Caravan fixed heater with 13A plug, should it be PAT tested?

[logik1]

We stayed in a caravan in the last few days which had this fixed air blown heater underneath a wardrobe.

Inside the wardrobe the heater has a 13A mains plug with a PAT test sticker from 2012.

The switch on the front has been broken off and somebody has put in a block connected internally so it's hard wired to always be on.

There are potentially live and hazardous wires reachable through the hole and the caravan sites electrician didn't bat an eyelid and said that the device had previously been tested 'by accident' and didn't need testing as it's a fixed appliance.

There was another identical heater that wasn't broken but also had a PAT test sticker from 2012. Despite all this the caravan site was happy for us to continue our holiday there. We packed up early and came hone.

Does anybody have any thoughts on this?

 

[Pat H]

PAT testing is often done in a haphazard and routine way in setups like this.
People are happy to see a correctly dated sticker and I've seen people just update stickers.
I'd be most surprised if the unit isn't supplied by an RCD so as additional protection the risks are lower. However its not a difficult modification to cover the hole and make it even safer.

 

[Pete999]

We stayed in a caravan in the last few days which had this fixed air blown heater underneath a wardrobe.

Inside the wardrobe the heater has a 13A mains plug with a PAT test sticker from 2012.

The switch on the front has been broken off and somebody has put in a block connected internally so it's hard wired to always be on.

There are potentially live and hazardous wires reachable through the hole and the caravan sites electrician didn't bat an eyelid and said that the device had previously been tested 'by accident' and didn't need testing as it's a fixed appliance.

There was another identical heater that wasn't broken but also had a PAT test sticker from 2012. Despite all this the caravan site was happy for us to continue our holiday there. We packed up early and came hone.

Does anybody have any thoughts on this?

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All you can do is report it to the owner in writing, and keep a copy for yourself, just in case.

 

[logik1]

It had been wired in such a way that the only way to turn the heater on and off was to use the switch on the 13A socket.

What worries me though is the exposed access to the wires which nobody seemed to think was a problem. There was talk of gaffer tape and maybe ordering a blanking plate but that was about it.

 

[telectrix]

talk should have been about ordering a new switch.

 

[logik1]

Couold somebody answer YES/NO as to if this appliance should have been kept up to date and PAT tested?

I'm of the opinion that it should and that it would have failed on a visual inspection alone.

 

[Pete999]

Yes of course it should as per ISITEE Code of Practice

 

[Kernewek57]

Yes of course it should as per ISITEE Code of Practice

I think I would of just enjoyed the Holiday Break.

 

[Bobster]

What you're really asking is can you wangle a free stay?

 

[telectrix]

What you're really asking is can you wangle a free stay?

SURE YOU'RE NOT A SCOUSER?

 

[Bobster]

40 miles north of scouse land.

 

[westward10]

Forget about it, I have learnt over the years these people don't give a monkeys so don't get involved.

 

[Specialist]

Think the answers to your questions are:
1) Should it be tested : Yes
2) Should it be kept up to date : Yes
3) Would it fail visual : Yes
4) Is it dangerous with exposed & accessible Live conductors : Yes
But : As has already been stated, All you can really do is write to the site owner & tell them of your concerns. As for whether any notice will be taken or the issue rectified: Going by past experience, I doubt it.