Servicing & Testing
Equipment Maintenance & Testing
Shield Environmental Services Ltd is able to offer a wide range of services to support our clients and partners regarding testing services, these include:
• PAT Testing of Electrical Equipment
• Face Fit Testing
• Mask Leak Testing
• Mask Maintenance
• Air Flow Testing to Negative Pressure Units
• HEPA Filter DOP Tests
• Maintenance of Vacuums & Negative Pressure Units
• Decontamination of Vacuums & Negative Pressure Units
PAT Testing of Electrical Equipment
The UK Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) state at regulation 4(1): “Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is so constructed or adapted as to be suitable for the purpose for which is used or provided”
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 state at regulation 4(2): “As may be necessary to prevent danger, all systems shall be maintained so as to prevent so far as reasonably practicable, such danger”
This means employers must ensure that all electrical equipment is safe, suitable for purpose and is properly maintained. The scope of the legislation covers everything from small portable equipment i.e. hand drills to fixed 400 kV distribution systems.
At Shield our trained Technicians are able to identify electrical defects using our PAT testing machine to test the performance of your electrical equipment.
We will ensure that your equipment is labelled, dated and certificated.
Test dates will be recorded on our data base enabling us to monitor when the equipment is due for retesting.
We are able to offer you this service either at your premises, on site or at our testing facility.
At SES we understand the importance of ensuring that your equipment is tested and returned to service promptly, minimising unnecessary downtime and hire costs.
Face Fit Testing of Masks
Employers have a duty to ensure that they provide the correct Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE) and it is suitable; it must be matched to the job, the environment, the anticipated airborne contaminant exposure level, and the wearer.
As people come in all sorts of shapes and sizes it is unlikely that one particular type, or size of RPE face piece, will fit everyone. Fit testing will help ensure that the equipment selected is suitable for the wearer.
To ensure that the selected RPE has the potential to provide adequate protection for individual wearers, the Approved Codes of Practice supporting COSHH, CAR and CLAW stipulate that tight-fitting RPE must be fit tested as part of the selection process. This will help to ensure that inadequately fitting face pieces are not selected for use. Ill-fitting face pieces can create inward leakages of airborne contaminants.
At Shield our Face fit testing is carried out by our in-house Testing Engineer who is accredited under the ‘Fit2Fit’ RPE Fit Test Providers Scheme. This Scheme has been developed by the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) together with industry stakeholders and is supported by HSE.
Face fit testing must be repeated in the following circumstances:
• On changing to a new type of mask
• Following significant changes in facial characteristics such as weight gain or loss.
• Also after surgery to the face or if the person’s jaw has been broken.
• At regular intervals and it is good practice to have this undertaken annually.
Maintenance & Mask Leak Testing
RPE must be maintained to ensure that it continues to give the degree of protection for which it was designed. Maintenance includes cleaning, examination, testing, repair and replacement. It is a statutory requirement to carry out regular inspections of all re-usable respiratory equipment and to keep records of these checks. This must be undertaken on a monthly basis for all Face Fit tested RPE.
All RPE should be inspected by a “Competent Person” every month and the records are to be maintained for five years and be available for inspection by the enforcing authority if required. Only persons who have attended a course in ‘Inspection of RPE’ are permitted to undertake monthly RPE Checks.
RPE needs to undergo full maintenance at least once every six months, this will ensure that any worn valves, face seals and other worn or damaged parts on respirators are replaced regularly.
HEPA Filter DOP Tests
The test is used to detect leaks in HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters in their operational conditions. The test is intended to test the filter and seals by testing the integrity of the filter, ensuring that all air entering the controlled environment passes through the HEPA filtration system.
The testing method uses an aerosol which is dispersed upstream of the filter and the downstream face and seals of the filter are scanned for leaks.
The purpose of HEPA filters in controlled environments is to control particles and microbes so that environmental standards can be maintained.
Shield’s Testing Engineer is trained in and familiar with the following:
• The requirements of BS EN ISO 14644-3 (B.6)
• The requirements of PD6609:2007.
• Correct use of the photometer and aerosol generator used.
• Current GMP requirements.
• Good clean-room practice.
Maintenance of Vacuums and Negative Presure Units
All H type vacuums and Negative Pressure Units (NPU’s) are to be regularly maintained, inspected and tested at intervals dictated by legislation or by the equipment manufacturer. Maintenance must only be undertaken by those who have received adequate instruction, information and training and are considered to be competent to undertake maintenance procedures. Routine maintenance includes the periodic lubrication, inspection and testing of the equipment based on recommendations from the manufacturer or legal requirements.
If you would like any further information regarding any of the services listed above please contact:
- Mark Scott
Test Engineer
Email: markscott@shieldenvironmental.co.uk
Mobile: 07770 830933
- Jon House
Technical Manager
Email: jonhouse@shieldenvironmental.co.uk
Mobile: 07721 386238
