How to you know the company is actually carrying out the testing to IEE guidelines Some companies just provides pass or fail and may not actually carry out proper testing. Ask if the company provides the numeric results for each test and if it can be shown in the software provided. Are the company accredited by an external organization such as NICEIC or ECA? Not only this does this ensure that the company adheres to strict procedures for testing but also that the external organization will visit the company to check the quality of their work. Also this will backed up by the organization's guarantee scheme in the event of poor workmanship or the company going into administration. Do the engineers have City & Guilds 2377? Make sure you ask for copies of their certificates. C&G 2377 in the nationwide recognised qualification for PAT Testing. Have you asked for references? Always ask for references of their existing work and make sure you contact them. Do they charge extra for working out of hours? Especially in an office environment testing out of hours in an effective way of reducing business interruption while testing is carried out. Do the company comply with the latest Heath & Safety Regulations? Ask them to provide their Health & Safety Plan, risk assessments and method statements. Ask questions about these to make sure they understand the documents and how to reduce the risk while working on your premises and to check they just haven't downloaded documents from the Internet. Do you have proof of insurance? Ask for the latest copies of their employers and public liability and check that the cover is adequate. How do they pay their technicians? Ask if they are paid per item or are they salaried. If they are paid per item will they take the time to look for the more difficult items or will they "make up" items that don't exist. How much are they charging? Prices for testing usually vary from 1.00 to 2.00 per item so quotes may vary depending on how many items you have and the environment they are in. Beware of companies charging less than a pound as they may not be complying with the IEE guidelines. Adrian Pendle, director of Intersafe Ltd, is a graduate in Economics. After University he worked in Financial Services in London before starting to work in the family firm. Being involved in all aspects of running a company it was in 1995 that he decided to start his own and formed Intersafe Ltd. While buying in PAT Testing services for the family company Adrian felt that the market for these services was not well served so took the decision to offer his own services via Intersafe Ltd. Adrian enjoys spending time with his young family and is a keen tennis player. Intersafe Limited, Southampton International Business Park, George Curl Way, Southampton, Hampshire, SO18 2RZ, Telephone: 02380 236200, Fax: 02380 302244, http://www.intersafe.co.uk , info@intersafe.co.uk |
