PAT OK. But what about FAT?

Jun 29, 2010

Most holiday park operators and caravan retailers will understand what the fixed electrical installation comprises and portable electrical appliances are.  

The fixed electrical installation may include the mains cables, distribution equipment, sub-main cables, final circuit cables and the final connection unit.  

Portable appliances are those electrical appliances such as electric tools and extension leads, kettles and microwaves, computers and printers etc. They generally have a three- pin plug and flexible lead.

The “PRACTICAL GUIDE to the Safety Management of Electrical Installations and Distribution on Parks”, published by the British Holiday & Home Parks Association and the National Caravan Council, provides excellent guidance on electrical safety, which would be useful for park operators and retailers. This document does however include within the definition of portable appliances

“equipment (that) is not part of a fixed installation on the park but is, or is intended to be, connected to the park’s fixed installation by means of a flexible cable (lead) and a plug and/or a permanently wired lead.”

This would include any electrical appliances connected to the fixed installation by means of a flexible lead and a permanent connection such as a fused spur. Such appliances may be hair dryers in shower blocks or irons in a campsite laundry facility. These appliances, which can suffer abuse and neglect from campers, should be inspected and tested. 

It has come to our attention that portable appliance testers may not include these appliances within their programme, as there is no three-pin plug to connect to the portable appliance-testing device. Equally, the fixed electrical installation inspection may not pick up damage to a flexible lead, as it does not come within their scope for the “installation”. 

We would recommend that Park Operators consider whether they have any “Fixed Appliances” (portable appliances with a permanently wired lead) and ensure either the Portable Appliance Tester or the electrical contractor who inspects the fixed installation picks up the Fixed Appliance Testing. 

Make sure there is no chance of FAT falling through the gap. Contact Mark Dalton for further information mark.dalton@wilbyltd.co.uk