This article is designed to help reader answer the common question “Do I need to have my computers and office equipment test and tagged?“.
In many workplaces, these types of appliances are automatically excluded from the test and tag program due to incorrect intepretation of the terms “fixed equipment” or “stationary equipment” that appear throughout the Australian Standard AS/NZS 3760.
For an appliance to be deemed “fixed” it must be “…fastened to a support, secured in position or otherwise, due to its size and mass, located in a specific location.. … adhesives are not recognized as a means of fastening fixed equipment to a support unless specifically allowed in another Standard“ .
It is not very often we find computer systems bolted to a desk, so unless that was the case they would not be deemed to be fixed in position.
For an appliance to be deemed “stationary”. it must have “… a mass exceeding 18 kg.“ Unless you have some of the original desk top PCs and monitors from the 1970′s or early 80′s it is unlikely they will weight more than 18kgs.
There is a clause within the Standard relating to “fixed equipment” or “stationary equipment” that reads “fixed or stationary equipment connected by flexible cable or flexible cord…… that is not flexed in normal use nor exposed to damage nor is in a hostile environment, does not normally constitute a hazard sufficient to warrant routine in-service electrical safety testing. Accordingly, the testing of such equipment is not required by this Standard” however the context of this clause is that it only relates to appliances that are “hard wired” ie connected to wiring that forms part of the electrical installation (you can’t unplug it). These types of appliances would not normally be test and tagged anyway.
In some workplaces, they exclude their computers and related appliances on the basis they are new and get replaced every three years or so. The Standard does make provision for new-to-service appliances to be excluded but they must have a “new to service” tag applied that details specific information. In much less time than it takes to write up the multiple new-to-service tags that would be required for a typical computer system, a proficient test and tag technician using automated test equipment could test and tag the system properly and provide greater surety over the safety of the appliances. See also our article on new to service appliances.
The key issue is that computers etc are usually considered low risk appliances due mainly to them not being moved about much and the environment they are used in and therefore given a longer retest interval. Where a computer is located in a “hostile environment”, then the retest interval must be in alignment with other appliances in the same environment.
So the message is that in most instances, computers and related appliances should be test and tagged on a regular basis, even if they are used in a non-hostile environment. In the end, the decision is up to the owner or responsible person to decide and if they are excluded, it would be prudent to undertake and document a formal risk assessment . Before doing that, you should read the Standard and fully understand all the provisions for exclusions and the related definitions of terms used.
This information is general in nature, should be used as a guide only and read in conjunction with the relevant
Standard(s) including AS/NZS 3760,State and/or Federal Legislation, Codes of Practice and Industry Standards specific to your workplace. A proper risk assessment should be under taken before acting on the information provided in this document or any related material. Further information can also be obtained from your local Workplace Authority, Electrical Safety Authority or a suitably qualified persons.
Copyright © 2011 Acme Test and Tagging Pty Ltd
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
How often should computers be tagged?
Lucy, it would depend on the environment they are used in.
Refer to Table 4 of AS3760. This shows retest intervals of between 6 months and 5 years could be applied depending on the environment it is used in and if it is subjected to abuse ( I mean physical abuse not swearing or cursing).
A six month retest interval could apply where it is situated in a dirty workshop or factory.
A period of up to 5 years could apply in an office.
My view is even in a clean office environment a 5 year term is too long. A lot of offices get them done every 2 or 3 years.