Schools must provide safe premises for students, staff and visitors. Electrical safety is part of maintaining compliant, well-managed facilities.
Backed by 20+ years in education, we understand school operations and work with minimal disruption.
For School Administration Managers (SAMs), understanding Test & Tag obligations supports both day-to-day operations and long-term compliance planning.
Planning your school's next Test & Tag cycle? We provide compliant, after-hours testing with clear digital reporting for NSW and ACT schools.
Who Manages Electrical Compliance in Schools
The School Administration Manager typically coordinates maintenance, contractors, budgets and compliance decisions.
This role often includes scheduling servicing, managing WHS documentation, liaising with insurers and preparing for internal or external audits.
Understanding what proper Test & Tag involves allows SAMs to evaluate contractors, manage expectations and maintain defensible records.
Why Schools Are a High-Use Electrical Environment
Schools operate large volumes of shared electrical devices. Equipment moves constantly between rooms, classes and users.
Laptop trolley chargers, USB chargers, classroom technology, canteen appliances and TAS/workshop equipment all contribute to high electrical load and frequent handling.
Wear and tear occurs faster than many expect. Cords are pulled, devices are dropped and plugs are handled repeatedly throughout each term.
This environment creates ongoing electrical safety considerations that must be managed systematically.
What AS/NZS 3760 Requires
AS/NZS 3760 is the Australian and New Zealand Standard for in-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment.
It requires visual inspection, electrical testing, tagging and record keeping for portable electrical equipment.
Testing intervals depend on the equipment class and operating environment. Schools typically require testing every 12 months for most classroom and office equipment.
The standard specifies measurable electrical tests including earth continuity, insulation resistance and polarity verification.
Schools should also consider RCD safety switch testing as part of a comprehensive electrical safety program for fixed installations.
What Proper Test & Tag Looks Like in a School
Compliant testing requires each item to be unplugged, visually inspected and electrically tested — not just tagged.
The technician examines cords for damage, checks plug condition, inspects strain relief and tests internal safety mechanisms.
Calibrated Portable Appliance Testers (PAT) measure electrical safety parameters. Items that pass receive a compliance tag. Items that fail are removed from service.
Tagging without testing provides no safety value and does not meet the standard's requirements.