Why is PAT Testing required in Public Places but not in the Home?

Why is PAT Testing required in public places but not in the home? Well, it all comes down to responsibility. In your own home your only responsibility is yourself, whereas if you are in charge of a public area you are responsible for anyone who may use it.

There are no rules regarding electrical safety in your own home. Any problems will affect you and not other member of the public, so specific rules are not deemed necessary. Making sure any electrical items are safe for use at home is, of course, still advisable. Although there is no actual law dictating what must be done you own safety is still important.

Things are different where rental properties are concerned though. If you own a property you are renting out then you are responsible for the home being a safe place for tenants to live. So if there are appliances included they need to have passed a PAT test. Such items include ovens, microwaves, washing machines, fridges and electrical showers. If the tenants have an accident due to negligence on your part you will be held responsible.

Responsibility of others is the reason why PAT testing must have been carried out on rental properties. It is also why this is the case in other areas, such as the workplace and public areas.

In the workplace employers are responsible for their employee’s, which includes needing to make sure employees are working in a safe environment at all times. Therefore any equipment used by employees, from computers in an office to tills in a shop, and even a coffee machine, must be certified as fit for purpose.

Areas used by the general public need to be just as safe. This is the case whether equipment can affect those in a town centre or those in particular establishments. Examples of places where PAT testing should be undertaken include schools, hospitals, leisure centres and shops. Wherever there are electrical appliances, they must be safe. This means that school heads, hospital management, leisure centre management and shop managers all need to make sure equipment used on their premises are properly maintained and tested.

So, anyone responsible for an area used by others is responsible for their safety, something that includes the safety of any electrical appliances. They must make sure they are safe for use by anyone who need to, or might, use them. This is the case whoever will use them, whether they are employees, customers or general members of the public.

In the home, though, this is not necessary, assuming you are the one living there. You are responsible for it and it is up to you how you ensure your own safety. If you are making money from others staying there, however, it is another matter. This is the case if you are renting out either the entire home or just a room while living there yourself (including as a bed and breakfast or hotel). All in all it is fairly simple. If you are only responsible for you and your family there are no laws regarding this subject, if this is not the case, there are.

Andrew Marshall (c)

The Benefits of Shutters over Blinds

If you are decorating the interior of your home you may be thinking about installing blinds or shutters. Both of these have many benefits. They can be custom made (which is the case most of the time with shutters) and are adjustable. Shutters also offer other benefits that blinds do not.

Shutters are usually made of wood and have louvres that can be opened and closed to keep air, light and the weather conditions out or let them in. When wooden shutters are installed they become a real part of the home. As with blinds they have a practical purpose, but they are not just there to keep the light out and to keep the home private. They are a real permanent fixture and add value to the home, something that certainly can’t be said of other window coverings. They are permanent, as in they are fixed to the building and usually remain in place when the house is sold. They are therefore taken into consideration during the valuation of the home meaning they are effectively an investment. Shutters are generally considered more aesthetically pleasing than blinds as they give a very homely and traditional feel. They are traditional but practical.

Shutters are sturdier than blinds. Blinds are fairly easy to break, something that cannot be said for shutters. They are long lasting, in fact can last a lifetime. They usually come with a lifetime guarantee which shows the makers confidence in their product and means that any unexpected problem will be covered free of charge. The solid nature of wooden shutters means they do not let any light in, something that blinds sometimes do. Due to the types of wood used noise is blocked out when the shutters are closed.

With shutters you have a large amount of choice regarding the style. They can be painted any colour a home owner wishes. There are also a large variety of styles available, from full-height shutters to solid shutters. The amount of customisation possible is particularly useful for those who have unusually shaped windows, something that ready-made blinds do not take into consideration.

Although shutters are more expensive than blinds, some of this can be clawed back as they help to insulate a home. They can keep the cold winters out, as well as keeping the heat out during the summer. Keeping the house warmer during the winter means that heating bills can be reduced.

There are many positives in choosing shutters. They give a home a traditional feel, but also have the practical advantages of allowing light, air, and the weather conditions to come into the home, or to keep them out.

Andrew Marshall (c)