OT, possibly .. PAT Testing ..

[Paul - xxx]

Technically this isn't a DIY situation as I'm a school caretaker who works in an infant school and the question pertains to work, but I'll be doing it rather than calling 'trades' in ... ;)

I currently have a C&G cert for PAT testing from 2004, only used it in anger that year, then moved schools and didn't get chance to continue doing PAT testing. Now my school and it's neighbour are getting larger and the other school has a PAT testing appliance, but their caretaker is now on long-term sickness.

Can anyone say definitively whether I need to do an improvers course, or updating course for the certification, or is it just to say I'm competent?

The equipment is calibrated annually, but no-one wants to stick their necks out and say yes I can do it or not .. and no-one (council managers!) knows which refresher courses I would need to make it viable for me to do the testing ... bloody council's a shambles ...

C&G website hasn't been helpful, but that's maybe me rushing and missing stuff ..

Thanks, in anticipation ..

[Andrew Gabriel]

I think you're covered from an HSE point of view, but do check their website as I could be out of date on their requirements.

You might need to check on insurance cover too.

Other than that, it's really down to you to know if you think you need a refresher course. At least make sure you have the latest edition of the IEE In-service inspection and testing manual, and you are familiar with it.

[Andy Wade]

A starting point would be to update your knowledge. The IET code of practice (being the inspection and testers' bible) was revised in 2008:

don't think there's an updating course, as such. You'd have to re-take the 2377. While there's no statutory requirement to be qualified, you do need to be demonstrably competent. The general view seems to be that tickets like the 2377 and 2391 last for 5 years. Given the changes in the official guidance, the fact that you've been out of practice, that your work is mainly not as an electrical specialist, and the high level of responsibility that goes with your position, I'd say that a re-take would be a very good idea.

[Paul - xxx]

That seems eminently sensible advice, thanks.

It's broadly along the lines we were thinking of. We are trying to get the PAT testing done cheaply, but to my mind, competence and responsibility need checking externally, even if only occasionally, so we do need to find some training funding, which the head is quite good at really!