What Equipment Needs PAT Testing In A School?

Electrical equipment runs through the entire school day, used by hundreds of people across different departments. 

Schools have hundreds of items spread across classrooms, offices and specialist teaching areas. All of it needs to stay safe.

Regular testing catches faults early, keeps equipment safe and helps schools meet their responsibilities to staff and students.

Why Schools Test Electrical Equipment

Few workplaces use as much electrical equipment as a school. Devices run constantly, get moved between rooms and pass through different hands throughout the day.

Everyday use takes its toll. Cables wear, plugs crack and faults develop that are not immediately obvious. 

A charging lead that looks fine from across the room may already have damage building near the plug or along the cable.

PAT testing or ITEE picks up these problems before they become serious. That reduces the risk of equipment failures, electric shocks and electrical faults.

Which School Equipment Usually Needs PAT Testing?

People are often surprised by how much falls under testing programmes. Classroom equipment, administration, food preparation and site maintenance are all typically included.

Different equipment wears differently. Some items sit in the same spot for years. Others get moved, unplugged and handled every single day.

Classroom Technology

Most of the electrical equipment used in lessons falls here:

• Computers

• Laptops

• Interactive whiteboards

• Projectors

• Visualisers

• Document cameras

• Laptop charging trolleys

These devices run throughout the day. Many get unplugged, reconnected or moved regularly. Charging cables and power supplies take the most punishment because they are handled constantly.

Equipment also gets shifted between classrooms or stored away when not needed. That repeated movement places strain on plugs, cables and power supplies over time.

Kitchen And Staff Room Appliances

Schools hold a wide variety of appliances well outside the classroom:

• Ovens

• Hobs

• Mixers

• Microwaves

• Fridges

• Toasters

• Blenders

• Food processors

• Kettles

• Coffee machines

Some equipment lives in food technology rooms. Others collect in staff rooms and office areas. Many run repeatedly throughout the week, which makes regular testing a straightforward part of keeping things maintained.

Even lower risk equipment develops faults over time. Frequent use, heat and everyday wear all affect electrical safety.

Specialist And Portable Equipment

Not everything stays put. Some items move constantly. Others operate in more demanding conditions.

This category includes:

• Power supplies

• Heating equipment

• Specialist measuring apparatus

• Microscopes

• Extension leads

• Portable heaters

• Fans

• Vacuum cleaners

• Power tools

• Pressure washers

• Floor polishers

Science equipment faces higher temperatures during normal use. Portable equipment gets knocked, moved and shoved into storage regularly. 

Both situations accelerate wear and damage. Neither should be overlooked when planning testing programmes.

Common Problems Found During School PAT Testing

Most electrical faults start small and get worse if nobody spots them.

Charging leads and power cables are a frequent problem. Constant plugging and unplugging creates strain near connection points and eventually damages the outer cable covering.

Extension leads cause their own issues. Damage builds up when furniture gets pushed against sockets or equipment moves between rooms.

Engineers also find cracked plugs, loose connections, broken casings and signs of heat damage. 

Catching these faults early stops unsafe equipment remaining in use when it should have been pulled from service.

How Schools Keep Track Of Equipment Safety

PAT testing is not only about finding faults. It gives schools a clear record of what has been checked and when.

The process starts with a visual inspection. Engineers look carefully at each item for signs of damage before moving on to electrical testing with specialist equipment.

Visual checks often find problems before any testing even starts. Damaged cables, cracked plugs, broken casings and loose connections show up regularly at this stage.

Once testing is done, each item gets a label showing the test date and when the next check is due. Those labels help schools track equipment across different rooms and departments without losing track.

Schools also receive a full report covering what was tested, where each item was located and whether it passed or failed. That documentation shows equipment is being maintained and monitored properly.

Failed items are removed immediately and stay out until the fault has been addressed.

Keeping School Equipment Safe Throughout The Year

Managing electrical equipment across classrooms, offices and specialist teaching areas can be difficult, especially when a school has hundreds of items on site. 

Regular PAT testing helps identify faults early and provides clear records of equipment safety.

At TISS Electrical, we provide PAT testing for schools, colleges and universities across Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire. 

Our engineers carry enhanced DBS checks for working in schools and know how educational settings operate. We work around teaching schedules and help minimise disruption while testing takes place.

To arrange school PAT testing, call TISS Electrical on 01245 377 625.

Why Offices Should Get PAT Testing Done After Moving Premises

If your office has just moved, you should arrange PAT testing straight away. It is one of the simplest ways to make sure everything is safe before your team settles in.

Moving equipment, unplugging cables and setting everything back up can create risks you would not normally see.

What Changes When You Move Office

Even if your equipment worked fine before, a move can affect it. During a move:

• Cables get bent, stretched or damaged

• Plugs are removed and reconnected many times

• Equipment is handled, packed and unpacked

• New desk layouts can lead to overloaded sockets

Small issues like this often go unnoticed but can become safety risks later.

Your Duty Of Care Still Applies

The law does not change just because you moved buildings. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, you must make sure all electrical equipment is safe to use.

That includes:

• Computers and monitors

• Chargers and power leads

• Extension cables and adapters

If your team is using it for work, you are responsible for it.

Why Testing After A Move Makes Sense

PAT testing, now known as ITEE (Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment), checks that your equipment is safe after it has been moved and set up again. This is important because faults are often caused during handling, not daily use. 

A quick test can pick up damaged cables, identify overheating risks, spot worn or unsafe items and prevent future faults or fire risks It gives you a clear starting point in your new office.

It Is Not Just About Large Equipment

One of the biggest risks comes from small items. Things like phone chargers, USB cables and extension leads are used all day and often left plugged in.

These can wear out quickly, overheat if damaged and be missed during basic checks.

Under the newer ITEE approach, these items are included because they pose real risks.

Why The Name Changed From PAT Testing

You will still hear the term PAT testing but the correct term is now ITEE.

This change reflects a wider focus. It is not just about portable appliances anymore. It covers all electrical equipment that could pose a risk, including cables and accessories.

This is especially important after a move, where these smaller items are often affected the most.

Need PAT Testing After Your Office Move?

Getting testing done after moving is a small job that can prevent serious issues.

It shows you are taking safety seriously, keeps you in line with your legal duties and gives peace of mind to your team.

If you have recently moved premises or are about to, now is the right time to check your equipment.

TISS Electrical carry out ITEE testing for businesses of all sizes. Call our team at 01245 377 625 today and we will make sure your equipment is safe, compliant and ready for use in your new space.

Does Your Company Have A Duty Of Care For Home Workers Equipment?

Yes, your company still has a duty of care, even when staff work from home.

Just because the equipment is not in your office does not mean your responsibility disappears. If your team uses electrical equipment for work, you are expected to make sure it is safe.

What The Law Says In Simple Terms

Two key laws apply here:

• The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974

• The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989

These require employers to make sure electrical equipment is safe to use. This includes anything your staff use to do their job, whether that is in an office or at home.

So if an employee is using a laptop, monitor, charger or extension lead for work, you still have a responsibility to manage the risk.

Does This Apply To Home Working?

Yes, it does. Home working does not remove your duty of care. It just changes how you manage it. For example, you may not be able to inspect everything in person, but you should still:

• Make sure equipment is suitable and safe

• Give clear guidance on safe use

• Check for obvious risks where possible

If something goes wrong and you have not taken reasonable steps, it can still come back to you as the employer.

What Equipment Should You Be Thinking About?

It is not just large items like computers. You should also think about:

• Chargers and power cables

• Extension leads

• Docking stations

• Any electrical item used for work

These smaller items are often the biggest risk because they are used daily and can wear out quickly.

Why “PAT Testing” Is No Longer The Full Picture

You may already be familiar with PAT testing. Today, the correct term is ITEE, which stands for Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment.

PAT testing focused on portable items but ITEE covers all electrical equipment that could pose a risk. That includes things like cables and accessories, which were often missed before.

This wider approach reflects how real risks happen in everyday use.

How Damaged Cables Can Become A Fire Risk At Home

Imagine a home worker using a laptop charger all day, every day. The plug might be fine but the cable could be worn or damaged. Over time, it heats up and becomes a fire risk.

Under older thinking, that cable might not even be checked. Under ITEE, it is part of the inspection because it clearly poses a risk.

What Should Employers Actually Do?

You do not need to overcomplicate it. Focus on simple, practical steps:

• Provide safe, good quality equipment

• Replace damaged items quickly

• Encourage staff to report faults

• Carry out checks where possible

The goal is to reduce risk, not create paperwork.

Why Employers Must Take Home Working Safety Seriously

Home working is now normal for many businesses. That means more electrical equipment is being used outside controlled office environments. 

Risks can build up quietly, especially with everyday items like chargers and cables.

Taking a broader approach to electrical safety helps prevent small issues from turning into serious problems.

Need Help Managing Electrical Safety For Your Team?

If you are unsure how to handle testing for office or home working equipment, TISS Electrical can help. Call 01245 377 625 to arrange ITEE testing for your business. 

We will guide you through what needs checking, carry out proper inspections and make sure your equipment is safe and compliant. Simple, clear and done properly.