An item is usually a piece of electrical equipment that needs its own inspection record, such as a monitor, printer, kettle, microwave, charger, extension lead, lamp, tool or other plug-connected item. Some equipment has detachable leads or power supplies, which may also need recording depending on how the item is set up.
What equipment needs testing in an office?
Common office items may include computers, monitors, printers, chargers, extension leads, desk lamps, kitchen appliances and other plug-connected equipment used by staff or visitors.
Do you test shops, salons and hospitality premises?
Yes. We can inspect and test workplace electrical equipment in shops, salons, cafés, hospitality premises, clinics, studios and other local business premises.
Can testing be done with minimal disruption?
We plan the work around the site as far as reasonably possible. Some items are quick to access, while others may be under desks, in cupboards, on shelves, in stock rooms or in customer-facing areas. Access requirements can affect the time needed.
Do I need to prepare anything before you arrive?
It helps if equipment is reasonably accessible and staff know which areas are being checked. You do not need a perfect item list, but a rough idea of the number of items, rooms and any awkward access points helps us plan the visit properly.
Reports and pricing
What records do I receive?
You receive a digital report and certificate showing what was inspected and tested, the result for each item, and any failed or damaged equipment noted during the visit. You can read more in our PAT testing report guide.
How much does business PAT testing cost?
Business PAT testing is usually quoted based on the actual work involved, including item count, site layout, access, travel, labelling requirements and reporting time. A rough item estimate is enough to start with.
Need PAT testing for a workplace?
Tell us the premises type, location and approximate number of items. A rough estimate is enough to start, and we can help clarify the details from there.