The Test and Tag Process in Perth: 6 Things to Expect
Most businesses know they need it without really knowing what happens on the day. The test and tag process is more thorough than the name suggests, and knowing what to expect makes it easier to prepare. Here are six things to expect for a Perth workplace.
1. A walk through the site first
The test and tag process usually starts with identifying what actually needs testing, which is often more than people expect once storerooms and back-of-house are included. Knowing what is on site, and where, is what makes the rest of the visit efficient.
2. A visual inspection of each item
Before anything is plugged into a tester, each item gets looked at: the plug, the lead, the casing, the switch. A surprising share of failures in the test and tag process are found here, because damage you can see rarely needs an instrument to confirm.
3. Electrical testing with an instrument
Items are then tested with a purpose-built tester that checks things the eye cannot, such as insulation and earth continuity. This is the part of the test and tag process that catches the faults developing inside a lead or appliance before they become dangerous.
4. Tagging what passes
Anything that passes gets a tag showing it was tested, by whom, and when the next test is due. That tag is the visible half of the test and tag process, and it is what lets anyone on site see at a glance that an item is current.
5. Failed items removed
Anything that fails comes out of service rather than back onto the shelf. Depending on the item, it may be repaired on the spot or replaced. Removing failures properly is the point of the test and tag process, since finding a fault achieves nothing if the item keeps being used.
6. A register at the end
You should finish with documentation: a register listing every item tested, its result and its next due date. This is the half of the test and tag process people forget, and it is what an insurer or auditor asks for when it matters.
How long it takes
It depends almost entirely on the item count. A small office is often a short visit, while a large site with hundreds of items across multiple areas takes considerably longer. Knowing roughly how many items you have makes it much easier to schedule sensibly.
How to prepare
Make sure equipment is accessible rather than buried, let staff know it is happening, and flag anything already known to be faulty. A little preparation removes most of the friction, and it means the visit is not spent waiting for someone to unlock a storeroom.
It happens around your operation
Testing does not need to shut anything down. Most visits are scheduled around trading hours, quiet periods or a shift changeover, and equipment is generally only out of use for the minute or two it takes to check each item.
When testing finds something bigger
Sometimes the fault is not the appliance at all but the outlet, circuit or board it plugs into. That is beyond the test and tag process itself and needs an electrician to investigate, or an Emergency Electrician Perth if it comes with heat, scorching or a burning smell.
Why use a licensed electrician
Having a licensed electrician run the test and tag process means whoever finds a fault can also repair it and look at the wiring behind it, rather than simply noting a failure and leaving. The state’s Building and Energy sets the broader requirements involved.
Want to know what the test and tag process involves for your Perth site?
ACS Electrical tests, tags, repairs and documents it, and is an Emergency Electrician Perth if a fault turns up. Explore our test and tag requirements guide, test and tag record keeping guide or commercial electricians service. Call 0419 967 838.