Electrical Safety in Motels & Accommodation – What Should You Be Checking?

Guests expect the electrical equipment in their room to be safe, whether they're plugging in a bedside lamp, making a cup of tea, using a heater or climbing into a bed fitted with an electric blanket.

For motel, hotel and other accommodation operators, electrical safety is also part of providing a safe environment for guests and staff. With a large number of appliances spread across multiple rooms, kitchens, laundries and housekeeping areas, keeping track of equipment can quickly become difficult.

What Electrical Equipment Should You Be Checking?

Accommodation properties can contain a surprisingly large amount of electrical equipment, including:

• Electric blankets

• Kettles and jugs

• Bedside lamps

• Televisions and monitors

• Heaters and fans

• Microwave ovens

• Toasters and other kitchen appliances

• Extension leads and power boards

• Vacuum cleaners and housekeeping equipment

• Laundry and maintenance equipment

Different equipment and environments can require different inspection and testing approaches, so applying one testing interval to everything isn't necessarily appropriate.

Electric Blankets Deserve Particular Attention

Electric blankets are subjected to folding, movement, storage and repeated use. Damage to internal heating elements, controllers, leads or connections isn't always obvious from looking at the blanket.

MegaTest electric blanket inspections combine electrical safety testing with a physical inspection and thermographic assessment to help identify damaged or abnormal heating elements.

For accommodation providers supplying electric blankets to guests, having a regular inspection programme provides an additional level of assurance before those blankets go back onto beds.

For more information about electric blanket safety, including inspection and testing requirements, visit our NZ Test Group Knowledge Library guide to AS/NZS 60335.2.17 – Electric Blankets & Heating Appliances.

Don't Forget the Microwave

A microwave oven requires more than a normal electrical safety test.

Along with electrical testing, microwave ovens should be inspected for the condition of the door, hinges and seals, with specialised equipment used to check for microwave radiation leakage.

MegaTest can complete both the electrical safety inspection and microwave leakage testing as part of the same visit.

For further information about microwave oven safety, inspection and leakage testing, explore our NZ Test Group Knowledge Library guide to AS/NZS 60335.2.25 – Microwave Oven Safety & Testing.

What About Test & Tag?

AS/NZS 3760 provides a framework for the in-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment.

The appropriate inspection and testing frequency depends on factors including the type of equipment, how it is used and the environment in which it operates.

This is why a sensible electrical safety programme should consider the actual risks rather than simply applying the same testing frequency to every appliance on the property.

For further information about electrical equipment inspection and testing requirements, explore our NZ Test Group Knowledge Library guide to AS/NZS 3760:2022 – Electrical Equipment Testing & Compliance.

Electrical Safety in Motels – What About RCD Protection?

Residual Current Devices (RCDs) provide additional protection against electric shock by disconnecting the electricity supply when certain electrical faults occur.

WorkSafe NZ recognises that, under Regulation 26 of the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010, RCD protection can form part of an alternative electrical safety approach for equipment provided for guests in motels and similar accommodation facilities.

However, this does not automatically remove inspection and testing responsibilities for all electrical equipment, particularly equipment used principally by employees.

Accommodation operators should understand which requirements apply to their particular property and equipment.

For further information, read WorkSafe NZ – Electrical Equipment Safety in Motel and Similar Accommodation Facilities.

Keeping Good Records

Testing isn't just about putting a tag on an appliance.

Maintaining an equipment register provides accommodation operators with a record of what has been inspected, when it was tested, its location and the result.

This can make ongoing electrical safety management considerably easier, particularly across properties containing large numbers of guest rooms and appliances.

Electrical Safety Without the Hassle

MegaTest, a division of NZ Test Group, provides appliance electrical testing and compliance solutions for businesses throughout Christchurch and Canterbury.

We can help accommodation operators develop a practical testing programme covering guest-room appliances, electric blankets, microwave ovens, housekeeping equipment and other workplace electrical equipment.

Safe equipment. Clear records. Sensible testing.

MegaTest | Appliance Electrical Testing

NZ Test Group – Verification & Compliance – One Test At A Time.