Hand Dryers
Washroom hand dryers are commonly connected through a fused connection unit and should be identified within the equipment review.
Electrical Advice
Fixed Appliance Testing Explained for Northern Ireland Businesses
Understand how hard wired equipment should be assessed and where fixed appliance testing sits alongside PAT testing and an EICR.
Hard Wired Equipment
Planned Isolation
Risk Based Assessment
Clear Test Records
A Separate Part of Electrical Safety
Some Equipment Sits Outside Ordinary PAT Testing
Fixed appliances are connected directly to the electrical installation rather than through an ordinary plug and socket. Common examples include hand dryers, water heaters and some commercial kitchen equipment.
Because the connection and construction differ from portable equipment, the inspection and testing method must suit the appliance. The scope should be agreed by someone who understands the equipment, how it is used and the environment in which it operates.
Identify
The Equipment
Isolate
Where Required
Record
The Result
Define the Right Scope
The connection method, equipment type and operating environment help determine the suitable assessment.
Equipment to Consider
Common Types of Fixed Appliance
These examples help organisations recognise equipment that may not appear on a portable appliance register. The exact testing requirement still depends on competent assessment.
Water Heaters
Local water heating equipment may be wired directly into the installation and exposed to regular use or moisture.
Kitchen Equipment
Commercial ovens, dishwashers and other fixed kitchen equipment may need assessment outside the ordinary PAT programme.
Workshop Equipment
Fixed tools and machinery should be reviewed according to their connection, construction and working environment.
Heating Equipment
Storage heaters and similar fixed equipment may require inspection that includes the appliance rather than only the supply circuit.
Other Hard Wired Equipment
A room by room survey can identify appliances that are connected through isolators or fused connection units.
Useful Next Steps
Related Electrical Services
Choose the service that best matches the equipment, installation or action identified in this guide.
Fixed Appliance Testing
Arrange inspection and testing for suitable hard wired commercial equipment.
Commercial PAT Testing
Plan inspection and testing for portable and moveable workplace equipment.
Fixed Wire Testing and EICR
Assess the condition of the building electrical installation with clear observations.
Workplace Appliance Guide
Review the equipment groups that should be considered within a workplace maintenance programme.
PAT Testing, Fixed Appliances and EICRs
Understand Which Service Covers What
The three services assess different parts of workplace electrical safety. Defining those boundaries helps avoid missed equipment and duplicate work.
PAT testing covers portable and moveable equipment within the agreed programme
Fixed appliance testing assesses suitable hard wired or secured equipment
An EICR assesses the condition of the building electrical installation
The connection point should be identified before deciding the testing method
Visual inspection remains an important part of equipment assessment
The programme should reflect equipment risk and previous findings
A Practical Testing Process
From Equipment Review to Clear Records
The exact tests depend on the appliance and connection, but the management process should remain clear and traceable.
01
Identify
Confirm the equipment, connection method, location and available manufacturer information.
02
Plan
Agree access and any isolation needed to assess the equipment safely.
03
Inspect and Test
Complete suitable visual inspection and electrical tests according to the equipment and competent assessment.
04
Report
Record the item, result, finding and any recommended next action.
A Risk Based Programme
Testing Frequency Should Reflect the Equipment
There is no single interval that suits every appliance. Equipment type, environment, movement, use, manufacturer information and previous findings should inform the maintenance approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear Answers Before You Book
A fixed appliance is generally equipment connected directly to the electrical installation through a fused connection unit, isolator or another fixed connection rather than an ordinary plug and socket.
A hand dryer that is wired directly into the installation is normally considered within fixed appliance assessment rather than ordinary portable appliance testing. The connection should be confirmed before the scope is agreed.
An EICR assesses the condition of the fixed electrical installation. A connected appliance may need a separate assessment to cover the equipment beyond its connection point.
No universal annual interval applies to every item. The maintenance approach should reflect the equipment, environment, use, manufacturer information and previous findings.
The record should identify the equipment, location, inspection or test date, result and any finding that requires further action. The exact document format depends on the agreed scope.
Free Site Survey
Book a Free Site Survey
Choose a preferred date and tell us about the hard wired equipment at your premises. The CTS team will call to confirm availability and arrange a suitable time.
Speak to CTS
Commercial Support Across Northern Ireland
Talk directly to our Lisburn team about scope, access, testing or the best next step for your premises.
