HOW OFTEN SHOULD INSPECTIONS AND TAGS BE UPDATED IN

YOUR FACILITY?

Where you manage an office, or an entire production facility, staying in compliance with the Australian

code for electrical and fire safety can be a challenge. Electrical appliances testing and fire safety

equipment testing has to be performed on a regular basis. It isn't as simple as just checking to see if

something works, the codes require that your outlets and fire units be inspected and tagged. They also

require that you maintain the inspections on a set schedule. This not only can prevent fines, but it is

essential for many facilities who want to maintain low liability and insurance coverage too. You don't

have to over complicate the process to get it done, and keeping up with the schedule isn't a financial

burden – it is an investment in risk mitigation for your company.

How is electrical appliances testing performed?

Australian Standards AS/NZ3760 sets out the compliance standards for electrical outlets that all

businesses and facilities are held to in the nation. While you may think that the original contractor took

care of all this when installing the outlets, the truth is that many of the facilities were constructed prior

to the institution of the current standards, and that over time electrical lead outlets fail and are replaced.

They are often replaced with substandard equipment simply because of a lack of knowledge of which

ones will meet compliance. Electrical appliances testing is performed by a trained technician who

measures the PowerPoint at each electrical lead outlet, going plug by plug to check and make sure that

the proper loads are maintained for the point rating. If a plug fails the electrical appliances testing, the

entire outlet needs to be replaced with a standards rated outlet.

How is fire safety equipment testing is performed?

The standards set out in AS 1851 detail a specific schedule of fire safety equipment testing that is to be

performed. It begins with just a simple check of operation methods and charge and rises to 47 service

items to be checked plus re-charging, testing and compliance checks. Your fire safety checks are an

incredibly important part of your insurance review. It is essential the inspection tag be visible, up to

date and in compliance for many insurance carriers to continue coverage.

Don't try to keep track of all of this alone

Electrical appliances testing and fire safety equipment testing isn't just about getting a gizmo and doing

the checks yourself. The process is done by trained technicians who know how to resolve issues that

are spotted during testing and inspection so that you will always be safe – and always be in compliance

too. The importance of annual electrical appliances testing and fire safety equipment testing should

have a priority on your calendar. It can impact your operations budget if it isn't done, and save you

money on your insurance costs in the long run. Don't try to keep up with standards and perform the

testing yourself, leave it to professionals that excel in just that area to make sure that you are covered.