| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| PaulB |
Posted - 12/04/2012 : 13:34:45
Has anyone had their gear tested recently? We get all of ours tested as some venues insist on certificates and proof of testing and we've just had all of our gear done. Now the new test certificate states that the next test is not due for 3 years?
Am pretty sure that last time it was only valid for a year - have the rules changed? |
| 22 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| meat2veg |
Posted - 16/04/2012 : 09:41:46
See, the thing with the fake stickers is that I regularly get stuff turning up on jobs which has a sticker on which cannot possibly have passed a PAT test. A cable with either a socket at both ends or a plug at both ends, for instance. |
| Nationwidepattesting |
Posted - 15/04/2012 : 21:58:01
quote:
Originally posted by Henry Piper
The whole thing is a mockery, as I understand it provided your equipment is regularly inspected, and conforms to the various electricity in the workplace requirements there is no legal requirment for any specific testing or certification, although possesion of some sort of paperwork,might reassure a prospective booker.
as far as I am aware there is no standard examination or recognised qualification as a "P.A.T Tester" anyway.
since the "regulations" appeared we have only been asked for certificates a few times, (mainly by Agents), and NEVER been asked to produce them at a venue.
Hi, the recognised qualification is City and Guilds 2377 for in service inspection and testing of electrical equipment. |
| Rocket |
Posted - 13/04/2012 : 17:12:39
quote:
Originally posted by Henry Piper
The whole thing is a mockery, as I understand it provided your equipment is regularly inspected, and conforms to the various electricity in the workplace requirements there is no legal requirment for any specific testing or certification,
Correct, however most/all insurance policies will have a clause in relating to regular service/maintenance of electrical items and ensuring they're safe and fit for use...PAT testing is 'the' most accepted way of doing this. If a faulty kettle starts a fire and burns the building down, your PAT testing logs will show you had taken reasonable steps to ensure the equipment was fit for use.
quote:
Originally posted by Henry Piper
as far as I am aware there is no standard examination or recognised qualification as a "P.A.T Tester" anyway.
Correct. |
| Yard |
Posted - 13/04/2012 : 16:44:00
The venues supplying the power should be checked and trips fitted.
If your equipment is dodgy you lose your power in an instant. |
| piph |
Posted - 13/04/2012 : 16:32:07
There certainly isn't a blank roll of blank PAT stickers in my gig bag, just incase... |
| Henry Piper |
Posted - 13/04/2012 : 16:21:51
The whole thing is a mockery, as I understand it provided your equipment is regularly inspected, and conforms to the various electricity in the workplace requirements there is no legal requirment for any specific testing or certification, although possesion of some sort of paperwork,might reassure a prospective booker.
as far as I am aware there is no standard examination or recognised qualification as a "P.A.T Tester" anyway.
since the "regulations" appeared we have only been asked for certificates a few times, (mainly by Agents), and NEVER been asked to produce them at a venue. |
| Henry Piper |
Posted - 13/04/2012 : 16:15:51
quote:
Originally posted by Rhythm and Blooze
There was a PAT inspection during summer last year and one of the guys left a roll of stickers with dates on & all ready to attach to devices when he left.
I waited a day, no one came back for them so now all our gear has the requisite sticker to show it is PAT tested, even though it hasn't and no one has ever challenged us for the certificates.
I can't decide if that is because, they are lazy, assume we have the certificates or more likely IMHO, CBA.
It makes a mockery of the whole set up.
|
| Rhythm and Blooze |
Posted - 13/04/2012 : 13:30:48
There was a PAT inspection during summer last year and one of the guys left a roll of stickers with dates on & all ready to attach to devices when he left.
I waited a day, no one came back for them so now all our gear has the requisite sticker to show it is PAT tested, even though it hasn't and no one has ever challenged us for the certificates.
I can't decide if that is because, they are lazy, assume we have the certificates or more likely IMHO, CBA.
It makes a mockery of the whole set up. |
| Bazarre |
Posted - 12/04/2012 : 20:20:34
quote:
Originally posted by Henry Piper
I played a wedding gig a couple of years ago,in a posh hotel complex outside Maidstone in Kent, the venue insisted on Pat certification, which we provided, (one of our members is a pat tester)
when we arrived, no one even asked to see the certification, and the power supply on stage was a double 13A socket, hanging of the wall by its supply wires !!
We refused to play until we were given an alternative power source, but in conversation with the maintenance man who jury rigged us a safe power supply,I found out that the venue had no testing of any sort on the power supply,itself only on items attached to it like lamps, teasmades, etc.
Surely it should work both ways.
... and you didn't pop in for a cup of tea and a chat? Shame on you. |
| Henry Piper |
Posted - 12/04/2012 : 20:00:08
I played a wedding gig a couple of years ago,in a posh hotel complex outside Maidstone in Kent, the venue insisted on Pat certification, which we provided, (one of our members is a pat tester)
when we arrived, no one even asked to see the certification, and the power supply on stage was a double 13A socket, hanging of the wall by its supply wires !!
We refused to play until we were given an alternative power source, but in conversation with the maintenance man who jury rigged us a safe power supply,I found out that the venue had no testing of any sort on the power supply,itself only on items attached to it like lamps, teasmades, etc.
Surely it should work both ways. |
| Dezzie |
Posted - 12/04/2012 : 18:55:25
Surely the nature of the work and the abuse the gear takes (Load In/Out) would require strict safety ruling..? |
| Yard |
Posted - 12/04/2012 : 17:30:52
I am surprised that any work gets done on site these days due to the filling in of H&S forms before you can even knock a nail in?
The paperwork these days is killing the business long with Risk Assessments etc...
I know the old saying is 'If it saves one life' but theres a few that just need to go to do us a favour!! |
| Rocket |
Posted - 12/04/2012 : 17:11:01
quote:
Originally posted by Bazarre
Guy lives opposite me is a carpenter and he works on many different construction sites in London. Maybe only a few days on each site sometimes. It's got silly now, because he has to have a new PAT ticket on his mains powered stuff each time he goes to a new site!
If this is true this is ridiculous.
By the way, people say 'DIY' PAT etc - all PAT can be DIY. You do not actually need any formal qualification to do PAT testing, and in fact there is no recognised qualification in 'PAT Testing'.
You do need to be competent however! The commonly recognised qualification is the City & Guilds although there are loads of people offering 'unrecognised' courses. |
| Yard |
Posted - 12/04/2012 : 17:00:25
They could also insist that the power supply in venues is up to scratch so that the backline feed trips off sharpish...
Our stuff is Pat tested by our tour 'boffin' which makes him an even smugger,real ale drinking,bumbag wearing,365 day shorts wearing mug...oops that slipped out? |
| MrNoisy |
Posted - 12/04/2012 : 16:44:47
SHOCKING if you ask me |
| Bazarre |
Posted - 12/04/2012 : 16:32:30
Guy lives opposite me is a carpenter and he works on many different construction sites in London. Maybe only a few days on each site sometimes. It's got silly now, because he has to have a new PAT ticket on his mains powered stuff each time he goes to a new site!
His solution:
http://www.screwfix.com/p/kewtech-test-report-pads-pack-of-500/97150
DIY PAT - no probs.
|
| OriginalAnimal |
Posted - 12/04/2012 : 15:43:49
I have seen the other side and no inspected equipment electrocuting people!
Generally the test is valid for a year, Hire companies have to test everytime the equipment goes out.
We used to inspect lighting every three months, but do an informal inspection every time it was used.
With your own gear, you should visually inspect it each time you use it, but never leave it longer than a year for a formal inspection, unless you never take it out of the house. |
| Rocket |
Posted - 12/04/2012 : 14:57:30
quote:
Originally posted by scoobydude
If it was tested ok in January, it doesn't mean it's still safe in November, but the certificate will still be accepted by people running venues that want to see it.
Much like an MOT on a car, but they'll still accept your MOT certificate in November to tax your car.
Or is that also a huge money making scam dreamt up by people that don't know what they're doing? |
| scoobydude |
Posted - 12/04/2012 : 14:26:49
It proves virtually nothing. I've seen brand new guitar amps fail before now. It proves that the piece of equipment passes a very limited test on the day it's tested. It doesn't prove it's safe, and it certainly means nothing afterwards. If it was tested ok in January, it doesn't mean it's still safe in November, but the certificate will still be accepted by people running venues that want to see it. it's a huge money making scam dreamt up by people that don't really know what they're doing to prove that they've taken action. |
| Rocket |
Posted - 12/04/2012 : 14:06:05
I used to think the same but I have to admit I've seen and tested (and failed!) some pretty dangerous stuff. |
| shoestring |
Posted - 12/04/2012 : 14:04:15
PAT testing, another cash generating waste of time invented for the PC brigade. Load of
bollix. However i'm sure someone can enlighten me on it's true value.
|
| Rocket |
Posted - 12/04/2012 : 13:51:27
The IET code of practice recommends different intervals for both visual and functional checks depending on what the equipment is that it being tested. But it seems to be generally accepted to test everything for one year, I've never actually heard of a tester issuing a 3 year certificate.
If you have got one that clearly states it's valid for 3 years then you're quids in. I can't imagine anyone at any venue questioning it and they'd have to know what they were talking about and know in detail about your equipment if they did. |
All Forums
PAT Testing
